Masteroffoxhounds Easily Best in San Marcos

ARCADIA, CA – Rockingham Ranch’s Masteroffoxhounds proved to be easily the best as he made a smashing 2021 debut in Saturday’s $200,000 San Marcos Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita Park.

Joel Rosario piloted the stumbling 8/5 second choice Masteroffoxhounds from post 2 into a stalking position behind Acclimate, the 6/5 favorite who set fractions of :24.41, :49.37, 1:14.19, and 1:38.49 through the opening mile.

Rosario tipped Masteroffoxhounds out at the top of the stretch and kept the Richard Baltas trainee under confident handling as he strode to the lead at the 1/8 pole under his own power before crossing victorious.

Masteroffoxhounds was 1 1/4 lengths clear of Acclimate as he completed the firm 1 1/4-mile turf route in 2:01.39.

“He was moving pretty well for me,” Rosario said. “The whole time, I was tracking the horse in front with a nice stride. I had a lot of confidence in my horse. I was keeping him focused a bit in the last part, but (he) was much the best in the end.”

Acclimate remained 1 1/2 lengths in front of Starting Over, who edged Salvator Mundi by a 1/2-length for third.

Cleopatra’s Strike and Oscar Dominguez completed the order of finish.

Masteroffoxhounds’ win was his second straight following a 1 3/8-mile triumph at Del Mar last November against optional claiming rivals. The 4-year-old War Front colt, who began his career in Ireland, improved his record to 9-3-1-1 with $172,942.

““I was worried it was going to be a slow pace, and it was,” Baltas said. “He was impressive last time and was trained up well going into this race. It was a big jump from one event to a stake, but he’s got a lot of credibility.”

Masteroffoxhounds returned $5.40 to win, $2.60 to place, and $2.40 to show. Acclimate brought back $2.60 to place and $2.40 to show, while Starting Over paid $5 to show.