Kalypso takes early lead all the way home in Santa Ynez

ARCADIA, Calif. - A talented stablemate is the only thing keeping Kalypso from an undefeated record in stakes.

After winning the minor Anoakia Stakes at six furlongs at Santa Anita in October and finishing second to Varda in the Grade 1 Starlet Stakes at Los Alamitos on Dec. 5, Kalypso won the Grade 2 Santa Ynez Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita on Sunday.

Ridden confidently by jockey Joel Rosario, Kalypso ($3.80) was always near the front in the $200,500 Santa Ynez, and took the lead in early stretch. Kalypso finished 1 3/4 lengths in front of stablemate Frosteria, a maiden.

“She relaxed nicely in that position,” Rosario said. “I think that helped.

“She was the best horse in the race.”

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Kalypso finished seven furlongs in 1:23.42 and earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 81. Through the first half-mile, Kalypso was within a head of pacesetter Brilliant Cut, a 30-1 outsider who set fractions of 22.53 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 45.13 for a half-mile.

Brilliant Cut faded in the final furlong and was passed by Frosteria, the 7-2 second choice. Brilliant Cut was beaten 3 1/4 lengths by Kalypso and was followed by Queengol, Nasreddine, and Exotic West.

Baffert also trains Exotic West, who was 9-2 but was never a factor.

Varda was entered in the Santa Ynez, but was withdrawn on Sunday morning, a decision Baffert tipped would occur when entries were taken on Thursday. Baffert said Varda will have her next start in a two-turn stakes.

Kalypso was beaten 1 1/2 lengths by Varda in the Starlet, and was four lengths clear of Nasreddine in that race at 1 1/16 miles. Kalypso inherited the lead in the Starlet when Princess Noor, yet another Baffert-trained filly, was pulled up with an injury in early stretch. Princess Noor, a two-time graded stakes winner in September, was retired the following day.

Baffert said in the winner’s circle after the Santa Ynez that Kalypso could start in a two-turn stakes in coming weeks.

“She has natural speed,” Baffert said. “The way she was training, backing up made a big difference.

“I’d try her long again. She was pretty relaxed and she wasn’t too rank.”

By Brody’s Cause, Kalypso races for David Bernsen, Rockingham Ranch, and Chad Littlefield. Purchased for $240,000 as a yearling, Kalypso has won 2 of 5 starts and has earned $245,600.