Pilot Commander Gets First Graded Win in San Carlos

CSLR Racing Partners' Pilot Commander  won his first graded stakes with a hard-fought victory March 29 in the $100,000 San Carlos Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita Park.

The 4-year-old Justify   colt trained by Bob Baffert had gotten close in two previous graded attempts, finishing second to talented stablemate Muth   in the 2024 San Vicente Stakes (G2) and later running fourth, beaten 2 1/2 lengths, in the 2024 Malibu Stakes (G1), both at Santa Anita.

Sent off as the 2-5 favorite in the 5-horse San Carlos, Pilot Commander and rider Juan Hernandez broke from the rail and stalked the leaders from close range along that inside path, never much more than a length off the lead.

He was briefly shuffled back to fourth with the horses tightly bunched through a half-mile in :45.34 and Hernandez waiting for an opening. That opportunity came as the field turned for home, and Pilot Commander took the lead inside of Spirit of Makena  in early stretch. He hit the six-furlong mark in 1:10.59, then battling grittily to the wire while remaining on his left lead. The final time for seven furlongs on the dirt track rated fast was 1:23.98. He returned $2.80 to a $2 win wager.

"The was a tough out, but he showed a lot of heart," said CSLR's Alex Childs. "Bob has done an incredible job with the horse, and I couldn't be happier."

For All Mankind  finished three-quarters of a length behind in second, and Spirit of Makena, making his first start since 2023, finished another half-length back in third.

It was the fifth San Carlos win for Baffert, who said removing blinkers from Pilot Commander in his previous start, a Feb. 1 allowance optional claiming victory, might have made a difference to his trainee.

"When we drew the 1 hole, I knew it wouldn't be easy for him. Taking the blinkers off, he's learned to relax, which he needed to do today," Baffert said. "I knew he was caught in a tight spot, and it looked like, oh boy, he's gonna have to really show his grit.

"You could tell that last 100 yards, he was not gonna be denied. He was reaching out there, had his ears pinned."

CSLR purchased Pilot Commander for $700,000 at the 2023 Ocala Breeders' March Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training, where Niall Brennan Stables consigned him.

Pilot Commander has won four times and finished second twice in seven starts, earning $240,600. He is the 15th graded winner for leading fourth-crop sire Justify, who stands at Ashford Stud in Kentucky for an advertised fee of $250,000 in 2025.

This story will be updated with the result of the Wilshire Stakes (G3T).