The Hunted wins stakes debut in Crystal Water

ARCADIA, Calif. – Six months to the day after he won a maiden special weight, The Hunted won his stakes debut in Saturday’s $100,702 Crystal Water Stakes for California-bred turf milers at Santa Anita.

Ridden by Tiago Pereira, The Hunted ($7) closed from fourth in a field of seven to win by a length over 7-2 Tule Fog. Brandothebartender, the 2-1 favorite, finished third, beaten 1 1/4 lengths, after closing on the rail through the stretch.

The Hunted was timed in 1:35.07 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 91 for the victory. Trainer Richard Baltas credited Pereira for a patient ride.

“He was nice and relaxed down the back,” Baltas said. “I think the rider did a good job.”

The Hunted trailed pacesetter Tule Fog by three lengths through early fractions of 23.49 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 47.67 for a half-mile. The Hunted reached contention with a wide rally and took the lead in the final furlong.

Hardboot finished fourth, followed by The Street Fighter, Accountability, and Soi Phet. An 11-year-old, Soi Phet is the oldest horse in training in Southern California. The Crystal Water Stakes was his first start of the year.

Soi Phet was third with a quarter-mile remaining but faded through the stretch.

“He got a little tired at the end,” trainer Leonard Powell said. “He doesn’t have that huge kick. He’s better when they go fast early.”

As for Soi Phet’s short-term future, Powell said there were no plans.

“We’ll go race by race,” Powell said.

A 4-year-old, The Hunted, by Unusual Heat, has won 3 of 10 starts and earned $155,029 for owners Madeline Auerbach, Joe Ciaglia, and Little Red Feather Racing. The Hunted beat maidens in his fifth start. He was second and third in allowance races with $40,000 claiming options against open company earlier this year.

“The Unusual Heats get better with age,” Baltas said.