Arabian Lion makes Woody Stephens win look easy
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ELMONT, N.Y. - Welcome back to Belmont Park Bob Baffert.
Making his first local appearance since watching Justify complete a sweep of the Triple Crown with his victory in the Belmont Stakes here five years earlier, Baffert made a triumphant return to New York on Saturday when sending out Arabian Lion to a popular and very impressive 1 3/4-length victory over the previously undefeated Drew’s Gold in the Grade 1 Woody Stephens.
Arabian Lion is the first horse Baffert has raced in New York since March 5, 2022, when Rockefeller finished last in the Gotham. Baffert was barred by NYRA for one year, a ban that ended in late January.
A son of Justify, Arabian Lion had been somewhat of a disappointment for Baffert after breaking his maiden in impressive fashion at first asking last fall at Santa Anita. He started to showcase his talents when a game second to First Mission in the Grade 3 Lexington earlier this spring and followed up that improved performance with an even better one in the 1 1/16-mile Sir Barton at Pimlico on the Preakness undercard by registering an eye-catching four-length victory for which he received a career best 103 Beyer Speed Figure.
Baffert sent Arabian Lion back to Santa Anita immediately after the Sir Barton but saw enough in his training over the next two weeks to ship him back for the seven-furlong Woody Stephens.
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With John Velazquez aboard, Arabian Lion raced well placed while saving ground in behind the pacesetting Federal Judge. He was angled out four wide to launch his bid into the stretch, ran down Drew’s Gold a furlong from home, and edged clear under vigorous handling.
Drew’s Gold, a perfect 4 for 4 coming into his graded stakes debut on Saturday, hopped a bit at the start but recovered quickly to stalk the early pace. Drew’s Gold stuck his head in front coming out of the turn, fought on gamely, but proved no match for the winner while second best by three-quarters of a length over Gilmore.
General Jim, winner of the Grade 2 Pat Day Mile in his previous start and the 5-2 second choice in the Woody Stephens, broke slowest, raced near the rear of the field during the early going and was never a factor, finishing sixth while beaten nearly 17 lengths.
Owned by Zedan Racing Stables, Arabian Lion earned a 109 Beyer for completing the distance in 1:21.70 seconds over a fast track. He paid $6.70.
“It’s great to be back here,” said Baffert. “Nothing like winning in New York. It means so much to the horse and the connections and I feel great about it.
“I’ve always been so high on this horse but he’s just been slow to come around. Amr Zedan has let me be patient with him and now we’re getting rewarded.”
Baffert said he was surprised when Arabian Lion did not win the Lexington.
“The Lexington was a headscratcher, he looked like he was going to win and I think he saw something in the crowd and quit running,” said Baffert. “His race at Pimlico was amazing. I brought him back to Santa Anita and could see that race didn’t take much out of him.
“And he showed just now he’s learning too. He sat behind horses today, so he’s figuring it out. He’s just a smaller version of Justify and to have a horse by Justify, one of the greatest horses I’ve ever trained, and bring him to New York and win a Grade 1, that’s what we’re all in the game for.”
Baffert mentioned the Grade 1 Haskell at Monmouth Park on July 22 as a possible next option for Arabian Lion.
“He’s a Haskell contender along with Arabian Knight,” said Baffert. “One of the Arabians will be there.”
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