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ARCADIA, Calif. – Barnes defeated stablemate Romanesque by 5 1/2 lengths to win the $200,000 San Vicente Stakes for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert in a field of Kentucky Derby hopefuls Saturday at Santa Anita.
Ridden by Juan Hernandez, Barnes ran seven furlongs in a time of 1:22.15 and paid $4, $2.80 and $2.10 as the slight money favorite. The 3-year-old colt earned $307 more in total wins than Pollard.
“I knew he was going to do well,” Baffert said. “I was watching Juan, he knows the horse well, and he said it was a bit green. But everyone who has worked with him says he has other gear. They are all a bit green. The second (race) is the most important for all these horses.
Barnes improved to 2-0. He was purchased for $3.2 million as a two-year-old by owner Amr Zidan.
“He had to stretch to get that horse,” Baffert said. “When you have clients like this, that’s what it’s all about.”
Romanesque, also trained by Baffert, returned $5.20 and $2.40. Pollard was another half-length back in third and paid $2.10 to show.
In his second career start and first in a stakes race, Barnes contested the lead with Mackenzie Street in the opening half mile. Barnes spun wide midway through turn two and ran hard through the stretch to take the win.
“He’s really good. I love him,” said Hernandez, who was riding Barnes for the first time. “He’s been aggressive in the back but he’s still learning how to run. I like him because he got off the reins at the quarter point and was looking around a little bit. But when I corrected it, it came back to me. “I was really surprised by the way he finished the day.”
Baffert said Barnes reminded him of 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah.
Barnes is named after Baffert’s longtime assistant, Jimmy Barnes.
“They surprised me and I was honored,” Barnes said. “I was a little nervous, but it’s going well so far. I had a little knot in my stomach, but it’s only going to get better from here.
