Xigera Ready to Get Back on Top for Bauer

There must have been much disappointment in the barn of trainer Phil Bauer when star mare Played Hard  had to retire one start after earning the trainer's first grade 1. However, that disappointment was quickly met with excitement as a new star emerged, Xigera .

"(Xigera's) a pleasure to train," Bauer said. "She kind of has a bit of a sassy attitude every now and again, but she loves to go out there and work."

The daughter of 2016 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Nyquist  's responsiveness and willingness to train is the key difference between her and Played Hard, and Bauer hopes it will lead her to a longer stay at the top.

"It helps that you can try and freshen her between races," Bauer said. "When you compare her to Played Hard, she was tough. She went out there every day and trained almost too hard. I think for the longevity of the horse, it's easier when they are cooperative with what you want to do."

Having these two stable stars has been a long time coming for Bauer. As a former assistant to trainer Kenny McPeek, Bauer established a relationship with Richard Rigney, the owner of an extract manufacturer for the beverage industry called Clarendon Flavors.

Rigney was impressed with Bauer and encouraged him to go off on his own.

"You always think about (going off on your own), but the numbers are scary because they can fluctuate so much," Bauer said. "He countered back with a private deal, and it was something I could not refuse."

In 2013, Bauer started training privately for Rigney, a relative rarity in the modern American Thoroughbred racing era.

"I definitely wake up every morning counting my blessings," Bauer said. "It's a very unique situation but it's a great opportunity for me, and the Rigneys are great people."

Rigney and Bauer had moderate success early on, but not to the level they wanted. However, Rigney's faith in Bauer never subsided and once the pair teamed up with bloodstock agent John Moynihan, they are now consistently finding themselves with high-quality horses.

"The key is the horse. When (Rigney) realized that, he stuck with me and the team. It's come full circle now," Bauer said. "It's nice to have that support. Hopefully, he sets a good example for other owners."

That faith and determination has paid off, and maybe even rubbed off on Bauer as he attempts to solve the puzzle piece that has been the start of Xigera's 4-year-old season.

Wrapping up 2023 with dominant victories in the Mother Goose (G2) and Falls City (G3) stakes, hopes were high coming into the new year. However, a disastrous last-of-five finish in a sloppy renewal of the La Troienne Stakes (G1), the race that was Played Hard's claim to fame, left Bauer scratching his head.

"All the training going into the La Troienne signaled that she's only going to be better at 4 than she was at 3," Bauer said. "She's continued to mature physically and mentally, just a horse that loves the game."

Bauer played it cautious leading into her next start, the Shawnee Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs June 1. She bounced back with a strong second to Scylla , leaving Bauer to theorize the poor La Troienne performance was due to the track condition.

"We didn't want to hit the panic button after the La Troienne so just eased her back into training—making sure there wasn't a missing piece that we couldn't recognize," Bauer said. "I didn't want to overdo things going into it."

Now with the question answered, Xigera is fully tuned up for a rematch with Scylla in the $500,000 Fleur de Lis Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs June 29.

"We've turned the screws and (are) getting back on track with what we thought would be a powerful year for her," Bauer said. "I think if we can get this one done, it'll put us where we want to be: back in the conversation as a leader in the division once we face the others again."

Should Xigera run to Bauer's expectations Saturday, he plans to point her to the Aug. 23 Personal Ensign Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course. The ultimate goal will be a start in the Nov. 2 Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) at Del Mar.

"The breezes indicate she's as good as ever, I'm very excited about this weekend," said Bauer.

The more horses like Played Hard and Xigera that Bauer trains, the more likely he will be to compete at the top level. Bauer believes what he learns training these top level horses will translate into elevating all the horses under his care.

"It's a game changer when you get athletes like these horses," Bauer said. "You learn a lot from them and it puts you in a position in the game to compete at the top level. Everyone dreams to do it. Once it's reality, you're setting a new bar."