Cat Burglar gets 'perfect spot' in Santana Mile score

ARCADIA, Calif. - A drop from the Grade 2 San Antonio Stakes in February to Saturday’s $82,545 Santana Mile gave Cat Burglar the first stakes win of his career.

Ridden by Rafael Bejarano, Cat Burglar ($3.80) had a perfect trip to win the dirt race by two lengths over Blue Tone. Cat Burglar was timed in 1:35.56.

A 6-year-old horse owned by Michael Lund Petersen and trained by Bob Baffert, Cat Burglar was fourth in the Grade 2 San Antonio Stakes on Feb. 6. The Baffert-trained Hoppertunity won the San Antonio Stakes and was third in the $10 million Dubai World Cup in the United Arab Emirates on March 26.

Getting away from such winners was beneficial for Cat Burglar.

"It was a perfect spot for him," said Jimmy Barnes, Baffert's top assistant. "He's out of (allowance) conditions."

Cat Burglar, by Unbridled's Song, has won 5 of 16 starts and earned $406,800.

In the Santana Mile, Cat Burglar stalked pacesetter Songforjohnmichael, who set fractions of 23.31 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 46.42 seconds for the first half-mile. Cat Burglar joined Songforjohnmichael on the turn and took a half-length lead in early stretch.

Blue Tone, who won the 2015 Santana Mile, closed from fifth to finish second in his first start since June. Songforjohnmichael was third, followed by Cyrus Alexander, Souper Knight and Pepper Crown.