Intrepido earned a road to the Fanduel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile presented by Taa by beating a quartet from Bob Baffert -runners in class 1 $ 300,000 American Pharoah Stakes presented by DK Horse 4 October in Santa Anita Park under Jockeyy.
Owners Ruben Islas and Michele Arthur do not have to travel far when their 2-year-old participates in the Breeders ‘Cup, because they both live in San Diego near the Breeders’ Cup Host Track, del Mar.
“This is so exciting. That horse is special,” said Islas. “Hector had to withdraw him three times. He got stuck. Then to end up against this quality of horses.”
Baffert seemed to have surrounded the race with four of the six horses in the field, and they were all legitimate contenders. Desert Gate, a winner of 8 3/4 length of the grade 3 Best Pal Stakes in Del Mar, was the logical favorite and went at odds of 9-10. INTREPIDO was the fourth choice behind Second-Choice Kristofferson and Third-Choice Plutarch-Beene van de Baffert Barn.
Trainer Jeff Mullins was worried that if Intrepido tried to take the lead in the American Pharoah, he would be “in a dog fight”, the only thing the trainer said he wanted to avoid.
“I just asked Hector:” Do you think this horse can judge? ” He said no problem, “said Mullins.
Desert Gate, driven by Juan Hernandez, was the danger of the lead and indeed begged early in the 1/16-Mijl American Pharoah Stakes while Kristofferson went with him through a first quarter of miles in: 22.83.
“It was a bit of a complicated race in the beginning,” said Berrios. “I tried to go forward, but I saw Juan break first, so I settled in the second. From the first turn I had to fall back a bit.”
It took until the piece before Intrepido Clear Room could find to launch a rally.
“When I made my switch, he replied, although not very strong,” said Berrios. “But when I asked him again, he responded and produced an impressive change of pace and flew the last part.”
DESERT GATE, after fought with Kristofferson, had to contend with Plutarch. Intrepido Timed his movement perfectly from outside, catching those two late late and scoring with three -quarters of a length in 1: 43.67. Desert Gate held up for second place by a nose above Plutarch in third place. Kristofferson faded to last a long time.
Intrepido paid $ 19.60 to win.
Intrepido not only earned a “victory and you are in” reimbursements paid berth for the Breeders ‘Cup Juvenile by the Breeders’ Cup Challenge series, the American Pharoah was also a part of the road to the 2026 Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve and he also earned.
One race before the American Pharoah met Distaff Sprinters in the 6 1/2 Furlong Grade 3 Chillingworth Stakes. Tamara, the 2-5 favorite and a daughter of Hall of Famer Beolder, won the race with 3 3/4 lengths in a time of 1: 15.21. Runner-up Silent Law finished 14 1/2 lengths before third place An Ash.
Mike Smith drove Tamara for trainer Richard Mandella and owner Tointhrift Farm. Tamara, a 4-year-old conceived by Bolt d’Oro, made her first start after she had been away from the races since November 2024.
“I had her ready to run on the opening day of La Brea (December 26),” said Mandella. “She kicked the rail at the training course that got off the track and a sesamoid broken off. She looked pretty good today.”
Mandella said he will point Tamara for the PNC Bank Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint if everything goes well.
Mission of Joy earned her first bet profit since he came to the barn of trainer Phil d’Amato by taking 2 $ 200,000 Rodeo Drive Stakes in Santa Anita on October 4.
The victory gives Mission of Joy an Automatic Breeders ‘Cup Challenge series “Win and You’re in” Berth in the Maker’s Mark Fokers’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf November 1 in Del Mar.
Sixth during most of the 1/4-Mile Rodeo Drive under Jockey Umberto Rispoli, Mission of Joy came up late to beat speed shopper by a head in 2: 00.03. Starry Heavens, also trained by D’Amato, finished third. Mission of Joy paid $ 25.80 to win.
“I think she should absolutely be driven in that European style, just a bit covered,” said D’Amato. “Just timing the run well and bringing her out. I thought Umberto did fantastic work to achieve that today.”
Rispoli added: “She would rather come to horses instead of small holes, and she reacted beautifully today.”
Baffert lost the American Pharoah Stakes, but later came to the map with a large 2-year victory when his anti-fools won the 1/16-Mile grade 2 $ 200,000 Oak Leaf Stakes presented by Oak Tree Racing Association as 2-5 favorite. Explora earned a “victory and you are in” berth in the Netjet’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies next month in Del Mar.
After Explora finished in second place with the Baffert Rouge bottle in the degree 1 del Mar -debutante Stakes on 6 September, Baffert decided to eliminate the blinkers and worked. In the oak leaf, Explora rated in third place in the rear rear for Jockey Juan Hernandez behind the early pace of Himika trained by Baffert. Explora went on the outside in the second turn and took over to pull away for a win of 4 1/4 length in 1: 44.13. La Wally finished second with La Ville Lumiere in third place.
“I tried to get her relaxed because she became too enthusiastic about del Mar,” said Baffert. “She came back and Juan just worked her fun and relaxed. You don’t know if it’s going to work until you see it. When I saw her at the back, I thought:” I hope she is relaxed, “she is relaxing or she doesn’t run.”
When Explora came to the quarterly pole, she explicitly answered that question for Baffert and pulled off to win with a margin of 4 1/4 lengths.
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