Zedan Racing Stables' Barnes (c, 2, Into Mischief–All American Dream, by American Pharoah), a $3.2-million FTSAUG yearling, made trainer Bob Baffert's return to Churchill Downs a winning one Wednesday when just getting his head in front of Innovator (Authentic) on the line. The 1-5 favorite was hustled out of the gate, but was taken in hand and settled off the pace when Luis Saez, aboard Innovator, proved intent on gaining the early lead. Innovator was in front through the quarter in :21.90 with the heavy favorite buried in traffic along the rail. Barnes found clear sailing into the stretch, but was still two lengths back and drifting out as the half went up in :44.73. He finally straightened up and closed rapidly, despite being on the wrong lead, to just overtake Innovator in the final jump. It was 10 1/2 lengths back to Sinister Smile (Practical Joke) in third. The time for the 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:02.97.
Baffert, making his return to Churchill after his three-year ban at the track was lifted in July, admitted he was happy to be back at the Louisville oval and was even looking ahead to a return next May.
“Hopefully, we will keep him healthy and hopefully we are here the first Saturday in May,” Baffert said from the winner's circle.
Breeders Jeff Drown and Don Rachel campaigned Barnes's dam All American Dream, who was unplaced in two starts. The seven-figure yearling is the mare's first foal. She also has a yearling colt by Essential Quality and a weanling filly by Flightline and she was bred back to Into Mischief this year. The 7-year-old mare is a daughter of A. P. Dream (A.P. Indy) and a granddaughter of multiple Grade I winner Dream Supreme (Seeking the Gold), who also produced Majestic Warrior.
7th-Churchill Downs, $120,765, Msw, 11-27, 2yo, 5 1/2f, 1:02.97, ft, head.
BARNES (c, 2, Into Mischief–All American Dream, by American Pharoah) Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $69,000. O-Zedan Racing Stables, Inc.; B-Jeff Drown and Don Rachel, LLC (KY); T-Bob Baffert. *$3,200,000 Ylg '23 FTSAUG. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
In a photo finish, the buzz horse BARNES comes out on top on debut in R7 at @churchilldowns for trainer Bob Baffert with Martin Garcia aboard! 🤩
🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/SrvH6kCVHA
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) November 27, 2024
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