Bast Leads Home Baffert Trifecta in Santa Ynez
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Photo: Benoit Photo
Bast wins the Santa Ynez Stakes at Santa Anita Park
Baomo Corporation's Bast, an Eclipse Award finalist in the 2-year-old filly division, ran to her credentials Jan. 5 to begin her 3-year-old season with a win in the $200,500 Santa Ynez Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita Park. The Uncle Mo filly led a sweep of the top three spots by Bob Baffert trainees.
Baffert's other two entries, Auberge and Golden Principal, were the speed of the seven-furlong race. Golden Principal broke on top, but Auberge moved up the inside to take the lead by a head. Bast, who broke from the outside under jockey Drayden Van Dyke, was another length back in third.
"The outside post gives you the option of being able to read the pace," Van Dyke said. "When we got near the quarter pole, the other two were going easy, so I had to get after her. She was shortening up out of a route, but she kicked it in."
Auberge set fractions of :22.02 and :44.59 through the first half-mile. Van Dyke encouraged Bast to go nearing the turn for home, and the 3-5 favorite went three wide outside her stablemates. Auberge and Golden Principal continued to battle, but Bast found her best stride down the lane, and Van Dyke had her under a hold late for a 1 3/4-length score. The final time was 1:23.42 on a fast track.
"Bob said the horses were running a big race, so I really had to get after her, but she showed her class today," Van Dyke said. "I'm very lucky to be in the position I'm in right now. I'm blessed. I am grateful."
Bast earned 10 more points toward a start in the Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1), giving her a total of 34 and placing her atop the leaderboard. She also earned points winning the Starlet Stakes (G1) and Chandelier Stakes (G1) as a 2-year-old and with a third-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1). Bast also earned a top-level score last year when she broke her maiden in the Del Mar Debutante Stakes (G1).
Auberge stayed on for second to earn four Oaks points, finishing 2 1/2 lengths in front of Golden Principal (two points), who was another 9 1/4 lengths in front of Orquidias Biz (one point). K P Dreamin and Lovely Lilia completed the order of finish.
"You hate to run three in a race like that, but it's a graded race and it's $200,000. I want to give all my clients a chance at it," Baffert said. "I've gone sort of easy on (Bast) for this race. Those are two really good fillies that she was chasing there, as you can tell by the way they were spread out. They showed up, they ran well, so here we are."
Bast was bred in Kentucky by BlackRidge Stables. She is the first foal out of the Arch mare Laffina, who has since foaled a California Chrome colt and a Pioneerof the Nile filly. Last year, Laffina was reported bred to Ghostzapper .
Baoma Corporation purchased Bast in 2018 for $500,000 at The Saratoga Sale, Fasig-Tipton's select yearling sale in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., through agent Donato Lanni. The filly first sold for $200,000 to Bloodstock Investments V at the 2017 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale. Taylor Made Sales Agency consigned Bast both times.
The Santa Ynez improved Bast's earnings to $852,200 from a 4-1-1 record in six starts.