Baffert's late-bloomers look strong in maiden race

ARCADIA, Calif. – While racing grapples with the coronavirus and disrupted schedules, one positive development is reduced pressure on 3-year-olds to make major spring stakes.

In normal circumstances, a maiden race for fillies in late March at Santa Anita has zero influence on the Kentucky Oaks in early May. But this year the Oaks is postponed to Sept. 4, giving late-bloomers another four months to mature.

Friday at Santa Anita, two late-developers trained by Bob Baffert each seek a maiden win in the featured seventh race – favorite Merneith and well-bred first-timer As Time Goes By. It is a sign of the times that neither well-regarded maiden is ruled out of the Oaks.

“These are fillies that would have had no shot at the Oaks,” Baffert said. “Now, they have a chance.”

Merneith and As Times Goes By top the seven-furlong, seven-entrant maiden race. While it is fine to ponder the Oaks, the first objective is to win a maiden race. Merneith, the 6-5 favorite by linemaker Jon White, is likely to do just that in her third start.

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“I can’t believe she’s still a maiden,” Baffert said. Neither can bettors.

Merneith was 1-5 in her debut Jan. 20. She set blistering fractions and got worn down to finish second by a length. In her next start Feb. 23, Merneith stretched to a mile, set an honest pace, and was worn down to miss by a nose at 6-5.

Baffert was not looking for an excuse, but said Merneith “is a smaller filly, sometimes they struggle on this surface.”

Friday, Merneith drew outside and figures for a front-running or pace-pressing trip. Baffert agrees that Merneith figures to win.

“She should, but that filly I have in the one-hole is a really nice filly,” he said, referring to As Times Goes By. “She’s probably one of the best-bred fillies on the grounds.”

Both the Baffert trainees are by American Pharaoh; the female family of As Time Goes By is special. Her dam is Grade 1 winner Take Charge Lady, who produced Grade 1 winners Will Take Charge and Take Charge Indy.

Baffert said he’s taken his time with As Time Goes By.

“She’s got the one-hole,” he said. “I would have liked to see her outside, where she could sort of track them. She has speed, but she’ll be better going longer.”

Mike Smith rides Merneith. She is the first favorite Smith will ride for Baffert since October. Drayden Van Dyke rides As Times Goes By, and while breaking from the rail is a challenge, her perceived raw ability could compensate.

Other entrants include route-to-sprint contender Last First Kiss, first-time starters Little Rachel and River Gal, and a pair of 4-year-olds – the seven-start maiden Saving Sophie and second-time starter Lil Miss Moppet.