Stay Hot shortens up, preps in Baffle Stakes; pick six carryover of $56,500

ARCADIA, Calif. – Even if the $100,000 Baffle Stakes is merely a prep for Stay Hot, that does not preclude the best horse in the field from winning the downhill sprint Saturday at Santa Anita.

Still, trainer Peter Eurton acknowledged the Baffle is a means to an end. Stay Hot runs Saturday for the first time since he won a Grade 3 turf mile at Del Mar in December. The Baffle, a turf sprint in mid-February, is an ideal tune-up for a turf route in March.

“I thought the timing would be good and would set him up for next month at a mile,” Eurton said, referring to the $100,000 Pasadena Stakes on March 16. “Not that I think he can’t win [the Baffle], because I think he can.”

Many will agree. Even if Stay Hot runs in the Baffle mainly to shake off cobwebs, he may still be the horse to beat. Winner of the Cecil B. DeMille last out, Stay Hot meets six others in the Baffle, at 6 1/2 furlongs on turf for 3-year-olds. Several have a chance.

Boltage benefits by a class drop and return to turf; Heart Headed, sired by Grade 1 turf winner Oscar Performance, moves up off a relatively fast dirt comeback. Hedwig and Charge for Gold both are stakes-placed. Final Boss and Always on Cay also are entered.

Saturday's card also features a $56,500 carryover in the $1 pick six after the bet went unhit on Friday.

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Although longshots won the last three hillside sprint stakes this winter ($22 Antifona, $40.60 Irideo, $40.40 Honey Pants), the Baffle is usually predictable. Favorites have won the last three; the last eight Baffle winners paid $7.20 or less (excluding 2016 on dirt). While favoritism is uncertain Saturday, Stay Hot certainly is the most accomplished.

Stay Hot’s first two starts on dirt were modest. His career took off when Eurton switched the son of Summer Front to turf. Stay Hot won a maiden turf mile in October, finished next-to-last in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf in November, and followed with a win in the Cecil B. DeMille.

All three turf starts by Stay Hot were at one mile, but Eurton believes he can sprint.

“I think six and a half down the hill is good for milers,” he said. “You need stamina to get the distance.”

Five of the last six Baffle winners were going route to sprint.

Antonio Fresu is Stay Hot’s regular rider and worked him a sharp half-mile one week ago. Following the work, Eurton said Fresu “had a big smile on his face.”

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Boltage drops from a fourth behind Muth in the Grade 2 San Vicente on dirt. Turf seems the preferred surface for Boltage. Although he ran well in turf miles – maiden win, Grade 3 third – his speed might be more effective at shorter distances. Mike Smith rides for trainer Richard Mandella.

Heart Headed enters with the highest last-out figure, a 75 Beyer Speed Figure on dirt. He is sired by Oscar Performance, giving him a license to improve on turf. Juan Hernandez rides for trainer John Sadler. Heart Headed should be forwardly placed along with comebacker Hedwig.

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