Baxter has right touch with Pay Any Price

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Sunday’s Tamiami Handicap marked the first time Georgina Baxter has been the official trainer of record for Pay Any Price. But Baxter has been an integral part of Pay Any Price’s amazing success almost since the day owner Richard Averill claimed the turf sprint specialist for $25,000 more than two years ago.

Pay Any Price posted his fourth straight victory with a 1 1/2-length triumph in the Tamiami. He edged clear late under Edgard Zayas after being headed briefly in early stretch by Phantom Ro despite carrying a staggering 130 pounds. He conceded 15 pounds to Phantom Ro, who finished second in the five-furlong dash.

“He’s probably the reason I’m standing here talking to you now,” Baxter said while nodding toward the 8-year-old Pay Any Price as he exited the winner’s circle.

“I get on him every day. He’s no easy horse to train. They tried another rider at first right after claiming him, but he was just too bad. I get along with him as does Zayas and David Herrara, who is the assistant in the barn. This is the only horse he rubs. He’s his personal groom, and has been from day one.”

Baxter, an exercise rider by trade, took out her trainer’s license after Ralph Ziadie, Pay Any Price’s previous trainer, was denied a license by the Florida Department of Business Regulation earlier this summer. Sunday’s victory was her ninth from 40 starters since becoming trainer of record for the stable. It was also her first stakes win.

“She’s done a tremendous job working with him,” said Averill, who owns Pay Any Price with Matties Racing.

“He’s always been his own worst enemy, has survived two tendon injuries, but Georgina has found a way to get along with him in the morning. In fact, when we worked him last week for this race, she had to get off the pony because Edgard was having trouble getting him over to the gate. Once she got him there, she jumped off and Edgard got back on for the breeze. She didn’t have to take on this added responsibility when Ralph had his licensing issues. She took it on because she cares about these horses so much, especially this guy.”

The goal now is to get Pay Any Price to the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint. Despite his outstanding record this season and the fact he’s the North American record holder for five furlongs on turf, Pay Any Price still must be chosen by the Breeders’ Cup Selection Committee since he has no graded stakes earnings in 2018.

“He probably won’t run again before the Breeders’ Cup,” Baxter said.

“He certainly deserves the right to be there.”

Curlin’s Approval targets BC

Curlin’s Approval is another locally based horse being pointed to the Breeders’ Cup. On Monday, Curlin’s Approval worked five furlongs in 1:00.40 with Tyler Gaffalione aboard, getting her final quarter in 23.60. She galloped out six furlongs in 1:13.60.

Owner-breeder-trainer Happy Alter said he’s hoping to get one more start for Curlin’s Approval prior to the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint, preferably locally. If not, he’ll look for options either in New York or at Keeneland.

Curlin’s Approval rebounded from a fourth-place finish in defense of her title in the Grade 2 Princess Rooney here with a victory under Gaffalione in a six-furlong overnight stakes here Aug. 12. She finished 13th after stumbling at the start of the 2017 Filly and Mare Sprint.

11 nominated to Bear’s Den

Only 11 3-year-olds were nominated to Saturday’s $75,000 Bear’s Den Stakes, carded at 7 1/2 furlongs on the turf. The list is topped by Gelfenstein Farm’s Gemonteer, runaway winner of the Not Surprising Stakes here earlier this season. Gemonteer returns to South Florida off a ninth-place finish in the Grade 2 Hall of Fame decided over a yielding course last month at Saratoga.