Longshot Reincarnate Takes Sham Stakes for Baffert
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Photo: Benoit Photo
Reincarnate powers home in the Sham Stakes at Santa Anita Park
After winning for the first time in late November, Bob Baffert trainee Reincarnate powered into 2023 with renewed energy to win by a neck at 16-1 odds in the Jan. 8 Sham Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita Park. He led a 1-2-3 finish for Baffert.
Setting out in front quickly under the Southern California track's leading jockey, Juan Hernandez, the gray or roan son of Good Magic battled through fractions of :22.28 and :45.57, with Spun Intended dueling early in an attempt to put a nose in front. Spun Intended dropped back after briefly leading at the half-mile mark. He was pulled up and walked into a van following the race.
The final turn approached in 1:09.55 as Frankie Dettori, on Newgate, moved from the outside into second.
Pressure mounted for Reincarnate after 7 furlongs in 1:22.76 as Newgate continued his charge, with late-running National Treasure also putting in a bid. Despite putting on pressure they were not able to catch Reincarnate, who took the $100,000, one-mile event for 3-year-olds over the fast main track in 1:35.87.
"He showed up today like he can go on the turf or the dirt," Hernandez told FanDuel TV's Kurt Hoover. "I think he moved really smooth on the dirt. He surprised me; he was sharp out of the gate. I came out with a plan, probably to stay behind horses and make more room, but when the gate opens, everything changes.
"He broke very sharp and sailed in front. I felt the fractions, it was a hot pace, but he's a big horse and has a huge stride, so I just let him go and have fun. I threw him on the lead and he held on today."
Reincarnate under Juan Hernandez takes the Sham by a neck
Newgate was second and 3-5 favorite National Treasure was third.
Owned by the partnership of SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Robert Masterson, Stonestreet Stables, Jay Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital, and Catherine Donovan, Reincarnate ($35) improved to 2-3-0 from five starts and increased his earnings to $142,400.
Baffert earned his fourth win in a row in the Sham, following Authentic (2020), Life Is Good (2021), and Newgrange (2021). Since its inception in 2001, the Hall of Famer has saddled nine of the 22 winners.
Hernandez ended the day with a triple, including Post Facto 's maiden win earlier on the card and The Wild Grazer in an allowance optional claimer right before the Sham.
Bred by Woods Edge Farm in Kentucky, Reincarnate was a $775,000 purchase by SF Bloodstock and Madaket from the breeder's consignment to the 2021 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. He is out of the stakes-winning Scat Daddy mare Allanah, who has three winners from four foals to race. She has a yearling Liam's Map colt and was bred back to More Than Ready for 2023.