Bob Baffert will be heavily expected to train the winner of the G1 California Crown Stakes this weekend when making a prediction.
The horse racing Hall of Famer saddles both National Treasure and Muth in the race at Santa Anita, with both holding obvious claims in a stacked field.
Senor Buscador also has big-race wins to his name and could have a role to play.
Offshore Odds: National Treasure Narrowly Preferred to Stablemate
[Latest odds taken from bet365 at 8:17 am on 09.27.24]
| Horse | Odds |
|---|---|
| National Treasure | +162 |
| Muth | +187 |
| Senor Buscador | +500 |
| Newgate | +800 |
| Subsanador | +1200 |
| Indispensable | +3300 |
| Katonah | +3300 |
California Crown Stakes Recent Winners
| Year | Winning Horse | Winning Jockey | Winning Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Slow Down Andy | Mario Gutierrez | Doug O’Neill |
| 2022 | Defunded | Edwin Maldonado | Bob Baffert |
| 2021 | Medina Spirit | John Velazquez | Bob Baffert |
| 2020 | Improbable | Drayden Van Dyke | Bob Baffert |
| 2019 | Mongolian Groom | Abel Cedillo | Enebish Ganbat |
California Crown Stakes: Race Information
| Information | Stats |
|---|---|
| Track | Santa Anita |
| Classification | Grade One |
| First Held | 1982 |
| Race Distance | 1 1/8 Miles |
| Race Conditions | Three-Year-Olds + |
| Purse | $1,000,000 |
| Most Successful Jockey | Gary Stevens (5) |
| Most Successful Trainer | Bob Baffert (8) |
Baffert Holds Two Leading Chances
Unsurprisingly, Bob Baffert runners dominate the betting, with the Hall of Famer chasing a ninth win in the race. National Treasure is narrowly preferred.
But, he will need to return to form after a sub-par run in the G1 Whitney when finishing sixth of ten. Was solid over a mile prior to that effort when landing the G1 Met Mile. Concerns surrounding his ability over this trip are glaring.
I’m incredibly surprised Muth is the outsider of the Baffert runners this weekend. The three-year-old has looked a potential superstar throughout his career, and has been campaigned with the Classic in mind this term.
He was dominant when winning the Belief Stakes earlier this month, and that run was perfect for getting the runner up to speed ahead of this Grade One effort.
Senor Buscador Overlooked Again
I must admit, Senor Buscador is one of my favorite horses in training. The six-year-old always gives his running, and has been no stranger to big race success after landing the G1 Saudi Cup earlier in 2024.
Ran to great credit when third in the G1 Dubai World Cup, before returning to action after a lengthy break with a subdued effort when fourth of eight in the G2 Pat O’Brien Stakes.
Likely needed that comeback run, and will be a must for exotics players this weekend.
Muth to Silence Doubters
The Breeders’ Cup Classic already has an open feel about it this year, and Muth could throw the betting into a frenzy on Saturday.
The Baffert runner was my pick for the Kentucky Derby, before runners from the yard were excluded following an update earlier in 2024.
His campaign this term is tailored toward these big purses at the end of the season, meaning I expect him to win at Santa Anita, before following up with a bold bid for Classic glory in November.
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