Charlatan Exits Malibu in Great Shape

It was business as usual the morning of Dec. 27 for Bob Baffert, less than 24 hours after Charlatan demolished his rivals with a 4 1/2-length victory in the Runhappy Malibu Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita Park, the final grade 1 race of 2020.

It was the 16th grade 1 win of the year for Baffert, four more than Chad Brown, who has received the Ecipse Award for outstanding trainer from 2016-19. The Malibu win enhanced Baffert's chances for 2020 year-end honors, although personal triumphs are not high on his priority list.

But with Authentic 's Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) and Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) victories, and pending Horse of the Year honors a mere formality, Baffert assuredly has the credentials to merit such a singular honor.

Sunday morning though, it was all about the horse.

"He came back great," Baffert said of Charlatan, who was making his first start since May 2, when he crossed the wire first by six lengths in the first division of the Arkansas Derby (G1), only to be disqualified on a medication violation.

"We haven't really decided what we're going to with him yet. It's too early. We'll give it a week," Baffert added. "I thought he was going to need the race but he was a lot readier than I thought. We were hoping he would pick up where he left off, and he exceeded our expectations.

"He's just a brilliant horse. He came out of it in really good shape so we're excited. It was a good way to cap off the year."

Charlatan is owned by SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Stonestreet Stables, Fred Hertrich III, John Fielding, and Golconda Stables. 

Baffert was also focused on the 2-year-old crop in his barn with Life Is Good, a 9 1/2-length debut winner over 6 1/2 furlongs Nov. 22 at Del Mar, breezing six furlongs in 1:10 3/5. It was the fastest of six moves at the distance on Santa Anita's main track.

The Into Mischief  colt owned by China Horse Club and WinStar Farm is one of five Baffert traines nominated to the Jan. 2 Sham Stakes (G3) for newly-turned 3-year-olds. The one-mile Sham provides qualifying points for the Road to the Kentucky Derby on a 10-4-2-1 basis to the top four finishers. 

"The track was really good today," Baffert said. "It was faster and they were getting over it good. It had a lot of bounce to it. We're still debating whether Life Is Good will go in the Sham or the seven-eighths (Feb. 7 San Vicente Stakes, G2). I have to talk to (WinStar president and CEO of racing operations) Elliott Walden first."

Baffert does plan to enter Zedan Racing Stables' debut winner Medina Spirit in the Sham. The Florida-bred son of Protonico  was a three-length winner going 5 1/2 furlongs at Los Alamitos Race Course Dec. 11. Medina Spirit breezed five furlongs Sunday in 1:02.

Baffert also breezed Baoma Corporation's Dec. 5 Starlet Stakes (G1) winner Varda Sunday. The Distorted Humor  filly also worked five furlongs in 1:02.

Smooth Like Strait Eyes Grade 1

Cannon Thoroughbreds' homebred Smooth Like Strait, winner of Saturday's Mathis Brothers Mile (G2T), likely will make his next start in the March 6 Frank E. Kilroe Mile (G1T) at Santa Anita.

"That's the plan," trainer Michael McCarthy said for the 3-year-old Midnight Lute  colt, who was a head shy of winning at the top level in the Nov. 28 Hollywood Derby (G1T) at Del Mar.

McCarthy has Andrew and Rania Warren's Nasreddine, third in the Starlet, ticketed for the Jan. 3 Santa Ynez Stakes (G2) at seven furlongs and Team Block's marathon turf specialist Another Mystery set for the Jan. 2 San Gabriel Stakes (G2T) at 1 1/8 miles.

The Santa Ynez offers points toward the Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) on a 10-4-2-1 basis.

McCarthy also has come-backing ready Ohio for the Jan. 1 Joe Hernandez Stakes (G2T) at 6 1/2 furlongs.

Ohio has not raced since March 7 when the soon-to-be 10-year-old gelded son of Elusive Quality finished seventh in the Kilroe.

"Ohio just had a little R and R, just taking it easy," McCarthy said.

Saturday McCarthy also sent out Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Twin Creeks Racing Stable, and Kathleen and Robert Verratti's Indpendence Hall in the Malibu, in which the Constitution  colt finished fifth 9 3/4 lengths behind Charlatan.

 "I don't think he handled the track, but he'll live to fight another day," McCarthy said.