ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 5, 2020) — With three Grade I wins to her credit, Bob Baffert’s Bast shortened up in distance and rallied to take Sunday’s Grade II, $200,000 Santa Ynez Stakes by 1 ¾ lengths under Drayden Van Dyke.  A 3-year-old Kentucky-bred daughter of Uncle Mo, Bast got seven furlongs while geared down late in 1:23.42.

Baffert, who collected his record fifth Santa Ynez victory, ran 1-2-3 in today’s edition, as Auberge and Golden Principal completed the trifecta.  With the win, Bast receives 10 Kentucky Oaks qualifying points, with four points going to the runner-up, three to third and one point to the fourth place finisher, Orquidias Biz.

Bast, who was shortening up out of win in the Grade I, 1 1/16 miles Starlet Stakes at Los Alamitos Dec. 7, broke from the far outside and was into contention coming out of the seven furlong chute, as she tracked her two stablemates while third heading into the far turn.  Mid-way around the turn however, it appeared she might be laboring when called upon by Van Dyke.

“Bast looked like she was in trouble at the (five sixteenths pole)…” said Baffert.  I heard Frank (Mirahmadi) say she was coming under pressure and the other ones (Auberge and Golden Principal) were looking good.  She came out of the Breeders’ Cup (Juvenile Fillies, third going 1 1/16 miles) well.  She’s a picture of health and that’s why we ran her today.

“You hate to run three in a race like that but it’s a graded race and it’s $200,000.  I want to give all my clients a chance at it…As long as they are doing well and you enter them, the more races you get into ’em, it is better for them.  Especially those other two, there was no race for them, so I think they are going to get a lot out of it.”

Off as the 3-5 favorite in a field of six sophomore fillies, Bast returned $3.20, $2.10 and $2.10.

Owned by Baoma Corporation, Bast, who is out of the Arch mare Laffina, now has four wins, all graded stakes, from six lifetime starts.  With the winner’s share of $120,000, she now has earnings of $852,200.

“The outside post gives you the option of being able to read the pace,” said Van Dyke, who gained the advantage a sixteenth out and has now guided Bast to three graded victories.  “When we got near the quarter pole, the other two were going easy, so I had to get after her.  She was shortening up out of a route, but she kicked it in.”

Auberge was a bit slow into stride but was hustled out of the chute and appeared to be running comfortably on the lead with Golden Principal to her outside into and around the turn, however she was no match for the winner late.

The second choice at 2-1 with Flavien Prat up, Auberge finished 2 ½ lengths in front of Golden Principal and paid $3.00 and $2.10.

Ridden by Mike Smith, Golden Principal was off at 4-1 and paid $2.20 to show while finishing 9 ¼ lengths in front of Orquidias Biz.

The win gave both Van Dyke and Baffert doubles on the day.

Fractions on the race were 22.02, 44.59 and 1:09.99.

SANTA YNEZ STAKES (GII) $200,000 QUOTES    

JOCKEY QUOTES

DRAYDEN VAN DYKE, BAST, WINNER: “The outside post gives you the option of being able to read the pace.  When we got near the quarter pole, the other two were going easy, so I had to get after her.  She was shortening up out of a route, but she kicked it in.

“There was a concern, Bob said the horses were running a big race so I really had to get after her but she showed her class today. I’m very lucky to be in the position I’m in right now. I’m blessed, I am grateful.”
 
TRAINER QUOTES

BOB BAFFERT, BAST, WINNER: “Bast looked like she was in trouble at the (five sixteenths pole)…I heard Frank (Mirahmadi) say she was coming under pressure and the other ones (Authentic and Golden Principal) were looking good.  She came out of the Breeders’ Cup (Juvenile Fillies, third going 1 1/16 miles) well.  She’s a picture of health and that’s why we ran her today.

“You hate to run three in a race like that but it’s a graded race and its $200,000. I want to give all my clients a chance at it. I’ve gone sort of easy on her for this race. Those are two really good fillies that she was chasing there, as you can tell by the way they were spread out.  They showed up, they ran well so here we are.

“She was doing really well, she looks great and I just hate training them too long they could get hurt in the mornings. As long as they are doing well and you enter them, the more races you get into ‘em it is better for them. Especially those other two, there was no race for them, so I think they are going to get a lot out of it. They’ll move way up from this. Bast I can just freshen her up.”
 
NOTES: The winning owner is Baoma Corp. Baffert also sent out Auberge for place and Golden Principal for show.