Race Recaps Earls Rock Splits Rivals To Win Baffle February 5, 2021 Credit: Ernie Belmonte Race Recaps Earls Rock Splits Rivals To Win Baffle February 5, 2021 By: Curtis "Magic" Kalleward twitteremail Share: share on facebook share on twitter share on linkedin email this article ARCADIA, CA – Anthony Fanticola’s Earls Rock split his rivals in mid-stretch, then outkicked a game Beer Can Man to win Friday’s $75,000 Baffle Stakes at Santa Anita Park. ( Content Continues Below Ad ) Earls Rock broke from post 2 under Flavien Prat as the 4/5 favorite and settled well off the pace, heading the last third of the field while Exhalting held an early lead over his Doug O’Neill stablemate Mac Daddy Too. Prat allowed Earls Rock to join the fray heading into the far turn and angled him toward the rail midway through so that he cut the corner and took flight at the top of the stretch. Running between Mac Daddy Too and an outside-rallying Beer Can Man, Earls Rock took command a furlong out and gradually pulled ahead of Beer Can Man before crossing 3/4 of a length clear. The Phil D’Amato trainee completed the 6 1/2-furlong firm turf sprint in 1:16.15. Credit: Ernie Belmonte “The distance was a bit of a question mark, it was a little short for him,” Prat said. “But he relaxed well behind horses, and when I asked him to go, he really cut.” Mac Daddy Too faded late to finish 3 1/4 lengths behind but still saved third by 1 1/4 lengths over Harlan Estate. Sword Zorro, Commander Khai, Weston, Gator Shining, and Exhalting completed the order of finish. Following the race, the stewards conducted an inquiry into a possible incident near the 1/4 pole between Earls Rock and Weston, which may have been why the latter horse had to steady. However, the stewards determined unanimously that the video replay was inconclusive and made no changes. Earls Rock’s win followed an impressive North American racing debut, a 1-mile route over this lawn on January 9 in his first start for D’Amato and Fanticola. The Irish-bred Fascinating Rock colt began his career overseas, finishing second in a 7-furlong turf sprint over soft ground last September. “This is about as short as he wants,” D’Amato said. “The jock rode a tremendous race. He was very patient and the way he split horses, it made all the difference.” Earls Rock returned $3.80 to win, $3 to place, and $2.60 to show. Beer Can Man brought back $5 to place and $3.60 to show, while Mac Daddy Too paid $5.40 to show.
Jim Dandy 2024 Picks and Rapid-Fire | Blinkers Off 677 The Racing Dudes preview and give picks for Saturday’s $500,000… Read More
Del Mar Pick 5 Preview | The Magic Mike Show 559 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
Saratoga Saturday Pick 5 Preview | Dudes Who Bet Sports 200 Aaron & Papa Dude preview Saturday’s Late Pick 5 from… Read More
Del Mar Pick 5 Preview | The Magic Mike Show 558 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
Haskell Stakes 2024 Picks and Rapid-Fire | Blinkers Off 676 The Racing Dudes preview and give picks for Saturday’s $1… Read More
Jim Dandy Stakes 2024 Betting Bible | Get Saratoga Picks NOW! Get the 2024 Jim Dandy Stakes Betting Bible, featuring our EXACT race-by-race… Read More
Jim Dandy 2024 Picks and Rapid-Fire | Blinkers Off 677 The Racing Dudes preview and give picks for Saturday’s $500,000… Read More
Del Mar Pick 5 Preview | The Magic Mike Show 559 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
Horse Racing BEST BETS: Saratoga July 27-28, 2024 Vinny from Real Dynasty Picks gives his horse racing best… Read More
Saratoga Exacta Picks & Plays | Jim Dandy Stakes 2024 Dr. Miranda gives her Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) exacta picks… Read More