Bast tops Baffert-trained trifecta in Santa Ynez

ARCADIA, Calif. – The three-time Grade 1 winner Bast won the fourth stakes of her career in Sunday’s Grade 2 Santa Ynez Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita, leading a sweep of the trifecta for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert.

Auberge, who set the pace, held second by 2 1/2 lengths, while Golden Principal, who was second for the first six furlongs, finished third in the field of six.

Bast closed from third to win by 1 3/4 lengths and had to work a little harder than winning jockey Drayden Van Dyke expected to reach the front.

“The other two were strong and I had to get after her,” Van Dyke said. “She showed her class.”

Bast ($3.20) ran seven furlongs in 1:23.42. She earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 87.

Orquidias Biz finished fourth, followed by K P Dreamin and Lovely Lilia. Paige Anne was withdrawn on Sunday morning.

Auberge and Golden Principal won maiden special weight races at six furlongs in their first career starts in the autumn. The $200,500 Santa Ynez Stakes was the second start for both fillies.

Auberge (2-1) set fractions of 22.02 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 44.59 for a half-mile. She led the Santa Ynez field by a half-length with a furlong remaining, but could not hold off Bast.

“I thought she ran a good race,” said Flavien Prat, who rode Auberge. “The other filly has a lot more experience.”

Bast, who races for Charles and Susan Chu, has won 4 of 6 starts and earned $852,200. Bast is a finalist for the Eclipse Award as the outstanding 2-year-old filly of 2019. By Uncle Mo, Bast won three Grade 1 races from Labor Day weekend to mid-December – the Del Mar Debutante at seven furlongs in August, Chandelier Stakes at 1 1/16 miles at Santa Anita in September, and the Starlet Stakes at 1 1/16 miles at Los Alamitos in December.

Bast was third by two lengths to British Idiom in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies here on Nov. 1.

The Santa Ynez Stakes was Bast’s first start in a sprint since her win in the Del Mar Debutante.

Baffert said in the winner’s circle that Bast “will be freshened” in coming weeks with the goal of having her in peak form for the major stakes of the spring, such as the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs on May 1.