Danzing Candy to make debut for Baffert in Affirmed Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. – Danzing Candy, who finished 15th in the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 7, is scheduled to have his first start for trainer Bob Baffert in Saturday’s $100,000 Affirmed Stakes for 3-year-olds.

Danzing Candy was transferred from trainer Cliff Sise to Baffert in the days after the Kentucky Derby by owners Jim and Dianne Bashor and Ted Aroney. In the Kentucky Derby, Danzing Candy set the pace to the final turn and faded through the final furlong to finish 20 lengths behind the winner, Nyquist.

Danzing Candy won consecutive starts at Santa Anita earlier this year, including the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes in March. Danzing Candy was later fourth in the $1 million Santa Anita Derby on April 9, a race won by Exaggerator, who was second in the Kentucky Derby and won the Preakness Stakes.

In recent weeks, Danzing Candy has worked quickly at Santa Anita, typical of a Baffert-trained runner. On June 7, Danzing Candy worked a half-mile in 46.40 seconds, the fastest of 40 works at the distance.

Danzing Candy is expected to be part of a small field in the Grade 3 Affirmed at 1 1/16 miles. Other projected starters are Beaumarchais, Curlin Rules, and Dalmore, none of whom has won a stakes.