Laurel River's win in Pat O'Brien shows his rapid improvement
DEL MAR, Calif. - Nearly two years after Laurel River had his debut at Santa Anita, the now 4-year-old colt won his first stakes in Saturday’s Grade 2 Pat O’Brien Stakes at Del Mar for his third consecutive victory.
While the winning streak is spread over 51 weeks, the victories indicate Laurel River is improving rapidly for trainer Bob Baffert and could play an important role in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Keeneland on Nov. 5.
Owned by Juddmonte Farms, Laurel River closed from fourth in a field of 10 to win the $252,000 Pat O’Brien by a convincing 3 3/4 lengths. Laurel River ran seven furlongs in 1:21.37, and earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 108.
Ridden by Juan Hernandez, Laurel River overcame traffic on the turn and rallied between horses before pulling clear.
“I like the way he sat there and the tremendous move Hernandez made through that tiny seam,” Baffert said. “We were hoping for a performance like that.”
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Laurel River won his first start of 2022, an allowance race at a mile on July 31, by 4 3/4 lengths, disputing the pace throughout.
“His comeback race was really good,” Baffert said.
Baffert said Laurel River may start in the Grade 1 Awesome Again Stakes at 1 1/8 miles at Santa Anita on Oct. 1 or have his next race in the BC Dirt Mile. Laurel River earned a fees-paid berth in the BC Dirt Mile.
“He’ll dictate” plans, Baffert said.
American Theorem, second in the Pat O’Brien, will not race again until Nov. 5 at Keeneland, trainer George Papaprodromou said. The BC Dirt Mile and the BC Sprint at six furlongs will be considered.
American Theorem won the Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes at six furlongs on July 30 to earn an automatic berth to the BC Sprint. In the Pat O’Brien, American Theorem closed from seventh and was closest to the front at the finish.
“I’m very happy with the horse,” Papaprodromou said. “He did make a run at the end, but it was too late.”