Masochistic Easy Winner of Triple Bend

California-bred Masochistic, owned by Los Pollos Hermanos Racing and Jay Em Ess Stable, made short work of six foes to win the $300,000 Triple Bend Stakes (gr. I) June 27 at Santa Anita Park. 

With Tyler Baze riding for trainer Ron Ellis, Masochistic went head-to-head with San Onofre on the front end of the seven-horse field, then pulled away easily to win by 3 1/2 lengths over 12-1 longshot Appealing Tale. Wild Dude was 2 3/4 lengths back in third.

The leading pair set fractions of :22.85 and :45.16 through a half mile, 2 1/2 lengths ahead of the rest, then, as San Onofre tired, Masochistic took command and covered six furlongs in 1:08.10. The winner hit the wire in 1:20.25 for seven furlongs on a fast track. The final time was about three-fifths of a second off the track record.

"I didn't ask him for much," Baze said. "All I can say is, 'Awesome.' He was unbelievable."

The a 5-year-old gelding by Sought After seems to keep improving with each start, after beginning the season with a allowance/optional claiming victory and a score in the April 11 Kona Gold Stakes (gr. II), his graded debut.

"It's awesome (how he's progressed). ... He broke sharp and everything went perfect," Ellis said. "It helped that we had the outside post. He's just a super-talented horse and he's learning to relax. That's going to make him tough."

"His head has changed," Baze added. "He's slowed down a bit. Last time, when I rode him, he was a little more aggressive—almost too aggressive. His head has calmed down and he was very classy about everything today."

The even-money favorite, Masochistic paid $4.20, $3.20, and $2.80 across the board. Appealing Tale brought $9.60 and $7, while Wild Dude brought $5.60 to show.

Bred by Francoise Dupuis and Louise Julian, out of the Unusual Heat mare Trotinette, Masochistic now has six wins in eight career starts and $523,850 in earnings.

San Onofre faded to fourth, and Sahara Sky, Blue Tone, and Holy Lute completed the order of finish.