Merneith Tops Baffert Trifecta in Santa Monica
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Photo: Benoit Photo
Merneith wins the Santa Monica Stakes at Santa Anita Park
Trainer Bob Baffert swept the first three spots in the $202,000 Santa Monica Stakes (G2) Feb. 13 at Santa Anita Park, with HRH Prince Sultan Bin Mishal Al Saud's Merneith leading home two stablemates to capture her first graded victory.
Merneith was the 9-1 fifth choice in the field of nine older fillies and mares. Though the 4-year-old American Pharoah filly was off at longer odds than her stablemates she finished 2 1/4 lengths ahead of Karl Watson, Mike Pegram, and Paul Weitman's Golden Principal, who was another 2 1/4 lengths in front of Baoma Corporation's Qahira.
With Edwin Maldonado in the saddle for the first time, Merneith broke from the rail and battled for the lead through an opening quarter in :22.64 with Golden Principal. She had her head back in front to post a :45.34 half-mile, at which point Qahira was back in fifth.
Once straightened for home, Merneith left the competition behind and completed seven furlongs on a fast track in 1:22.28.
"I had like five fillies for the race and I ended up with three and I needed a rider," Baffert said. "The one thing about Edwin is he's probably one of the best speed gate riders there is. This filly, every time I run her, I expect her to win and she gets beat and I've been really surprised she hadn't done what she's done and today she showed it. I'm just really happy for him, he did a fantastic job getting out of the gate, she relaxed."
"I'm just so happy. It's another dream of mine to win for Bob Baffert," Maldonado said. "It took a while but we got it done. I just want to thank Bob (for) giving me an opportunity to ride this nice filly."
The 2-1 favorite and 2020 Santa Monica winner Hard Not to Love was last early and only got up for seventh. Fair Maiden, winner of the Dec. 26 La Brea Stakes (G1) ahead of Golden Principal and Merneith, faded in the stretch to finish eighth.
Baffert noted similarities between Merneith and American Pharoah, Baffert's 2015 Triple Crown winner.
"She looks like American Pharoah to me. When she came in, she looked almost like a spitting image of him. I'm glad (his progeny) are starting to run now," he said. "Today is the day she finally showed what she has and that was a pretty tough field of horses that she beat. To win 1-2-3, it was nice cheering down the lane."
Merneith was bred in Kentucky by China Horse Club and out of the stakes-winning Flatter mare Flattermewithroses. Her 3-year-old half brother Gunner Paul (Exaggerator ) made his career debut Jan. 16 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. Flattermewithroses also has the 2-year-old filly Fragrant (Classic Empire ) and a yearling colt by City of Light .
Narvick International purchased Merneith for her owner for $600,000 from De Meric Sales' consignment at the Ocala Breeders' Sales March Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training. The bay filly was previously bought as a weanling for $350,000 by Gary Contessa, agent, from Hunter Valley Farm's consignment to The November Sale, Fasig-Tipton's premier breeding stock sale in Lexington.
Merneith has earned $357,900 from a 4-3-2 record in 10 starts.