Baffert pairs up G2 stakes wins in San Fernando and El Encino

Sunday | January 16, 2011

The Jan. 15-16 weekend at Santa Anita turned into a showcase for Bob Baffert’s southern California stable, with wins in a pair of Grade 2 stakes; the San Fernando S. on Saturday and the El Encino S. on Sunday. Baffert also unveiled first-time starter Da Ruler, a 3-year-old colt who won a 6 1/2-furlong maiden race on Sunday.

In the $150,000 San Fernando, it was actually a Baffert exacta with Indian Firewater finishing a nose in front of stablemate Tweebster (VIDEO). Indian Firewater, at 5-1 the longer price of the Baffert pair, led at every point of call in the nine furlong, which was run in 1:41.53. Indian Firewater was second in the Dec. 26 Sir Beaufort S. (G3) in his previous start, on opening day of the Santa Anita meet.

This was Baffert’s fourth win in the
San Fernando and the first graded stakes win for Indian Firewater.

“Going into this race, we thought we’d let him run away from there and if we made the lead, fine,” said rider Mike Smith. “When I came out to the paddock, they told me Bob had called an audible, and there was a change in strategy – ‘Put him on the lead.’

“Down the backside, he was running easily and he was within himself and breathing really good. I wasn’t sure if we won it because the other horse (Tweebster) was out so wide.”

Gaining his third win in 14 starts for the partnership of Karl Watson, Mike Pegram and Paul Weitman, 4-year-old Indian Firewater earned $90,000 to raise his career earnings to $257,120.

In the $150,000 El Encino, Always a Princess upset heavily favored Blind Luck, scoring by 3 1/2-lengths in 1;41.47 for the 1 1/16 miles (VIDEO). The 4-year-old daughter of Lesroidesanimaux is owned by her breeder, Arnold Zetcher LLC.

“I tried to be on the lead,” winning rider Rafael Bejarano said. “I sent my horse really hard in the beginning. When I saw the No. 1 (Joe Talamo on Champagne d’Oro) rush his horse, I decided to put my horse right next to him. I didn’t want to stay behind him, but next to him, because my horse has a stronger kick.

“When I saw the No. 1 getting tired, I decided to give my horse a little breather before coming to the stretch. After that, I just let her run and she showed me a big kick.”

The win was the fourth in eight starts for Always a Princess, and the winning purse of $90,000 increased her career earnings to $426,048.

Earlier on the Sunday card, Baffert’s 3-year-old colt won his maiden with a gutty performance that saw him rocket through the first half mile on the lead in :43.76 seconds, then lose the top spot in mid-stretch, only to regain the advantage in the last sixteenth of a mile and ultimately finish with a three-quarter length win in 1:14.42.

Da Ruler is also owned by Watson and Weitman Performances LLC, who bred the son of Roman Ruler-Dirty Diana in Kentucky. Baffert trained both the sire and dam of Da Ruler. The victory was worth $32,400.

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