Capital Account wore down stablemate Coil in the final furlong to win the $250,000 Pat O’Brien S. (G2) Sunday at Del Mar. The win was Baffert's fourth straight victory in the O'Brien, a race he has now won a record six times.
Always within striking distance of the lead as Don Tito, Camp Victory and Coil dueled on a slow pace, Capital Account moved into serious contention entering the stretch from the outside and proved best in a long drive, prevailing by a half-length over Coil, the 3-2 favorite under Rafael Bejarano.
“He broke just a shade slow, but there was no rush,” said jockey David Flores. “I had a feeling there wasn’t going to be a lot of pace and I just wanted to stay close. You can put him where you want him and he’s easy to work with. When it came time I asked him and he gave me a big response. A very good race for him.”
Capital Account, a five-year-old son of Closing Argument owned by The Thoroughbred Legends Stable of John Hardy III and Olin Gentry, stepped the seven furlongs in 1:21.56, with a final quarter in a blazing 22.68.
“Capital Account, we knew that seven-eighths would be better for him. He’s all racehorse,” said Baffert. “Coil really ran well, but Rafael had to use him a little when it looked like (Camp Victory) was making a move. One-two (finish), we’ll take it either way."
Capital Account earned $150,000 for the victory, his fifth in nine starts. He now has a career bankroll of $347,080. He was third in the Bing Crosby S. (G1) July 29.
Baffert said Capital Account will be targeted for the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) in early November at Santa Anita Park.
Baffert's previous O'Brien wins came with Love That Red (2000), El Corredor (2001), Zensational (2009), El Brujo (2010), and The Factor (2011). This year's O'Brien also marked Baffert's 99th career stakes win at Del Mar, the most of any trainer in the 75 year history of the oceanside track.