Kaleem Shah's Fed Biz flew home late to win the $250,000 Pat O'Brien S. (G2) in track-record time at Del Mar Aug. 25, giving trainer Bob Baffert his fifth win in a row in the race.
The victory comes with an automatic berth in the Breeders's Cup Dirt Mile (G1) Nov. 2 at Santa Anita Park as part of the "Win & You're In" challenge series.
Fed Biz had no early speed, settling near the back of the 12-horse field; meanwhile, No Silent took the early lead before challenged along the rail by Goldencents, winner of the 2013 Santa Anita Derby. Goldencents repelled several challenges and was up a length and a half before shortening stride in the final furlong. Fed Biz came rolling down the middle of the track, collaring Goldencents less than 50 yards from home.
Fed Biz pulled clear to win by a length in 1:21.12, shaving .05 seconds off the Polytrack mark established by Lewis Michael in 2008.
"I just waited for the stretch, then I let him do his own thing," Garcia said. "He knew when to go and he knew what to do."
Fed Biz, a 4-year-old son of Giant's Causeway who Shah purchased for $950,000 at the 2010 Keeneland September yearling sale, won the San Fernando S. (G2) in January. The bay colt, bred in Kentucky by Colts Neck Stables out of the Wild Again mare Spunoutacontrol, was coming off a fourth-place finish in the Eddie Read Stakes (G1) on the Del Mar turf July 20.
Baffert has won the Pat O'Brien a record seven times, beginning with Love That Red in 2000 and El Corredor in 2001. Baffert started his current O'Brien streak with Zensational in 2009, followed by El Brujo (2010), The Factor (2011), and Capital Account (2012).
"That's what happens when you have a horse that loves the surface," Baffert said. "He's a miler, but he loves this surface. He's been working with Paynter and just breezing over it. I told Martin to be patient and hopefully the speed will come back to you. We got a great run today."
Fed Biz's fifth lifetime win in 14 starts was worth $150,000, extending his earnings to $540,496. His previous stakes wins have come in the San Fernando S. (G2) and the El Cajon S.