Greenwich Village gets the job done in Pasadena

ARCADIA, Calif. – The 3-year-old colt Greenwich Village has a habit of reaching the front at the last moment in his turf races.

On Jan. 25 at Santa Anita, Greenwich Village closed from last of seven to win the Baffle Stakes for turf sprinters by a neck. On Sunday, Greenwich Village closed from fourth to win the $102,000 Pasadena Stakes by a nose over pacesetter Medici.

“He has a lot of talent and he finished very strong,” said winning rider Juan Hernandez.

“He showed up again. He made it.”

Greenwich Village ($5.40) ran a mile on turf in 1:34.72, his third victory in four starts. Greenwich Village earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 82.

Sent off favored in a field of nine, Greenwich Village was fourth for the first six furlongs, tracking 7-1 Medici, who set a solid pace of 22.82 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 46.38 for a half-mile.

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Hernandez said he was forced to urge Greenwich Village to reach contention through the stretch.

“I had to work a little hard on him,” Hernandez said. “He’s a big horse.”

Medici, ridden by Mirco Demuro for trainer Richard Mandella, led by two lengths with a quarter-mile remaining. The margin was reduced to a length in the stretch.

Medici finished a neck in front of 8-1 Iriseach, who closed from sixth. Caro Buono finished fourth, followed by Later Than Planned, Unrivaled Time, Army Man, Brigante, and Smoovin Saturday.

The Pasadena Stakes was Medici’s first start in a stakes, preceded by a win in a maiden race at a mile on turf on Dec. 29.

“He’s still a work in progress,” Mandella said. “He’s coming along.”

Greenwich Village is part of trainer Bob Baffert’s deep team of 3-year-olds. By Quality Road, Greenwich Village races for a partnership that includes SF Racing, Starlight Racing and Madaket Stables.

Greenwich Village won a maiden race for 2-year-olds at 6 1/2 furlongs on dirt at Los Alamitos on Dec. 6 in his first start, and was last of five in the Grade 2 San Vicente Stakes at seven furlongs on Jan. 10 in his stakes debut.

Bought for $350,000 at the 2024 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, Greenwich Village is unbeaten in two starts on turf and has earned $151,000.

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