Greenwich Village has no problem going dirt to turf in Baffle Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. - Greenwich Village handled the transition from dirt to turf with ease in Sunday’s $101,000 Baffle Stakes for 3-year-old sprinters at Santa Anita.

Closing from last of seven, Greenwich Village ($11) caught deep-stretch leader Hey Nay Nay in the final strides to win by a neck in his first start on the surface. Ridden by Juan Hernandez, Greenwich Village ran about 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course in 1:12.63 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 75.

After bumping with the longshot Won for Lou at the start, Greenwich Village trailed by six lengths on the hillside portion of the race and was sixth when the field crossed from the hillside to the main turf oval.

He closed impressively with a wide run.

“The plan was to take back and make one move,” Hernandez said. “I got pinched out of the gate.

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“He was traveling good. He handled the crossing over the dirt. He was comfortable, like a professional.”

Hey Nay Nay, the even-money favorite, stalked the pace before briefly holding the lead.

Jockey Hector Berrios said Hey Nay Nay ran erratically in the stretch, which may have cost him a win.

“He didn’t run straight,” Berrios said.

Later Than Planned (5-2) finished third, followed by Track Tiger, Bust Out, Won for Lou and Cal’s Goal.

Greenwich Village races for a partnership that includes SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stable, and Stonestreet Stable, and trainer Bob Baffert. The colt was purchased for $350,000 as a yearling at Keeneland in September 2024.

In his first two starts on dirt, Greenwich Village won a maiden race at 6 1/2 furlongs at Los Alamitos in his debut on Dec. 6, bur finished last of five in the Grade 2 San Vicente Stakes at seven furlongs for 3-year-olds on Jan. 1.

By Quality Road, Greenwich Village is bred to handle the turf. He is out of the Australian-bred mare Houtzen, a multiple stakes winner on grass.

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