Trainer Bob Baffert began mapped out plans for a quartet of the stable's winners at Santa Anita last weekend, including the highly-regarded 3-year-olds Barnes (Into Mischief) and Rodriguez (Authentic), in addition to older horse Mirahmadi (Into Mischief) and Chilean champion juvenile filly Richi (Chi) (Practical Joke).
A $3.2-million Fasig-Tipton Saratoga purchase, Barnes took the GII San Vicente, while Rodriguez ran away with a TDN Rising Star-earning performance going a mile. Mirahmadi annexed an eight-furlong optional claimer and Richi recorded her first stateside victory in the six-panel GIII Las Flores Stakes.
“I thought I had a great shot to win four races, but we had to get lucky,” reflected Baffert. “I've thought that before and I've been lucky to get one or instead I got a donut. We got great rides yesterday and good racing luck. It was great to win for these clients who continue to support us and it really raises the morale of all the people who work so hard in the barn.
“I was happy with Barnes. [Owner] Amr [Zedan] had to stretch to buy him, and I really made him stretch, but he's a very good horse. We're going to nominate everywhere and take a look.”
Regarding Eclipse finalist and favorite Citizen Bull (Into Mischief), Baffert added, “Citizen Bull and a couple of the others will point for the GIII Robert B. Lewis here on Feb. 1.”
Barnes, who was named after Baffert's longtime assistant Jimmy Barnes, was purchased by Zedan for $3.2 million at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling sale. Baffert suggested to Zedan that they name the horse in Barnes' honor after the assistant trainer told Baffert they better find a good name for the horse because he was training so well. He didn't tell Barnes about the name until one day he handed him a halter with the name plate already engraved and gave it to the assistant to put on the colt.
“Rodriguez was very impressive going two turns and he showed us what we expected. Mirahmadi has always been a good horse, but he's had some tough luck. He'll point to the Big 'Cap (Santa Anita Handicap Mar. 1).”
Baffert won the 2024 Santa Anita Handicap with Newgate for the same ownership group as Citizen Bull, Rodriguez and Mirahmadi. The partnership is known as the Avengers and consists primarily of SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Stonestreet Stables, Dianne Bashor, Tom Royan, Robert Masterson, Waves Edge Capital and Catherine Donovan. Determined Stables appears on the ownership line of Rodriguez as well.
Richi, who is now owned by John Sikura's Hill 'n' Dale and Stud Vendaval, was making her second start in the United States. The win came over the Baffert-trained Pleasant (Munnings), who was sent off as the 1-5 favorite following a third-place finish in the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint in November.
“Richi will be pointed for the [GI] Beholder Mile [in March]. She should stretch out fine. Pleasant was just a little rusty, but she'll stick around here,” said Baffert.
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