Bob Baffert has two strong chances to win his sixth edition of the GIII Sham S. Saturday with Authentic (Into Mischief) and Azul Coast (Super Saver). A $350,000 KEESEP buy, Authentic graduated at first asking sprinting at Del Mar Nov. 9, earning an 87 Beyer Speed Figure in the process. His stablemate Azul Coast also donned cap and gown at first asking, albeit going a mile at Los Alamitos Dec. 8.
The Richard Baltas-trained Taishan (Twirling Candy) boasts the second highest Beyer in the field, registering an 81 for his second-out graduation over track and trip Nov. 3. Baltas also saddles Uncaptured Hero (Uncaptured), who broke his maiden at second asking in a $100,000 maiden claiming event at Del Mar Nov. 9.
Rounding out the field are Zimba Warrior (Khozan), who was third in the GIII Bob Hope S. Nov. 16, and Scoring (Justin Phillip), who crossed the line second in his June 16 unveiling here, but was promoted to first via DQ.
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