Barraza dominates Clocker's Corner Stakes
ARCADIA, Calif. - Barraza led throughout Saturday’s $77,900 Clocker’s Corner Stakes for turf sprinters at Santa Anita, a tactic that surprised winning trainer Vladimir Cerin.
Before the race, Cerin considered recommending a stalking trip to Hall of Fame jockey Kent Desormeaux.
“I thought, let him ride,” Cerin said in the winner’s circle. “When he’s on, he’s as good as anyone in the country.”
Desormeaux, 51, guided Barraza through an opening quarter-mile in 21.96 seconds and a half-mile in 44.19 seconds, holding a two-length advantage with a quarter-mile remaining. Sent off favored, Barraza prevailed by 2 1/4 lengths over 5-2 Commander. Comradery (16-1) finished third, beaten 5 1/2 lengths by Commander.
Barraza ($5.40) ran six furlongs in 1:07.30 and earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 97.
The Clocker’s Corner Stakes was restricted to horses that had not won a graded stakes since the beginning of 2021.
Border Town finished fourth, followed by Vannzy, Chaos Theory, Barristan The Bold and Weston.
Chaos Theory was third in the Grade 2 Eddie D Stakes on the hillside turf course in October, while Commander was third in the Grade 3 Daytona Stakes at 6 1/2 furlongs on turf last May. Border Town was third in the Grade 3 Thunder Road Stakes at a mile on turf last February.
The Clocker’s Corner Stakes was the second stakes appearance for Barraza, who was eighth – beaten 2 3/4 lengths – in the Grade 2 Del Mar Derby at 1 1/8 miles on turf last September. Barraza has not lost since. A 4-year-old colt by Into Mischief, Barraza won his next two starts at about 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course at Santa Anita – an allowance race on Oct. 31 and his 2022 debut in an allowance race on Jan. 2.
In both of those wins, Barraza raced from off the pace.
Owned by David and Holly Wilson, Barraza has won 4 of 12 starts and has earned $197,700.
Barraza was claimed for $100,000 from Spendthrift Farm and trainer Bob Baffert last April, the day he won a six-furlong race for maidens in his fourth start.
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