Kona Gold Winner Cezanne Sidelined

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Photo: Benoit Photo
Cezanne rolls in the Kona Gold Stakes at Santa Anita Park

Cezanne , an overpowering winner of the Kona Gold Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita Park April 18 in his 4-year-old bow, is sidelined with what trainer Bob Baffert describes as a "little setback."

The son of Curlin  , a $3.65 million auction purchase, was unraced between a fourth-place finish in the Aug. 1 Shared Belief Stakes at Del Mar and the Kona Gold after winning his first two starts in Southern California. He has not breezed since winning the 6 1/2-furlong Kona Gold in 1:14.71.

"We're going to miss some time with him. He'll be back in a couple months," said Baffert during a National Thoroughbred Racing Association teleconference May 6.

Bred in Kentucky by Hill 'n' Dale Equine Holdings and St. Elias Stables, Cezanne was purchased by bloodstock agents Jamie McCalmont and Donato Lanni on behalf of M.V. Magnier from the Crupi's New Castle Farm consignment to The Gulfstream Sale, Fasig-Tipton's selected 2-year-olds in training sale in Florida, in 2019. He races for St. Elias and the Coolmore-affiliated Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith.

Scheduled to resume breezing May 9 at Churchill Downs after a short training break is grade 1 winner Charlatan , Baffert said. Second in the Feb. 20 Saudi Cup (G1), Charlatan races for the partnership of SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Stonestreet Stables, Fred Hertrich III, John Fielding, and Golconda Stables.