Drill gives Baffert record seventh San Vicente S. (G2) victory

Sunday | February 19, 2012


Drill (red and yellow silks) outduels American Act (right) and Creative Cause in the San Vicente S.

Drill’s game win in the $150,000 San Vicente S. (G2) Feb. 19 at Santa Anita Park kept the Bob Baffert stable on a torrid streak with 3-year-olds of late. The win also marked a record seventh time Baffert has won the seven furlong race, most recently last year with The Factor.

Drill got a measure of vindication in the San Vicente. As a 2-year-old, he won the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity but has yet to duplicate that performance in five subsequent races, though he did finish second in the Norfolk S. (G1) last Oct. at Santa Anita.

The pace in the San Vicente was set by American Act, with Drill in close pursuit down the backstretch. He came to the front-runner entering the final quarter mile. That duo dueled the remainder of the race, with Drill prevailing on the outside by a nose in 1:21.28.

“We actually thought he was going to run really well last time,” Baffert said. “Last time he broke a little slow and was behind, then he took him to the outside and then he flattened out.” Of his charge’s effort in the San Vicente, Baffert added, “It worked out today with a shorter field (four horses). He got to the outside where he was clear. Martin (winning rider Garcia) did a great job of slowing the pace down. He fired his race and it’s nice to see him back. We just got the jump on everybody, so that really helped. Today he was more relaxed in the race and he got an easy trip, that helped too.”


“I don’t know what made the difference today, I guess he just wanted to run,” added Garcia. “He’s a really good horse so I don’t know what happened in his last races, but he put everything together today. The finish was close but I was confident I got the win.”

Owned by Mike Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman, Drill earned $90,000 for the win and upped his lifetime earnings to $339,710.

Despite the Derby prep race victory, Baffert is not looking to the Triple Crown at this point. “He’d have to prove something to me going long. He’s one-turn right now. In time he might be able to do it because he’s learned to relax.”

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