Charlatan will likely pursue big bucks in next start

ARCADIA, Calif. - There is likely to be a seven-figure race, or even an eight-figure race, in Charlatan’s short-term future after an impressive win in Saturday’s Grade 1 Malibu Stakes at Santa Anita.

On Sunday, trainer Bob Baffert said he would consider the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Invitational, a $3 million race at 1 1/8 miles at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 23, for Charlatan’s 2021 debut. Another option is the $20 million Saudi Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Feb. 21.

“His only option is the Pegasus, unless I take him to Saudi,” Baffert said. “I want to keep him healthy.”

In the $300,500 Malibu Stakes for 3-year-olds at seven furlongs, Charlatan stalked pacesetter Nashville for the first half-mile and pulled clear to win by a convincing 4 1/2 lengths over 16-1 Express Train. He earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 107.

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Owned by a partnership that includes SF Racing, Starlight Racing, and Madaket Stables, Charlatan won the Malibu after a layoff of nearly eight months.

Charlatan has crossed the wire first in all four of his starts, but was disqualified from an easy win in the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby in May because of a medication violation. Charlatan later underwent surgery after being diagnosed with an ankle injury.

The Malibu result was much brighter for Baffert than the Grade 2 San Antonio Stakes at 1 1/16 miles earlier in the day, when Mucho Gusto finished a well-beaten fourth as the 1-2 favorite in his first start since a fourth in the Saudi Cup last February.

Mucho Gusto was in second in early stretch, but faded to finish 2 1/2 lengths behind 15-1 winner Kiss Today Goodbye.

“He got really tired,” Baffert said Sunday. “He wasn’t as ready as I thought he was. He struggles on that deep track. He likes it firm.”

Kiss Today Goodbye gave trainer Eric Kruljac his first stakes win since Causeforcommotion’s victory in the Grade 3 Santa Barbara Stakes for fillies and mares on turf in May 2019.

A 3-year-old colt owned by John Sondereker, Kiss Today Goodbye won his first stakes in his fourth appearance in such a race in the $200,500 San Antonio against older horses at 1 1/16 miles. Kruljac said Sunday that Kiss Today Goodbye may start in the Grade 2 San Pasqual Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on Jan. 30, as opposed to stakes outside of Southern California.

“I think it’s more likely we stay home,” Kruljac said Sunday. “He seemed to come out of the race in great shape.”

The San Pasqual is a prep for the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap at 1 1/4 miles on March 6.

“That would be my play," Kruljac said. “I’m not going to stand in the way of anything that John wants to do. If he wants to stay home and shoot for the Big Cap, great.

“The owner is very active and he’s really enjoying the horse.”

Kiss Today Goodbye was purchased for $150,000 at the 2018 Keeneland January sale as a yearling. Kruljac said Sondereker selected the colt, who is by the Pioneerof the Nile stallion Cairo Prince.

Express Train is another candidate for the San Pasqual, trainer John Shirreffs said.

“Everything about him says two turns,” Shirreffs said.