How to bet the Baffle Stakes

A very good field of seven three-year-olds will go 6 1/2 panels down the Hillside Turf Course at Santa Anita in Sunday’s $100,000 Baffle S. I liked and bet on Phil D’Amato’s #7 Later Than Planned in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1) at huge odds, and I have to come back with him on this occasion in his first try down the hill. 

Baffle Wagers

• $10 win and place #7 Later Than Planned ($20)
• $5 exacta key box 7 with 2,3 ($20) 
• $1 trifecta box 2,3,7 ($6)

The son of Cotai Glory was runner-up in his debut in Ireland prior to arriving in the states. He has flashed good potential in the U.S., earning his first stakes win when taking the Speakeasy S. on the local lawn at five panels, which preceded his encouraging late run in the Breeders’ Cup. The bay colt has posted four morning drills in the interim to prepare for his seasonal bow. He drew well on the outside and will have regular rider Umberto Rispoli in the silks once again. 

I’m intrigued with the Bob Baffert-trained #2 Greenwich Village in his turf debut under Juan Hernandez. The $350,000 son of Quality Road chased the pace before tiring in the San Vicente (G2) in his latest outing and will race with the blinkers off for the initial time on Sunday. He is bred to thrive on the grass, and the Kentucky-bred will still show a measure of gate speed despite the equipment change. I expect the price to be fair and for the colt to be in the mix for a long time in the heat. 

Grade 3 winner #3 Hey Nay Nay comes off a close third in the Cecil B. Demille (G3) at Del Mar and will revert to a sprint off the layoff for John Sadler. The No Nay Never colt was a seven-length winner of the Tyro S. at Monmouth Park the last time he dashed on the green, and the $300,000 yearling purchase will be the one to run down at the top of the lane in the contest. Fine turf pilot Hector Berrios will guide the Irish-bred sophomore and have him forwardly placed from the outset.