
Baffert-bred Misremembered wins Swaps (G2)
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Misremembered, a 3-year-old son of Candy Ride bred, trained and owned in partnership by Bob Baffert, scored a front-running victory in the $300,000 Swaps S. (G2) on July 18th at Hollywood Park, giving Baffert his record-tying fourth Swaps triumph.
The rangy chestnut broke on top of the field of seven and dictated terms early, clipping through fractions of 24.44, 49.18 and six furlongs in 1:12.83 under the crafty handling of Victor Espinoza. When the field hit the top of the stretch, Espinoza and Misremembered were in prime position following those comfortable fractions, and they took full advantage straightening for home.
Misremembered spurted away from his rivals, including Grazen – the Swaps favorite and winner of last month’s Affirmed H. over Misremembered. The tables would be turned and it was Team Baffert hitting the wire first this time, defeating Grazen by 1 ¾ lengths. The final time was 1:49.02 for 1 1/8 miles over the local Cushion Track, earning Misremembered a career-high 101 Beyer Speed Figure for the performance.
“He was ready today,” said Espinoza. “I wanted to get out of there fast. I was planning to go to the front. He’s a free-running horse and I wanted to take it to (Grazen) early. After three-quarters they were going to have to come running because with those fractions I knew he was going to be hard to beat.”
For Baffert, it marked his record-tying fourth Swaps victory as a trainer, as he won the coveted race for 3-year-olds back-to-back years in 2000 & 2001 with Captain Steve and Congaree, respectively, and in 2003 with During. But as an owner and breeder, it was his first.
“It’s exciting. I’ve never had a horse like this, all our horses are terrible,” Baffert joked, referencing his personal breeding program. “He was coming into this race in great shape and he’s going to get better with age.”
The late-developing Misremembered notched his first stakes win and third overall victory from five starts, including that runner-up effort in last month’s Affirmed (G3). He moved his earnings to $259,200 for Bob & Jill Baffert and long-time owner & partner George Jacobs. Misremembered was bred from the Baffert-owned Quack mare Beyond Perfection.
Credit: Benoit photo

