American Anthem a game winner in San Carlos

ARCADIA, Calif. – On a day when Justify was feted at Santa Anita for his recent Triple Crown, several members of the team behind the famous colt won another stakes when American Anthem edged 42-1 St. Joe Bay in the Grade 2 San Carlos Stakes for sprinters.

American Anthem is owned by WinStar Farm, Head of Plains Partners, China Horse Club, and SF Racing. The 4-year-old American Anthem is trained by Bob Baffert and was ridden by Mike Smith. WinStar, Head of Plains, and China Horse Club own Justify with Starlight Racing.

American Anthem ($3.80) earned the victory in the $251,035 San Carlos Stakes. Smith had American Anthem near pacesetter St. Joe Bay for the first half-mile before taking a half-length lead with a furlong remaining.

As quickly as American Anthem looked certain to win, St. Joe Bay fought back to get within a head at the wire, which could easily have been described as a short head. American Anthem was timed in 1:22.12 and earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 105.

“I wanted to keep pressure on that horse and I’m glad I did,” Smith said of St. Joe Bay.

St. Joe Bay, who was claimed for $62,500 on May 28, was the longest shot in the field of eight. Horse Greedy (18-1) finished third, 1 3/4 lengths behind American Anthem. St. Joe Bay and Horse Greedy are trained by John Sadler for Pete and Kosta Hronis.

“Horse Greedy ran huge,” Sadler said. “He got left at the start. It was a good race for both horses.”

El Huerfano finished fourth, followed by Dabster, Stone Hands, Touching Rainbows, and Top of the Game.

American Anthem has won 5 of 10 starts and earned $673,945. A colt by Bodemeister, American Anthem has won three stakes, all seven-furlong races. Last year, American Anthem won consecutive stakes for 3-year-olds – the Grade 3 Lazaro Barrera Stakes at Santa Anita and the Grade 2 Woody Stephens Stakes at Belmont Park.

After finishing third in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Sprint Championship last October, American Anthem did not race again until he won an allowance race with an $80,000 claiming option at Churchill Downs on June 1, his only start this year.

This was the first stakes win for Baffert and Smith since Justify won the Belmont Stakes on June 9. Justify was paraded before an ontrack audience of 17,403 early Saturday afternoon.

In the winner’s circle on Saturday, Baffert praised Smith’s ride on American Anthem.

“Mike Smith won that race for us,” he said. “That’s why they call him big money Mike.”