Domestic Dispute best in Santa Catalina

ARCADIA, Calif. - Even with Vindication and Kafwain awaiting races later in the meeting, trainer Bob Baffert is still the one to get past with California-based 3-year-olds. His colt Domestic Dispute, under a confident ride by David Flores, powered past pacesetter Our Bobby V. and drew away for a three-length victory in Saturday's $150,000 at Santa Anita.

Scrimshaw, favored at 9-5 after a pair of sprint victories, faded after pressing the pace and was third, 3 1/2 lengths behind Our Bobby V.

Domestic Dispute was timed in 1:42.20 for 1 1/16 miles on the fast main track and paid $7.80 to win. A son of Unbridled's Song , he was bred and is owned by Gary Garber.

Our Bobby V. broke fastest from the gate and set fractions of 23.08 seconds, 46.57, and 1:10.35 for the first six furlongs. Scrimshaw was right behind him, and just to his outside. Domestic Dispute was sixth early, at the back of a tightly bunched back, but was always going along comfortably

Domestic Dispute began to advance steadily on the far turn, and by the top of the stretch he had only Our Bobby V. to catch. He sailed past that rival and pulled clear.

The victory was only the second in seven lifetime starts for Domestic Dispute, but he has proven his worth against some of the best in the nation. In last month's Hollywood Futurity, he finished third, then was moved to second via disqualification. He also was second in the Sunny Slope Stakes during this track's Oak Tree meeting.