Baffert’s Faypien Game in G2 Summertime Oaks Thriller

ARCADIA, CA — In her first-ever time around two turns, Bob Baffert’s Faypien proved ultra-game late as she held off longshot Mopotism to win Saturday’s Grade 2, $200,000 Summertime Oaks at Santa Anita.

Ridden by Rafael Bejarano, Faypien got a mile and 1/16 in 1:43.17.

A length off of pacesetter Sheza Chattykat a 1/4 mile from home, Faypien swung four-wide at the top of the lane in second. It appeared that she might’ve been beaten by Spooky Woods, who shot through at the rail turning for home. Faypien, however, dug in determinedly when challenged to her outside by Mopotisim, who just missed in a thriller.

“When we purchased her, we were hoping for something like this,” said Baffert. “I honestly thought my other horse, Noted and Quoted, would do better. Rafael rode a great race today, though, and he rode with a lot of confidence. He had the horse to finish with.”

Owned by Susan and Charlie Chu’s Baoma Corporation, the Florida-bred filly by Ghostzapper out of the Freud mare Mighty Eros followed up on a 1/2-length win here in the 7-furlong Angels Flight Stakes on May 14 to register her third consecutive win from four starts. With the winner’s share of $120,000, she now has earnings of $205,680.

“I wanted to put her in the race right away and go from there,” said Bejarano. “I was able to find my position right away and she relaxed, she was comfortable. I waited as long as I could. When I came into the stretch, it was tough. She tried every step, and I knew Mopotism was flying in the end. She deserved to win because she was working really hard.”

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Ridden by Mario Gutierrez, Mopotism was full of run while fifth turning for home. She had to momentarily wait for room a furlong out, then shifted to the middle of the track and finished a 1/2-length in front of the original third place finisher, Spooky Woods.

Spooky Woods, ridden by Flavien Prat, drifted in slightly inside the furlong pole, causing her stablemate, It Tiz Well, and jockey Mike Smith to steady. As a result, the stewards disqualified Spooky Woods and placed her fifth, just behind It Tiz Well, who was also the 6-5 favorite.

As a result of the DQ, Majestic Quality, ridden by Kent Desormeaux, was moved up from fourth to third. Sheza Chattykat, Goseecal, and Noted and Quoted completed the order of finish. Selcourt was scratched.

Fractions on the race were :23.14, :46.95, 1:11.02, and 1:36.67.

Faypien returned $9, $5, and $3.60. Mopotism brought back $9.40 and $5.60, while Majestic Quality paid $3 to show.

Additional Race Quotes

Jockey Rafael Bejarano, Faypien: “She’s been working really well lately. She broke really well. When I saw Selcourt scratch, I knew that Sheza Chattykat was the only speed.”

Trainer Bob Baffert, Faypien: “There’s always concerns going into a race, but she really grinds it out every race and she’s tough. She’s all heart, and she was all heart that last hundred yards.

“I’ve got a great staff, and I’m fortunate to have all of these good horses. I have great owners. The Baoma Corporation, Susan Chu, Charlie Chu.

“It’s nice to have these places all over the country to ship into and run. Races like this are why we purchase fillies like this. I’m fortunate that we found the right one, the right filly for the Chus, and it doesn’t always work out that way.”

Santa Anita Park