Santa Anita: The Factor under consideration for the Golden Shaheen

During a three-week period, Feb. 5 through Sunday, Baffert won with 16 of his 27 runners.

The most recent stakes success in that span was The Factor’s victory in Saturday’s Grade 2 San Carlos Stakes over seven furlongs. In six instances, Baffert had two starters in races which he won.

“I’ve never had a streak like this,” said Baffert, who paid tribute to his staff. “It’s kind of exciting.”

The Factor won his second stakes of the meeting in the San Carlos, holding off a late threat from Sway Away to win by a half-length. Amazombie, the champion sprinter of 2011, finished third in the field of five in his first start since a win in the BC Sprint at Churchill Downs last November.

The Factor is a possible starter for the $2 million Golden Shaheen over about six furlongs at Meydan on March 31, although no firm plans have been set, Baffert said.

“My plan was to see how he came out of it,” Baffert said after the race. “We could go to Dubai with him.”

Amazombie is not leaving the United States. Sunday, trainer Bill Spawr reiterated his previous thoughts that Amazombie will make his next start in the $150,000 Potrero Grande Stakes over 6 1/2 furlongs here on April 7 or the $200,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap over six furlongs at Oaklawn Park on April 14.

Spawr said that Amazombie was “tired” after the San Carlos. “He was definitely fit, but he wasn’t tight enough,” Spawr said. “My goal is to have him as ready as he can be in October.”

Last fall, Amazombie won the Ancient Title Stakes and BC Sprint in consecutive starts.