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Santa Anita Press Box
ARCADIA, Calif.— Silent Law broke like a shot, sped through quick fractions and comfortably held off a late bid from runner-up Practical Dream to win Friday’s $85,000 Anoakia Stakes for 2-year-old fillies going six furlongs at Santa Anita.
From the first crop of classic Tiz the Law, Silent Law improved to 2-for-2 for trainer Bob Baffert and owner CSLR Racing Partners. In her debut Sept. 21 at Los Alamitos, Silent Law aired by 10 lengths when going 5 furlongs. Both of her victories have come under Santa Anita leading rider Juan Hernandez.
Silent Law, who broke from the outside stall, came in slightly after the start and crossed in front of stablemate Casalu, ridden by Martin Garcia. The stewards posted the inquiry sign and reviewed the start but ruled unanimously that there would be no change.
“I broke so fast and I checked that I was clear,” Hernandez said. “If I saw another rider, I would have kept my position, but I checked and I was clear. I understand though, the other filly got scared of my filly, but it is good to see that everyone was safe.”
Silent Law proceeded to set fractions of 21.64, 44.65 and 57.57 for five furlongs before crossing the wire 3 ½ lengths in front with a final time of 1:11.11.
“She’s so fast out of the gate,” Hernandez said. “I went a little quick at the beginning of the race. That’s why she slowed down a little bit the last sixteenth.”
Added Baffert: “I think it was pretty impressive as fast as she went early and kept going. There’s a lot of talent there. We just have to harness the speed a little better.”
To that end, Baffert also said Silent Law would likely race without blinkers next time.
“Maybe that will settle her down.”
Runner-up Practical Dream, trained by Tim Yakteen, won her debut gate-to-wire under Kazushi Kimura when going 5 ½ furlongs at Del Mar Sept. 8. With Antonio Fresu up Friday, Practical Dream tracked Silent Law in second. She inched closer to Silent Law when entering the stretch, but was never able to get closer than two lengths to the eventual winner.
Proud Starlet, also trained by Yakteen and ridden by Umberto Rispoli, finished third with Casalu completing the order of finish.
With no show wagering, Silent Law paid $2.80 and $2.10. Practical Dream paid $3.20 to place.
