Baltas has them outnumbered in Santa Barbara

ARCADIA, Calif. – Although he trains four of the six fillies and mares in the Grade 3 Santa Barbara Stakes on Saturday at Santa Anita, Richard Baltas acknowledges he is no cinch to win the 1 1/2-mile turf race.

“I have four of the six, but the other two probably look better on paper,” Baltas said.

Well, almost. Bob Baffert-trained Plein Air, whose U.S. debut victory was her eighth win from 11 starts, is the likely favorite. The longest shot in the field is the Eric Kruljac-trained Causeforcommotion, a first-level allowance winner last out.

Baltas trains the other four – Lucy De, Pantsonfire, Space Cadet, and Queen Blossom. The Santa Barbara is the first time he will start four horses in one race.

“The horses all are doing well, the owners want to run, and I didn’t discourage them,” Baltas said.

He has started three in a race five times, most recently March 18 when Madame Dancealot and Midnight Crossing finished one-two in the Grade 2 Santa Ana.

The Santa Barbara is race 4 on an 11-race Saturday card. Plein Air is favored based on her front-running victory Jan. 14 in the $82,000 Astra Stakes at a mile and one-half on turf. The Santa Barbara is her second U.S. start.

Plein Air could face an early challenge from a Baltas trainee. “I’m going to send one of them,” Baltas said.

The most likely are Space Cadet or blinkers-on Queen Blossom.

KEY CONTENDERS

Plein Air, by Manduro
Last 3 Beyers: 91-N/A-N/A

◗ She was a 7-1 longshot in her U.S. debut due to unimpressive workouts on dirt. “She’s not a flashy work horse, she’s steady,” Baffert said. “On this deep dirt here, after a half-mile she struggles.”

◗ On turf, everything changes for Plein Air. “When she gets on the turf, she’s just a different filly,” Baffert said. “She looks like a different filly; her whole action changes and everything.”

◗ Tyler Baze rides Plein Air, whose chance to win depends on how she relaxes on the lead, and how much pace pressure she gets.

Lucy De, by Decarchy
Last 3 Beyers: 86-89-87

◗ She finished a closing third to Plein Air in the Astra, followed by second-level allowance victory and a fourth last out in the Grade 2 Santa Ana at 1 1/8 miles. Lucy De’s rider is Kent Desormeaux, who rode her to both allowance wins.

Pantsonfire, by Sir Percy
Last 3 Beyers: 84-88-86

◗ A second-level allowance winner last out, Pantsonfire will lag and rally. “She’s gonna make one run,” Baltas said.

Queen Blossom, by Jeremy
Last 3 Beyers: 75-86-88

◗ Blinkers are on. “I’m putting them on because I think she should have been a little more into the race the last couple times,” Baltas said.

◗ She is eligible to the second allowance condition. Flavien Prat is her rider.

Space Cadet, by U S Ranger
Last 3 Beyers: 87-73-81

◗ “She’s not quite a stakes horse, but if she could get a placing that would be great,” Baltas said.

◗ Franklin Ceballos rides Space Cadet, who could pester Plein Air on the lead.