Monday, September 26, 2022
Bob Baffert captured the top two spots in Sunday’s Capote S. at Los Alamitos when Hard to Figure bested his stablemate Massimo by three lengths in the 6 ½-furlong contest for 2-year-olds (WATCH RACE).
Hard to Figure, who was still a maiden, stalked pacesetter Flame Rider for the first half-mile, with Massimo close behind. Hard to Figure took the lead in the upper stretch before pulling clear in the final furlong to defeat his stablemate in 1:15.91 on a fast track.
“I put the horse in the best spot,” winning rider Ramon Vazquez said. “He relaxed on the backstretch. He let me do my job.”
Hard to Figure races for the partnership of Mike Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman has earned $61,200. His prior two maiden defeats came at the hands of two other Baffert trainees: Carmel Road and Newgate.