Anarchist punches BC Dirt Mile ticket with Pat O'Brien victory
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DEL MAR, Calif. - The score is still lopsided. Anarchist has far more second-place finishes than wins in his 12-race career.
The margin could change over time if Anarchist can repeat his winning performance in Saturday’s Grade 2 Pat O’Brien Stakes at Del Mar.
Anarchist won for the third time in his career, and in his most prestigious race, in the $252,500 Pat O’Brien Stakes, benefiting from an ideal trip in the seven-furlong race.
Ridden by Ramon Vazquez, Anarchist closed from fifth on the backstretch to take the lead on the turn. Sent off favored, Anarchist ($7) led by 1 1/2 lengths in the stretch and won by three-quarters of a length over 33-1 Bye Bye Bobby.
Anarchist was timed in 1:23.21 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 90. The victory gave the 4-year-old colt a fees-paid berth to the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Santa Anita on Nov. 4, although trainer Doug O’Neill said on Sunday that the BC Sprint at six furlongs the same day is more likely.
Anarchist has finished second seven times in his career, including six of his last nine starts. The only non-second-place finish in that span was his first career stakes win in the Grade 3 Jacques Cartier Stakes at six furlongs at Woodbine on May 14.
Vazquez has ridden Anarchist four times in his career, including three second-place finishes. In the Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes at six furlongs at Del Mar on July 29, Anarchist fought for the lead in the stretch and was second by a head to The Chosen Vron.
In the O’Brien, Vazquez chose to move Anarchist into contention on the turn, following what looked to be a favorable move by 5-2 second choice Spirit of Makena. O’Neill had told Vazquez to take a forward position with Anarchist, if the opportunity arose.
“They told me to go a little early,” Vazquez said.
“I liked the position. I had him in a good spot.”
The clear advantage in the stretch was vital. Bye Bye Bobby closed rapidly from last in the field of 10 to be closest to the front at the finish.
“I wish we had more ground to work with,” jockey Drayden Van Dyke said. “I would have liked to have been a little closer, but they were going fast. He wants to get going when he gets going.”
C Z Rocket, the 9-year-old gelding who was second in the BC Sprint in 2020 and 2022, closed from ninth to finish third, beaten 1 3/4 lengths.
“He ran awesome,” trainer Peter Miller said. “It’s hard to make up ground on this track. He ran super.”
Sir Atticus finished fourth, followed by Spirit of Makena, Hoist the Gold, Moose Mitchell, Brickyard Ride, Vivir Con Alegria and Go Joe Won.
Brickyard Ride, the 6-year-old multiple stakes winner, set an early pace of 21.49 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 44.44 for a half-mile, before fading from contention on the turn.
Anarchist, by Distorted Humor, races for Ilium Stables and has earned $460,508. The seven-furlong distance of the Pat O’Brien was his longest win. He won a maiden race at six furlongs at Ellis Park in July 2022 in his final start for trainer Chris Davis. Anarchist did not race again last year after that win. He joined the O’Neill stable last fall.
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