Mr Fisk tops Reincarnate in Baffert Hollywood Gold Cup (G2) exacta
Mr Fisk collared front-running Reincarnate in the final furlong and went on to win Monday’s Hollywood Gold Cup (G2) to give Bob Baffert a 1-2 finish in the historic 1 ¼-mile race.
Mr Fisk is Baffert’s 10th Gold Cup winner and gave the Hall of Fame trainer his 350th Santa Anita stakes race win overall.
Reincarnate broke the better of the two stablemates, and after getting squeezed along the rail by the fast-starting, Subsandador (ARG) in the first furlong, Reincarnate came through to take the lead the first time past the finish line. With Juan Hernandez aboard, Reincarnate led the way through six furlongs in 1:12.19 and had a one-length lead after a mile in 1:36.88.
Mr Fisk, meanwhile, was making his way forward from his early spot in the back half of the field and was boxed in just behind Reincarnate all the way around the final turn. He found an opening to the outside at the top of the stretch, then powered past Reincarnate to win by 2 ¼-lengths in 2:03.01 on a fast track.
“I knew they weren’t going very fast, and he was in a good spot,” said Baffert. “Reincarnate when he gets a lead, he’s tough. He showed up. I’m proud of them both.”
Mr Fisk was pulled up after the race and vanned back to his barn, but Baffert reported later that the four-time stakes winner will be fine.
“Mr Fisk is resting comfortably in his stall, ready for dinner,” Baffert reported on X. “He has a condylar fracture and will have surgery [Tuesday]. His prognosis is excellent. Jockey Kazushi Kimura took great care of his horse.”
Mr Fisk is owned by his breeder Sunny Brook Stables and is 5-2-0 in 11 starts.