Only four 3-year-olds faced the starting gate on January 29 San Vicente Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita, coach Bob Baffert had a good chance for Trifecta. After all, he coaches three out of four. And that’s exactly what happened, like Havnamemeldown defeated Faustin and Fort Warren in a seven race race.
Baffert said that both Faustin and Fort Warren wanted two turns, while Havnameltdown was “built for this distance.” So the results don’t surprise many people. Bettors eliminated Havnameltdown and Faustin by even money, with Havnameltdown listed as favorites. Fort Warren is 4.90-1.
Havnameltdown pulled the rails and went right to the front for driver Juan Hernandez. child man The only horse not trained by Baffert, ran second, followed by Faustin on the tracks and Fort Warren following.
As the compact pitch turns for the turn, Faustin moves into second and maybe a step or two looks like he can challenge Havnameltdown. However, Hernandez simply let out a scream, and Havnameltdown kept daylight between him and his steady friend.
“He’s happy to be out there,” Hernandez said. “He was waiting for the horse – I was doing the same. I was just waiting for him and waiting for the competition to get close to me so I could start running my horse. At three-eighths, I felt a little pressured. and I asked him and he answered very well. Back home, he changed the instructions and picked it up himself.”
At one point in the stretch, Havnameltdown pulled out a three-length margin, but when Hernandez didn’t push his mount, the foal reached the rope 1/2 length before Faustin. Havnameltdown stopped the timer at 1:22.29 after setting the fractions to :22.46, :45,46 and 1:09.67. Fort Warren finished 8 3/4 of the length behind Faustin in third.
“I think Havnameltdown is a top sprinter,” Baffert said. “He’s trained really well for this. He’s experienced and he’s fast.”
Havnameltdown won four of five races by one second, all in five, six or seven distances. Last year, he debuted in a five-feathered maiden race at Del Marwon a six-pin Best Pal Stake (G3) and a seven-pin Bob Hope Stake (G3) at that track, and in between those two stakes finished second behind Baffert-trained Baffert stone cave in Del Mar Futurity (G1) seven long feathers.
Baffert said he will keep Havnameltdown at sprint, while Faustin and Fort Warren will stretch.
“Faustin still has a lot of weight — he hasn’t reached that goal yet,” says Baffert. “I think racing will help him, so he’ll be fine.”
Faustin and Fort Warren are the sons of make for curly while Havnameltdown is by uncaught get out Put it back mare Baby Ashley . Baffert trains Havnameltdown for Mike Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman.
The owners purchased Havnameltdown under the name Three Amigos from Blas Perez Stable for $200,000 at Ocala Breeders’ Sales Spring 2022 sale for 2-year-olds. Katherine S. Devall bred Havnameltdown in Florida, and Perez bought it for $16,000 at OBS’s October 2021 annual sale from Beth Bayer’s consignment.
Videotapes: San Vicente S. (G2)
