St Patrick's Day likely for FrontRunner Stakes

DEL MAR, Calif. - St Patrick’s Day, a full brother to 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, is likely to run in the Grade 1 FrontRunner Stakes for 2-year-olds at Santa Anita on Sept. 30 after beating maidens Saturday.

Trained by Bob Baffert for Susan Magnier, St. Patrick’s Day led throughout a maiden race at 6 1/2 furlongs to prevail by a half-length over Instilled Regard, a first-time starter bought for $1,050,000 earlier this year.

St Patrick’s Day was timed in 1:17.81.

“He was impressive because he took all the heat in the one hole and he had every chance to give it up,” Baffert said Sunday morning. “That was a tough field.”

Earlier in the day, Baffert won the first division of a maiden race for 2-year-olds at 6 1/2 furlongs with Solomini, a colt by Curlin. Flavien Prat rode both winners.

Baffert hinted that one of his 2-year-old colts could be sent to Keeneland for the Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity on Oct. 7.

“I’ll have to decide whether to separate them or what,” he said.

The FrontRunner Stakes and Breeders’ Futurity winners receive fees-paid berths to the BC Juvenile at Del Mar on Nov. 4.

Yesterday’s News, by New Year’s Day, may have a future on turf after winning a maiden race at a mile on dirt for 2-year-old fillies in Saturday’s second race.

Yesterday’s News was fourth in two sprints for maidens in July before the breakthrough performance for owners Paul and Zillah Reddam.

“I think going long was the key for her,” trainer Simon Callaghan said. “I wouldn’t be against trying her on the turf.”

One option at the Santa Anita autumn meeting is the $100,000 Surfer Girl Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at a mile on turf on Oct. 9.