Pubilius Syrus makes Baffle second straight stakes win

ARCADIA, Calif. - Pubilius Syrus won his second consecutive stakes in Sunday’s $78,345 Baffle Stakes for 3-year-old turf sprinters at Santa Anita, surprising trainer Vladimir Cerin with his ability to win at a shorter distance than expected.

Cerin rates Pubilius Syrus as a contender for the $200,000 Pasadena Stakes at a mile on turf on March 17 – and longer races later this year.

In the Baffle Stakes, Pubilius Syrus closed from third in a field of six to win the race at about 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course by a length.

“I wanted him to finish well,” Cerin said in the winner’s circle. “I didn’t think he’d be in front when he was in front.
“We really think he’s a mile and a quarter horse.”

Ridden by Kent Desormeaux, Pubilius Syrus ($7.20) was timed in 1:13.04. He earned a Beyer Speed figure of 90.

Afleet Ascent and Pyscho Dar dueled through an early pace of 21.59 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 43.81 for a half-mile. Desormeaux positioned Pubilius Syrus outside of those horses when the field crossed from the hillside portion of the turf course to the main turf course and took the lead before the eighth pole.

Afleet Ascent finished second, 1 1/4 lengths in front of Colosi, the 2-1 favorite. Hemp Hemp Hurray, who broke slowly, finished fourth, followed by Madarnas and Psycho Dar.

Pubilius Syrus, who is by Candy Ride, has won 3 of 7 starts and earned $158,940 for owners David and Holly Wilson. Last year, Pubilius Syrus was second in the Grade 3 Cecil B. DeMille Stakes at a mile on turf at Del Mar in November behind the highly regarded Analyze It, and won the Eddie Logan Stakes at a mile on turf here on Dec. 30.