ARCADIA, Calif.–With two pivotal scratches earlier in the day, Cezanne was dispatched as the heavy odds on favorite in Saturday’s Grade II, $200,000 San Carlos Stakes at Santa Anita and he ran to the betting, shrugging off a pair of challengers turning for home en route to a decisive 2 ½ length victory under Flavien Prat. Trained by Bob Baffert, the 5-year-old son of Curlin got seven furlongs in 1:23.45.
With Canadian Pride showing the way by a half length to the far turn, Cezanne was an attentive second between horses, with eventual runner-up Principe Carlo to his outside. Turning for home, Cezanne asserted control and the San Carlos was never in doubt from the three sixteenths pole home.
“I was traveling well and he responded well when it was time to make a move,” said Prat. “Bob was telling me he was going to be really sharp today, and that was the case. I thought I was in a good spot towards the end, and he gave himself a very good chance to win the race.”
A 9 ¾ length winner of the Grade II Kona Gold Stakes two starts back on April 18, 2021, Cezanne ran an even third as the 3-5 favorite in his comeback race, the Grade III Palos Verdes Stakes on Jan. 29.
“We missed our timing with him,” said Baffert. “He had a few setbacks, otherwise he would have been in the Big ‘Cap. He’s a good handicap horse. He showed his class. I think he is a mile and a quarter horse. We’ll keep him going and look toward the Breeders’ Cup Classic. I like what I saw today…”
With defending San Carlos champ Brickyard Ride scratching this morning, Baffert followed suit with his class Eight Rings, which helped Cezanne to assume the post time favorite’s mantle of 3-5 in a field of six older horses.
Owned by Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith and St. Elias Stable, Cezanne paid $3.20, $2.60 and $2.10.
Out of the Bernardini mare Achieving, Cezanne picked up his second graded stakes victory and $120,000, increasing his earnings to $267,000 from an overall mark of 6-4-0-1.
Ridden by Kyle Frey, a valiant Principe Carlo, who came off a nose starter allowance win at 6 ½ furlongs, was off at 16-1 and paid $7.00 and $3.40.
Canadian Pride finished another six lengths back and stayed for third money, returning $2.20 to show.
Fractions on the race were 22.67, 45.42 and 1:10.47.
Santa Anita Press Release
Photo: Cezanne (Benoit Photo)
