Barraza Rolls to Fourth Straight Win in San Simeon

Holly and David Wilson's Barraza  flew home in the $101,500 San Simeon Stakes (G3T) Feb. 20 at Santa Anita Park to capture his fourth consecutive victory. The 4-year-old Into Mischief   colt earned his first stakes win last out in the Jan. 22 Clocker's Corner Stakes and now has a graded score on his record.

Daisuke Fukumoto piloted Barraza for trainer Vladimir Cerin after picking up the mount from John Velazquez, a Hall of Fame rider. Velazquez was unavailable to ride due to the passing of his mother-in-law after a lengthy illness and the funeral scheduled this week.

The San Simeon marked the third graded stakes win for Fukumoto, who in 2021 won the Ricoh Woodbine Mile (G1T) on Town Cruise  and the Dominion Day Stakes (G3) on Mighty Heart . The Japan native began his North American riding career in 2017.

"This was my first time down the hill at Santa Anita," Fukomoto said. "I just let the horse get comfortable. I fell a little bit too far behind but (he) just relaxed and I trusted the horse. The horse was doing good, I was just happy to be his jockey.

"My friend (trainer) Brian Koriner, he connected me with Vladimir Cerin. My agent tries for me every day, I got a good horse, and that is all. I just want to say thank you to everyone…"

Barraza, the 9-5 second choice behind 3-2 favorite Beer Can Man , broke out of post 3 and settled in last of eight under Fukumoto. Racing on the downhill turf course, Bombard  posted fractions up front of :22.89 and :44.69 through the first half-mile, with Beer Can Man only a head back in second. 

As the field crossed over the dirt track to the main turf course, Barraza was forced eight wide but found plenty of running room down the lane. The bay colt rallied past his rivals and carried on to a 2 3/4-length victory. He completed the 6 1/2 furlongs on firm course in 1:12.66, returning $5.60 in a $2 win ticket.

"I think (Barraza) is just developing," Cerin said. "He'll go two turns again and I think he'll do it just as well. I had full faith in Daisuke. I left it up to him, to just use his judgment and just sit wherever he wanted to."

Indian Peak , who was one spot ahead of Barraza early in the race, got up for second at 20-1 odds. Beer Can Man was another half-length back in third, beating Bombard by a nose.

Barraza was bred in Kentucky by Spendthrift Farm out of the multiple graded stakes winner and millionaire Halo Dolly , by Popular. He is the second foal and lone runner out of his dam, who has also produced an unnamed 3-year-old full sister to Barraza and an unnamed 2-year-old Mendelssohn   colt. Halo Dolly, in foal to Authentic  , was a $110,000 post-sale purchase by Milfer Farm out of Legacy Bloodstock's consignment to the 2021 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale.

Spendthrift Farm initially campaigned Barraza with trainer Bob Baffert. The colt was claimed for $100,000 by his current connections from a maiden claiming race last April at Santa Anita, which he won by 5 1/2 lengths after three losses in maiden special weight company. 

From 13 career starts, Barraza holds a 5-1-2 record and has earnings of $257,700.

Video: San Simeon S. (G3T)