Brought to you by Thorostock Training Center
ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 27, 2022)– A troubled second in his U.S. debut, Irish-bred Maglev heads a field of eight sophomores going about 6 ½ furlongs down Santa Anita’s hillside turf course in Sunday’s $75,000 Baffle Stakes.
With several Baffle entrants possessing considerable upside, Irish-bred Shut Up Michael, a maiden turf sprint winner in his second stateside start and speedy Il Capitano both appear to be horses likely of improving off their most recent races.
Trained by Mark Glatt, Maglev, who had one win and two seconds from five English starts, was off as the 2-1 favorite in Santa Anita’s one mile turf Eddie Logan stakes Jan. 2 and was beaten 1 ¼ lengths in a big effort. Away slowly, he saved ground while last to the half mile pole, began moving up steadily around the far turn and although he got through, was in tight quarters at the rail the final sixteenth of a mile, while the winner, Cabo Spirit, was flying three-wide on the far outside.
Owned by Red Baron’s Barn and Rancho Temescal, Maglev will be ridden back by Umberto Rispoli and he appears to be the horse to beat.
Third in his career debut going seven furlongs on turf in England, Shut Up Michael, who is conditioned by Phil D’Amato, was off at 7-2 in a field of 12 in his first stateside start Nov. 28 at Del Mar. Never a factor following a rough beginning going a mile on turf, he finished a well-beaten 11th.
Off as the 2-1 favorite in a six furlong maiden turf race here on Jan. 9, Shut Up Michael finished strongly to win by a half length and appears primed for a top effort stretching out with Flavien Prat back aboard. Owned by CYBT, Jeffery Beyer, Michael Nentwig and Ray Pagano, Shut Up Michael will be making his fourth start.
A one mile gate to wire maiden turf winner when trained by Andrew Lerner in his third start this past Sept. 6, Il Capitano, won his first start for trainer Simon Callaghan, a one mile allowance on synthetic Tapeta at Golden Gate Fields two starts back on Nov. 6 in front-running fashion. Subsequently fifth on Tapeta going one mile in the ungraded Gold Rush Stakes, Il Capitano will sprint for the first time in what will be his seventh overall start on Sunday.
Owned by John DeMaio and Eric Homme, Il Capitano will be ridden for the first time by Joe Bravo, who will try to ration his considerable speed.
THE $75,000 BAFFLE STAKES WITH JOCKEYS & WEIGHTS IN POST POSITION ORDER
Race 9 of 9 Approximate post time 4:30 p.m. PT
- Maglev–Umberto Rispoli–122
- Echosmith–Abel Cedillo–122
- Smuggler’s Run–Juan Hernandez–120
- Olympic Legend–Jose Valdivia, Jr.–120
- Il Capitano–Joe Bravo–122
- Don’t Swear Dave–Mario Gutierrez–120
- Franklin One Star–Kyle Frey–120
- Shut Up Michael–Flavien Prat–120
First post time for a nine-race card on Sunday is at 12:30 p.m. with admission gates opening at 10:30 a.m.
Santa Anita Park Press Release
Benoit Photo
