Muth rebounds with solid performance in Shared Belief Stakes

DEL MAR, Calif. – It was only one small step but it was an important one for Muth, who moved closer to the Breeders’ Cup Classic with a solid comeback victory in the $125,000 Shared Belief Stakes on Sunday at Del Mar.

Making his first start since winning the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby in March, and first since he got sick and scratched from the Preakness Stakes in May at Pimlico, Muth won the one-mile Shared Belief Stakes by two lengths over Indispensable.

“Now we can point for the California Crown,” Muth trainer Bob Baffert said, referring to the Grade 1, $1 million race against older horses on Sept. 28 at Santa Anita. “One step at a time.”

Baffert added later that the Grade 1, $1 million Pennsylvania Derby on Sept. 21 at Parx Racing was also an option for Muth.

Sunday in the Shared Belief, facing six other 3-year-olds at a mile on dirt, Muth and jockey Juan Hernandez raced in second position outside pacesetter Pony Express. Muth made the lead at the quarter pole while hounded by stablemate Imagination, put away that rival, and was not threatened. He won in 1:35.64.

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Although he was heavily favored, Muth ($2.40) had to work hard for his win. “That was a tough race, there were some really good 3-year-olds in there,” Baffert said.

Last-out maiden winner Indispensable rallied to second, a 1 1/4 lengths in front of Baffert-trained Imagination. The remaining order of finish was Mc Vay, Pony Express, Wynstock and De Medici.

Muth has now won five of seven, including the Grade 1 American Pharoah Stakes last fall at Santa Anita, which preceded his runner-up finish in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. A $2 million juvenile purchase by Amr Zedan, Muth has earned $1,579,100.

The best is probably still to come.

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