Spun Intended Lines Up Against Baffert Quartet in Sham

In what appears to be a David vs. Goliath scenario at Santa Anita Park Jan. 8, trainer Mark Glatt's Spun Intended  takes on four Bob Baffert trainees among a field of six sophomores in the $100,000 Sham Stakes (G3) at one mile.

The Sham, won by Baffert eight times, potentially provides Kentucky Derby (G1) qualifying points on a 10-4-3-2-1 scale from first through fifth. However, due to Churchill Downs Inc.'s private-property suspension of Baffert through mid-2023 for medication violations, his horses are ineligible to earn points.

A troubled second in his 6 1/2-furlong debut Oct. 30, Spun Intended was impressive at the mile distance Nov. 26 at Del Mar, galloping by 6 1/2 lengths at odds of 4-5. Owned by Edge Racing and Muir Hut Stables, the son of Hard Spun   will likely show plenty of speed in his first try around two turns and figures to have plenty of front-running company in the Baffert brigade. Spun Intended will be ridden for the third consecutive time by Mike Smith.

A first-out maiden winner going 6 1/2 furlongs at Del Mar Sept. 3, National Treasure  was then second, beaten 5 1/4 lengths by highly regarded stablemate Cave Rock  at 1 1/16 miles in the American Pharoah Stakes (G1) Oct. 8.  Subsequently third, beaten 3 3/4 lengths at 8-1 in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) at Keeneland Nov. 4, the Quality Road   colt has regular rider John Velazquez up.

"This is the time of year you see them mature, and this horse is maturing," Baffert said. "I think he ran a big race in the Breeders' Cup, and he's continued to work that way."

The Baffert-trained Reincarnate , second going a mile on grass in his first two maiden starts, transitioned to dirt in his third start going 1 1/16 miles at Santa Anita Nov. 4 and ran a much-improved race, finishing second by three-quarters of a length. Subsequently favored in a mile race Nov. 25 atDel Mar, Reincarnate (Good Magic  ), who was pressed throughout, won by three-quarters of a length under Velazquez.

With Velazquez aboard National Treasure, Juan Hernandez is aboard Reincarnate.

"He's a big, strong horse," Baffert said. "He's not as quick as those other horses, but he can jump up if the pace is quick. He wants to go a mile-and-a-quarter. Distance is going to be his friend."

Baffert's eight Sham Stakes scores include the last three, with Newgrange (2022), Life Is Good (2021) and Authentic, who would go on to also win the Kentucky Derby in 2020.

Most recently second, beaten 1 1/4 lengths by stablemate Havameltdown going seven furlongs in the Bob Hope Stakes (G3) at Del Mar Nov. 20, Baffert's Newgate , a first-out maiden five-furlong winner four starts back on July 30, will try two turns for the second time.

Newgate (Into Mischief  ), who had been ridden by Velazquez in all of his previous four starts, will get the first-time services of Frankie Dettori.  In a prior route, Newgate was a distant fifth in his only try around two turns when starting with a wide draw in the Breeders Futurity (G1) at Keeneland Oct. 8.

"I think he's better than what he's shown," Baffert said of Newgate. "He's kind of a slower-maturing type physically and mentally. We're trying to figure him out, and that's what these races are for."

National Treasure, Reincarnate, and Newgate share common ownership, racing for the partnership of SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Robert Masterson, Stonestreet Stables, Jay Schoenfarber, JWaves Edge Capital, and Catherine Donovan.

The biggest question mark among Baffert's foursome would appear to be Speed Boat Beach , who, although he ran quickly in his main track debut, has been on the grass in his past three starts—winning two stakes.  In his most recent effort, and in what was his first try around two turns, the son of Bayern  took the Cecil B. DeMille Stakes (G3T) at one mile on the Del Mar lawn Dec. 4 for owners Mike Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman.

Last week, Baffert scratched him from the Eddie Logan Stakes on turf. 

"He's a horse we've been thinking about sending to the Saudi Derby and Dubai, so I wanted to give him a prep on dirt," Baffert said. 

Baffert would not be surprised to see him in front early under Flavien Prat.

"He's extremely fast, definitely the quickest of the group," Baffert said. 

Baffert's eight Sham Stakes scores include the past three: Newgrange  (2022), Life Is Good   (2021), and Authentic  , who would go on to also win the 2020 Kentucky Derby.

Like Speed Boat Beach, the dual stakes-winning Packs a Wahlop  (Creative Cause  ) moves from turf to dirt, doing so for trainer Jeff Mullins and owners Red Baron's Barn and Rancho Temescal. The newly turned 3-year-old adds blinkers.

Entries: Sham S. (G3)

Santa Anita Park, Sunday, January 08, 2023, Race 8

• Grade III
• 1m
• Dirt
• $100,000
• 3 yo
• 3:30 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	1Newgate (KY)	Lanfranco Dettori	120	Bob Baffert	6/1
2	2National Treasure (KY)	John R. Velazquez	120	Bob Baffert	2/1
3	3Speed Boat Beach (FL)	Flavien Prat	124	Bob Baffert	5/2
4	4Reincarnate (KY)	Juan J. Hernandez	120	Bob Baffert	8/1
5	5Packs a Wahlop (KY)	Ramon A. Vazquez	124	Jeff Mullins	6/1
6	6Spun Intended (KY)	Mike E. Smith	120	Mark Glatt	5/2