Misremembered wins $750,000 Santa Anita Handicap by half-length for trainer Bob Baffert

Misremembered wins Santa Anita Handicap

ARCADIA, Calif. — Misremembered won the $750,000 Santa Anita Handicap on Saturday, holding off fast-closing Neko Bay by a half-length.

The victory was Misremembered’s first after three consecutive runner-up finishes, putting Hall of Famer Bob Baffert in the winner’s circle as the horse’s trainer, co-owner and breeder.

Ridden by Martin Garcia, Misremembered ran 1¼ miles in 2:00.20, the 4-year-old horse’s first victory at the distance. He paid $10.80, $6 and $4.40 at 4-1 odds.

Neko Bay returned $7.80 and $6, while Dakota Phone was another 2¼ lengths back in third and paid $10.40 to show.

Jeranimo was fourth in the 14-horse field.

St Trinians finished sixth as the 3-1 wagering favorite who was attempting to become the first filly or mare to win the Big ‘Cap in its 73-year history.

Baffert’s wife, Jill, kissed Misremembered on the nose as he was led into the winner’s circle. The couple’s son, Bode, cradled the silver trophy for the photo and, with some prompting from his mother, chirped into a TV microphone.

Earlier Saturday, Baffert saddled a pair of 3-year-old colts, The Program and Marcello, in the $150,000 Sham Stakes. The Program finished third and Marcello was sixth.

Alphie’s Bet won the prep for next month’s $750,000 Santa Anita Derby by 2¼ lengths over Setsuko.

In the $250,000 Frank E. Kilroe Mile, Proviso defeated Fluke by a nose in a photo finish between horses previously trained by the late Bobby Frankel, who died of cancer in November.

The 5-year-old mare became the first female to win the race in its 51st running.

Proviso is now trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott, while Fluke has remained with Humberto Ascanio, Frankel’s longtime assistant in Southern California.

“Billy told me, ‘You’ve got to get her to relax if you can. Anything you do could set her off,’” jockey Mike Smith said. “She beat a great bunch of boys here today. I thought I won it and I pumped my fist just to sell it (to the placing judges).”

Crisp won the $250,000 Santa Anita Oaks for 3-year-old fillies by a neck over All Due Respect. Blind Luck, the 1-2 wagering favorite, was another neck back in third after rallying from seventh.

“We got beat the whole way,” said Jerry Hollendorfer, trainer of Blind Luck, who was seeking her third consecutive Grade 1 victory.

The filly was the 4-1 favorite at the conclusion of Friday’s Kentucky Oaks future wagering.

Ridden by Joel Rosario, Crisp ran 1 1-16 miles in 1:43.50 and paid $13.60 to win. She ran with blinkers, and Rosario said they made her more focused.

Trainer John Sadler plans to bring Crisp to the Derby-eve Oaks.

“She’s got good stamina and can run a big distance,” he said.