Arabian Lion gives Baffert another 2-year-old winner

Arabian Lion won a maiden special weight race at six furlongs by a convincing three lengths Sunday at Santa Anita, the latest success by a 2-year-old male for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert.

Ridden by Ramon Vazquez, Arabian Lion ($3.40) set the pace and pulled clear of stablemate Ellwood Blues in the final furlong. Navy Man, a first-time starter trained by Michael McCarthy, finished third, beaten 5 1/4 lengths.

Arabian Lion and Ellwood Blues were both first-time starters by Justify who had worked together in recent weeks.

“I knew those two Justifys were nice colts,” Baffert said.

Owned by Zedan Racing, Arabian Lion was purchased for $600,000 at a 2-year-olds in training sale in Florida in April.

:: Get ready for Santa Anita racing with DRF PPs, Clocker Reports, Picks, and more. Shop Now.

Baffert said he did not have any race plans for Arabian Lion. The next stakes for 2-year-olds in open company in Southern California is the Grade 3 Bob Hope Stakes, a $100,000 race at seven furlongs on Nov. 20 at Del Mar.

Baffert swept the first four positions of the Grade 1 American Pharoah Stakes for 2-year-olds at Santa Anita with Cave Rock, National Treasure, Hejazi, and Gandolfini

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.