Earls Rock First Black-Type Winner for Fascinating Rock
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Photo: Benoit Photo
Earls Rock wins the Baffle Stakes at Santa Anita Park
Fascinating Rock's first black-type winner as a stallion came at Santa Anita Park Feb. 5.
His son Earls Rock was a stylish winner of the $84,200 Baffle Stakes and has brought his career record to 2-from-2 since he came to the United States, having taken a maiden special weight at the same track last month.
Bred by Newtown Anner Stud, Earls Rock had one start for Andrew Slattery as a 2-year-old, finishing second in a Down Royal maiden behind the subsequent Jebel Ali Racecourse & Stables Anglesey Stakes (G3) winner A Case of You.
The second foal of winning Shamardal mare Ajaadat, who was bought for just €8,000 (US$8,932) by Slattery at the 2019 Goffs Autumn Yearling Sale, he has subsequently moved to the stable of Phil D'Amato and runs in the colors of Anthony Fanticola.
Dropping down to 6 1/2 furlongs from a mile, he was given an unhurried ride by Flavien Prat and the jockey pushed the 3-year-old out to hold off Beer Can Man.
"This is about as short as he wants," D'Amato said. "The jock rode a tremendous race. He was very patient and the way he split horses made all the difference."
QIPCO Champion Stakes (G1) and Tattersalls Gold Cup (G1) winner Fascinating Rock is standing at Ballylinch Stud for €5,000 and has sired five individual winners from a modest-sized first crop.