BackTrack: The Factor Impresses in San Vicente

This year's Breeders' Cup may reap several of its starters from a set of grade 2 races at Santa Anita Park in mid-February. Don't be surprised to see The Factor , Smiling Tiger , Champ Pegasus , and Bourbon Bay among the entries at Churchill Downs come November.

San Carlos Handicap (G2) winner Smiling Tiger will likely head for the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1), and San Luis Obispo Stakes (G2T) one-two Champ Pegasus and Bourbon Bay may have the Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T) in their sights. However, San Vicente Stakes (G2) winner The Factor could land in one of several spots, depending on how this freakishly fast 3-year-old son of War Front —Greyciousness, by Miswaki, develops.

Trainer Bob Baffert and owners George Bolton and David Shimmon don't even want to say the words "Triple Crown" out loud. They know that winning a seven-furlong stakes debut Feb. 20 doesn't necessarily translate to 1 1/4 miles in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1). But they also recognize sheer talent.

The Factor broke the Santa Anita six-furlong track record when he won a maiden race by 8 1/4 lengths Dec. 26. Baffert took care of a minor foot problem, shipped The Factor to Hollywood Park for quieter training, and put Martin Garcia aboard for the San Vicente.

The result? The Factor set blazing fractions of :22.20, :43.41, and 1:07.31 en route to a three-quarter-length victory in 1:20.34 on a wet-fast track. Sway Away made a huge move from last to finish second and stamped himself as a Triple Crown hopeful.

"The Factor trains great and has got a great mind," said Shimmon, who races as Fog City Stable. "He relaxes and really likes to be on the track."

Bolton bought The Factor for $250,000 at the 2010 Barretts May sale and brought his San Francisco neighbor Shimmon in for 40%. They sent him to Baffert, who quickly realized what he had.

"Bob texted me June 15: 'The Factor is a freak,'" Bolton said.

Phil Lebherz, co-owner of Sway Away, was thrilled with his colt's finish. He was even happier the day before, when Smiling Tiger overcame a stumble at the start to win the seven-furlong San Carlos by a head. Lebherz owns the 4-year-old son of Hold That Tiger—Shandra Smiles, by Cahill Road, with Alan Klein. Jeff Bonde trains Smiling Tiger and Sway Away.

"Tiger really showed his class today," said Lebherz.

Earlier on the Feb. 19 card Bourbon Bay and Champ Pegasus, first and second in the Jan. 17 San Marcos Stakes (G2T), renewed their rivalry in the 1 1/2-mile San Luis Obispo. The race remained on the turf, listed as good, after overnight rains and just before the rain began again.

This time Champ Pegasus came away the victor by a nose in a head-bobbing finish. The pair clocked the distance in 2:31.55. Gerald Ford's Diamond A Racing and Arturo Vargas bred and own Champ Pegasus, a 5-year-old son of Fusaichi Pegasus —Salt Champ, by Salt Lake. Joel Rosario, who also won with Smiling Tiger, rode him for trainer Richard Mandella.

Both Champ Pegasus and Bourbon Bay may head for Dubai and the March 26 Dubai Sheema Classic (G1).

Turf distaffers rounded out the holiday weekend Feb. 21. Cozi Rosie captured the one-mile Buena Vista Handicap (G2T). Jerry and Ann Moss bred and own the 4-year-old daughter of Pleasantly Perfect—Felidia, by Golden Fleece. Anthony Bilich, Jason Cline, and George Schmitt's Cambina, in her second U.S. start, defeated 3-year-old fillies on Santa Anita's downhill turf course of about 6 1/2 furlongs in the La Habra Stakes (G3T).