Masteroffoxhounds Makes the Grade in San Marcos

Masteroffoxhounds earned his first graded stakes victory Feb. 6 with a powerful run in the $200,500 San Marcos Stakes (G2T) at Santa Anita Park.

Rockingham Ranch's 4-year-old son of War Front  recovered from a stumble at the start from post 2 to reel in 6-5 choice Acclimate off the turn for home in the 1 1/4-mile test for 4-year-olds and up. Confidently handled by Joel Rosario throughout their journey over the downhill turf at the California track, he pulled away for a 1 1/4-length win after tracking second throughout.

"The whole time I was tracking the horse in front with a nice stride," said Rosario, who was aboard Masteroffoxhounds for the first time. "I had a lot of confidence in my horse. I was keeping him focused a bit in the last part, but (he) was much the best in the end."

Acclimate, a 7-year-old,  broke in and bumped with Starting Over, but quickly assumed command and showed five rivals the way until the final turn, posting mild fractions of :24.41, :49.37, and 1:14.19.

Sent off as the 8-5 second choice, 4-year-old Masteroffoxhounds enjoyed a  stalking trip, 2 1/2 lengths back through the half, then began to reduce the margin and had 1 1/2 lengths to make up on the leader as the mile went in 1:38.49. The Richard Baltas trainee then found another gear around the turn, gained the lead in midstretch, and drew clear under hand urging while drifting in a bit late. The final time was 2:01.39 on a firm course.

"I was worried it was going to be a slow pace, and it was slow at (1:14) and change," trainer Richard Baltas said. "He was impressive last time and (trained) well going into this race...I told Joel to sit second and he did it perfectly. He let the horse in front relax, but (that) horse is getting old."

It was the third start in the U.S. for the Baltas trainee, who won an allowance-level event by 4 1/4 lengths Nov. 28 going 1 3/8 miles on the Del Mar lawn. Baltas stretched him out after trying him at a mile Nov. 7 at Del Mar, where he was bumped at the start and flattened to finish last of seven. 

"I changed the bridle and I changed the exercise rider," Baltas said. "I just wanted him to be more aggressive. He's trained forwardly and we're fortunate to have him."

Acclimate held for second, 1 1/2 lengths ahead of Starting Over. The order of finish was completed by Salvator Mundi, Cleopatra's Strike, and Oscar Dominguez. Masteroffoxhounds paid $5.40 for a $2 win ticket. 

Bred in Kentucky by Orpendale/Chelston/Wynatt out of the Galileo mare Outstanding, Masteroffoxhounds made his racing debut at Leopardstown in 2019, when he raced twice for owners Michael Tabor, Susan Magnier, and Derrick Smith and trainer Aidan O'Brien, with his second start coming at the Curragh. He broke his maiden on his third try in June of 2020, running for Zhang Yuesheng and Jessica Harrington. He made four starts for those connections before he began racing in America for Rockingham and David Bernsen. His last two races have come strictly for Rockingham Ranch.

Masteroffoxhounds improved his record to 3-1-1 from nine starts, with earnings of $172,942.