Greenwich Village charges late to win Baffle S. in turf debut

Greenwich Village came from last at the top of the stretch to win Sunday’s Baffle S. at Santa Anita Park in the first start on the turf for the Bob Baffert 3-year-old.

After a off-the-board finish in the San Vicente S. (G2) just two weeks prior, Baffert wheeled Greenwich Village back in the 6 ½-furlong race on the downhill turf course. Greenwich Village broke last and spotted the field about four lengths. He was unhurried as the field made their way around the bend and down the hill and was still last of seven as he crossed the turf course.

Moving between and then outside of horses with a furlong to run, Greenwich Village launched his bid and made up four lengths in the last sixteenth, winning by a neck in 1:12.63 on the firm turf.

“After I broke a little slow, I said, ‘Okay I’m going to stay here and make one move,'” said winning rider Juan Hernandez. “Crossing the dirt, he crossed like a professional and he was passing horses. I was like, okay let’s win this race.”

Greenwich Village has now won two of three starts and earned $91,000 in his young career. The bay colt is owned by the group of 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.