Baffert takes aim at Breeders' Cup after some surprise wins
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ARCADIA, Calif. – The 22nd, 23rd, and 24th graded stakes wins of 2025 for trainer Bob Baffert occurred at Santa Anita over the weekend with some results that were hard to forecast.
While Cavalieri overcame a troubled start to win Sunday’s Grade 2 Zenyatta Stakes for fillies and mares as the 7-10 favorite and secure a berth in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Del Mar on Nov. 1, wins by Nevada Beach at 8-1 in Saturday’s Grade 1 Goodwood Stakes, and Imagination at 5-1 in Sunday’s Grade 2 Santa Anita Sprint Championship were surprises.
Nevada Beach finished 1 1/2 lengths in front of 1-2 Full Serrano, earning a fees-paid berth to the BC Classic on Nov. 1. Imagination, in his first start since late January, rallied from fifth of eight to beat a Santa Anita Sprint Championship field that included Straight No Chaser, who ran third in his first start since April. Imagination earned a fees-paid berth to the BC Sprint.
Baffert was the leading trainer in wins and earnings at the Del Mar summer meeting. Through Sunday’s third day of the 16-day Santa Anita autumn meeting, Baffert had four wins, one fewer than leader Phil D’Amato, but had a clear advantage in the earnings category.
With another round of graded stakes at Santa Anita this weekend with Breeders’ Cup implications, Baffert could extend his earnings lead. His stable is designed around such high-profile races.
“I have nice horses and we bring them over with confidence that they’ll perform well,” he said. “Sometimes they do.”
Imagination was part of the Triple Crown buildup in 2024, winning the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita. He was second by a head to Stronghold in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby, the first of a streak of seven losses that ended on Sunday.
Imagination was rested after the 4-year-old colt finished fourth as the 7-10 favorite in the Grade 2 San Pasqual Stakes at 1 1/16 miles at Santa Anita in January.
A quick five-furlong workout from the gate in 1:00 by Imagination on Sept. 20 led to his start in the $201,500 Santa Anita Sprint Championship.
“I thought I’d throw him in the sprint race, and he got it done,” Baffert said. “He’s better now than he’s ever been.”
The BC Sprint typically draws a large field. Imagination will need a favorable trip to win the six-furlong race.
“You can win the Sprint if there is a lot of speed,” Baffert said. “You can win the Sprint [from] off the pace. He got a free berth and we might as well take it.”
Imagination finished 2 1/4 lengths in front of Straight No Chaser, who set the pace from an inside position on the backstretch. Trainer Dan Blacker said on Monday that Straight No Chaser is bound for the BC Sprint, a race he won last year to clinch his championship.
“The horse looks great,” Blacker said. “I was proud of the run. It wasn’t easy coming off a layoff and being pressured the whole way. If we had an outside post, it could have been different.”
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