Cezanne delivers as favorite in San Carlos Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. – Nearly three years ago, Cezanne was purchased for $3.65 million at a 2-year-olds in training sale in Florida.

He has not raced often since then, but he often wins.

Saturday, Cezanne won for the fourth time in his six starts in the Grade 2 San Carlos Stakes at seven furlongs, the 5-year-old horse’s first stakes win in more than 10 months.

The win was largely predictable. Cezanne ($3.20) won the $200,500 San Carlos by 2 1/2 lengths after racing near the front throughout in a field of six.

The race changed considerably early Saturday when Brickyard Ride, winner of the 2021 San Carlos Stakes, and Eight Rings, a Grade 1 winner in 2019, were withdrawn. They were two of the leading contenders in the field along with Cezanne, who was left a heavy favorite.

Ridden by Flavien Prat, Cezanne attended the pace between 3-1 Canadian Pride and 16-1 Principe Carlo, with Canadian Pride holding a narrow advantage through an opening quarter-mile in 22.67 seconds.

:: For the first time ever, our premium past performances are free! Get free Formulator now!

Prat had Cezanne in front narrowly on the turn and put away a brief challenge from Principe Carlo in the stretch. Cezanne was timed in 1:23.45 and received a 97 Beyer Speed Figure.

“I thought I was in a good spot,” Prat said. “He was traveling well. I wanted to keep him involved.”

Cezanne had his second start of 2022 in the San Carlos, having finished third in the Grade 3 Palos Verdes Stakes at six furlongs on Jan. 29 for trainer Bob Baffert and the Coolmore syndicate, who owns the horse. Through February, Cezanne had a series of fast workouts.

Baffert said he was “super ready,” Prat said.

Principe Carlo, who was claimed twice in 2020 for $20,000, finished six lengths clear of Canadian Pride, who had won an allowance race Feb. 4.

Principe Carlo was three wide early and never farther than a head from the front in the first half-mile under jockey Kyle Frey, who tried to reserve his mount for the stretch run.

“I didn’t want to force it going seven furlongs,” Frey said. “I wanted to get some finish out of him.”

Wicked Trick finished fourth, followed by Shooters Shoot and Phantom Dance.

Cezanne has earned $267,000 in his career. He won the Grade 3 Kona Gold Stakes at six furlongs at Santa Anita last April in his lone start of the year.