Greenwich Village takes Pasadena S. for second straight stakes win

Greenwich Village got his nose in front of Medici in the final stride to win a thrilling renewal of the Pasadena S. Feb. 23 at Santa Anita Park.

The win marked the second stakes win in a row for the 3-year-old colt, who took the Jan. 25 Baffle S. in his first turf start for trainer Bob Baffert.

Going two turns for the first time, Greenwich Village was in a tight spot in fourth going into the first turn. He had to check off heels early on the backstretch, then held his spot as he settled into stride. He went three-wide around the turn and was second behind Medici turning for home. Medici was strong on the front, but could not hold off the late charge of Greenwich Village, who won by a nose. It was just a neck back to third-place finisher Iriseach (IRE) in the tight three-horse photo.

“I just love the fact that when he turned for home he found another gear,” Baffert said. “Stretching him out (further) won’t be a problem.”

Baffert added Greenwich Village could make his next start on the synthetic track at Turfway Park in the GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks on March 21, which awards qualifying points to the Kentucky Derby (G1).

Owned by SF Racing, LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, LLC, Stonestreet Stables, LLC, Bashor Racing, LLC, Determined Stables, Golconda Stable, Waves Edge Capital, LLC and Catherine Donovan, Greenwich Village has won three of four starts and earned $151,000.