Baaeed stretches out as heavy favorite in International Stakes

Baaeed began his career racing over one mile with the assumption he’d eventually find his sweet spot over longer distances. Now, nine starts into his career, Baaeed has only started in one-mile races. He has won all of them, the last five in Group 1 company, but Wednesday at York Racecourse in England, Baaeed finally stretches out, facing six rivals in the Group 1 International.

Run over 1 5/16 miles on York’s left-handed, relatively flat course, the International drew 1 1/4-mile ace Mishriff, two-time Group 1-winning 3-year-old Native Trail, and Group 1 winner Alenquer. Still, early fixed-odds betting markets are treating the International like a foregone conclusion; Baaeed was roughly a 1-2 favorite as of Monday in the race that offers a fees-paid berth to the Breeders’ Cup Classic as part of the Win and You’re In program.

Strong favoritism is merited. Baaeed combines sensational acceleration with a beautiful equine mind. He has partnered with jockey Jim Crowley his last seven starts, and the two have developed a strong rapport. Baaeed has won at six different courses over divergent configurations, and the only time anyone has gotten close to him was in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes last October at Ascot, where he beat top miler Palace Pier by a neck.

Bred by Shadwell Estate Co. and trained by William Haggas, Baaeed so far in 2022 has won the Group 1 Lockinge over a straight course at Newbury, the Group 1 Queen Anne down the Ascot straightaway, and the Group 1 Sussex over Goodwood’s quirky, turning course. He won the Lockinge by more than three lengths, and though his last two victories were more measured, Baaeed flashed a superior turn of foot that overwhelms his opponents.

:: Bet the races with a $200 First Deposit Match and FREE Formulator PPs! Join DRF Bets.

Four-year-old Baaeed is by Sea The Stars out of Aghareed, by Kingmambo; his 5-year-old full brother Hukum won the 1 1/2-mile Coronation Cup in May. Baaeed’s willingness to rate kindly keys to his suitability to the International, with York’s long homestretch providing plenty of time for Crowley to find a way home.

Mishriff, the best horse Baaeed has met since Palace Pier, won the 2021 International by six lengths over Alenquer. Mishriff is winless in three 2022 starts but at his best could give Baaeed a true test. Mishriff didn’t lift his hooves racing over dirt in the Saudi Cup in February but missed by just a neck in the July 2 Eclipse Stakes over 1 1/4 miles while giving 10 pounds to victorious 3-year-old Vadeni. Mishriff was a badly beaten third last out, and though the 1 1/2 miles of the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes is farther than his best, Mishriff for the second race in a row dwelt at the start.

Native Trail, the Irish 2000 Guineas winner earlier this year, gets seven pounds from the older horses and was just a head behind Mishriff in the Eclipse. But if Baaeed does in the International what he’s been doing over one mile, they’re all running for second.