Cezanne, $3.65 million son of Curlin, set for racing debut

Cezanne, a son of Curlin who lit up the sales ring last March when he sold as a 2-year-old for $3.65 million, will make his highly anticipated debut Saturday at Santa Anita in race 6, a maiden sprint for 3-year-olds and up.

Bob Baffert trains Cezanne, whose auction price is the highest for a 2-year-old since The Green Monkey went for $16 million in 2006. Cezanne was purchased at the Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream selected 2-year-olds in training sale by Coolmore and partners.

“He’s been ready to run,” Baffert said Wednesday morning. “I don’t think he’s a sprinter, but he has ‘enough’ speed. I think he’s a very good horse.”

Cezanne, who breezed in 10 seconds at the sales preview, entered racetrack training last summer in California and posted seven timed workouts before Baffert stopped in August.

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“He just had little baby issues, nothing drastic,” Baffert said. “I just took my time with him.”

Cezanne is fit for the 6 1/2-furlong race; he has not missed a beat since his Santa Anita pattern began in April. He produced speed from the gate May 14 (viewed on XBTV.com), getting five furlongs in 59 seconds, fastest of the day. Cezanne followed with another five-furlong gate work May 23, and finished his prep with a best-of-the-morning 47.60 drill May 30 in which he easily disposed of a workmate and galloped out with run.

Flavien Prat rides Cezanne, who breaks from the inside post Saturday in a field of seven.

Cezanne’s pedigree is top class. His dam, Achieving, is a sibling to Baffert-trained Grade 1 winner Streaming. The third dam of Cezanne is Better Than Honour. She produced 2007 champion 3-year-old filly Rags to Riches, Belmont winner Jazil, and Grade 2 winner Casino Drive.