Mr. Baker makes Housebuster fourth straight win for new connections

Mr. Baker continues to prove one of the most astute claims of the 2014 season, winning for the fourth time in as many starts since being haltered for $16,000 in February when he sprinted to an easy gate- to-wire, 3 1/4-length triumph over Grande Shores in Saturday’s $75,000 Housebuster Stakes at Gulfstream Park. Bahamian Squall finished third after futilely chasing the winner’s early pace. The win came over a racetrack officially listed as good and which did not flatter front-runners throughout the 11 race card.

Trainer Kirk Ziadie and the Acclaimed Racing Stable won a three-way shake for Mr. Baker moments after he was beaten a neck going a1 1/16 miles on turf in a conditioned $16,000 claimer on Feb. 23. But he has been unbeatable ever since, capturing a pair of optional claiming races and a pair of stakes, including the six-furlong Ponche at Calder, since changing barns. All four of his wins have been on dirt at distances ranging from 5 1/2 to seven furlongs.. He also established a 5 ½-furlong track record at Calder in the process.

With jockey Edgar Zayas aboard, Mr. Baker quickly sprinted to command along the rail, posted splits of 22.62 and 45.18 seconds while stalked by Bahamian Squall from the outset. Mr. Baker drew well clear once settling into the stretch and was never threatened thereafter. Grande Shores, whose stablemate C. Zee won the Cherokee Run Stakes a half-hour earlier, slipped up the rail to finish second, a length in front of Grade 2 winner Bahamian Squall, who was making his first start in seven months.

Mr. Baker left the gate at odds of 9-5 but was bet down to 6-5 in the final flash as the field neared the half-mile pole and returned $4.60.

“When he broke the track record at Calder, I knew it was against a different kind of horse, not the same kind as these, but when he gets to the lead, his heart gets bigger,” said Zayas.