Prat guides Kanthaka to Lazaro Barrera Stakes win

ARCADIA, Calif. - A patient and tactical ride by Flavien Prat gave Kanthaka his second seven-furlong graded stakes win of the year in Saturday’s Grade 3 Lazaro Barrera Stakes for 3-year-olds at Santa Anita.

Breaking from the rail, Prat kept Kanthaka on the inside to early stretch, waiting behind pacesetters McKale and King Cause. When a gap emerged between the two runners before the eighth pole, Prat urged Kanthaka to the front.

Kanthaka ($4.40) won the $100,345 Barrera by three-quarters of a length over 9-1 Beautiful Shot, who closed from fifth. Kanthaka was timed in 1:23.25, earning an 88 Beyer Speed Figure.

“I made my move when I wanted,” Prat said. “Once he got to the lead, he looked around a bit.”

Prat had Kanthaka within two lengths of the front in the first half-mile and did not urge his mount until running room developed.

“That was a good effort by the horse and a good effort by Prat,” trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said. “He took a chance that he would get through.”

Zulfikhar, a 5-1 chance, finished third, followed by McKale, King Cause and Bocephus.

McKale, who had his stakes debut and third start in the Barrera, broke a stride slowly, but had a narrow lead after an opening quarter-mile in 23.05 seconds. McKale was beaten two lengths by Kanthaka.

“He’s not that fast out of there,” jockey Drayden Van Dyke said. “Even when he broke his maiden, he was a step slow.”

After the race, Bocephus was vanned off and taken to trainer Molly Pearson’s stable, according to track stewards.

Kanthaka won the Grade 2 San Vicente Stakes at seven furlongs on Feb. 10 in his stakes debut for the West Point Thoroughbreds partnership.

By Jimmy Creed, Kanthaka has won 3 of 6 starts and earned $263,663. He won a maiden race at seven furlongs on Dec. 26 in his second start.

After winning the San Vicente, Kanthaka was tried in two Triple Crown prep races, finishing third to Bolt d’Oro in the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes here March 10 and sixth behind Good Magic in the Grade 2 Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland on April 7.