Baffert debuting Newton, Kelce on turf out of neccessity

A six-furlong maiden race on turf at Santa Anita on Sunday will be a learning experience for the expensive 3-year-olds Kelce and Newton, according to trainer Bob Baffert.

Both were purchased at the 2024 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Yearling Sale – Newton for $975,000 and Kelce for $850,000. They are starting on Sunday out of necessity, Baffert cautioned on Friday.

“They’re in there because there is not dirt racing” for maidens, Baffert said. “I want to get them outs. They’re not grass horses.”

There are no maiden races for 3-year-olds on dirt scheduled for the three-day racing weekend at Santa Anita from Friday through Sunday.

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Kelce and Newton have displayed quick workouts at times in recent weeks. They are owned by an expansive partnership that includes SF Racing, Starlight Racing and Madaket Stables.

Kelce, by Quality Road, will be ridden by Juan Hernandez, the leading rider at the current Santa Anita winter-spring meeting through Thursday. Kelce blasted through a half-mile workout in 46 seconds on March 6.

Newton, by Munnings, drew the inside post in a field of seven. Florent Geroux rides Newton, who worked a solid five furlongs in 59.60 seconds from the gate on Feb. 21 and has since had two slower works at the distance.

The Baffert pair yield experience to two Irish imports trained by Phil D’Amato – Bright Eye Bungle and Melismatic – and Diaghilev, trained by Richard Mandella.

Bright Eye Bungle was second of 14 in a maiden race in his lone start in December, on the all-weather surface at Dundalk. Melismatic was second and sixth in two maiden races on turf last June and July. Of the other 13 runners in the July race, four have since won.

Diaghilev, winless in four starts, was third by a length as the 2-1 favorite after a wide trip in a maiden race at 6 1/2 furlongs on turf at Santa Anita on Feb. 15, his only appearance this year.

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