Barnes grabbed headlines in winning his racing debut in what was trainer Bob Baffert's first starter at Churchill Downs in more than three years after being reinstated by the track. In the Jan. 4 San Vicente Stakes (G2) for 3-year-olds at Santa Anita Park, Barnes will take a step toward seeing whether he can return to Churchill on the first Saturday in May.
KING: Barnes Delivers in Baffert's Return to Churchill Downs
The seven-furlong San Vicente goes four months before the Kentucky Derby (G1), so the question is whether Barnes and his four rivals can successfully develop over longer distances to negotiate the 1 1/4-mile Derby. The San Vicente offers no qualifying points, but as recently as 2016, Nyquist won the San Vicente and the Kentucky Derby, as did Silver Charm in 1997, the latter for Baffert.
Go back into the entire history of the race, and you'll find San Vicente/Derby double winners Majestic Prince in 1969, Lucky Debonair in 1965, Swaps in 1955, Hill Gail in 1952, and Gallahadion in 1940.
Barnes, named for Baffert's longtime assistant Jimmy Barnes, greenly scored in the 5 1/2-furlong maiden race by a head over Innovator, who subsequently broke his maiden at Oaklawn Park Dec. 29. A $3.2 million yearling purchase by Zedan Racing Stables and a son of Into Mischief , Barnes gets the services of Juan Hernandez from post 2.
"He had every reason to get beat that day," Baffert said of Barnes. "And 5 1/2 furlongs is probably a little short for him.
"We knew he was a nice horse. He shipped (to Churchill Downs) and handled everything well. He was a little bit green. He was in a bad post and got jostled around a little bit ... We'll see how he handles the next step."
Baffert also has entered Romanesque, who won his only outing thus far by 2 1/4 lengths at Del Mar Nov. 23. Romanesque, a $435,000 acquisition from the 2023 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, also comes from the Into Mischief sire line, being by the Into Mischief son Practical Joke . Baffert has named Mike Smith to ride from post 3.
Bullard, a $675,000 Keeneland September yearling, is 2-for-2, most recently capturing the seven-furlong Bob Hope Stakes (G3) Nov. 17 at Del Mar from off the pace. The son of Gun Runner will have Umberto Rispoli in the irons from post 5 for trainer Michael McCarthy.
San Vicente entrant McKinzie Street finished third to Bullard in the Bob Hope for trainer Tim Yakteen. A son of McKinzie , one of the top first-crop sires in 2024, McKinzie Street has the most experience in the San Vicente field. Though he has only won once in four starts, he finished second in the Del Mar Futurity (G1) and third in the American Pharoah Stakes (G1). McKinzie Street, a $290,000 Ocala Breeders' Sales Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training purchase, gets a new pilot in Antonio Fresu and drew the rail.
Smooth Cruisein, a son of Girvin , sold for a much more modest $41,000 as a yearling at the 2023 OBS October Yearling Sale. But he has also won in his only try, getting home by a half-length Oct. 27 at Santa Anita going six furlongs. Karen Headley trains the colt, whom Ricardo Gonzalez will ride from post 4.
Santa Anita Park, Saturday, January 4, 2025, Race 5Entries: San Vicente S. (G2)
PP Horse Jockey Wgt Trainer M/L 1 1McKinzie Street (KY) Antonio Fresu 120 Tim Yakteen 10/1 2 2Barnes (KY) Juan J. Hernandez 120 Bob Baffert 8/5 3 3Romanesque (PA) Mike E. Smith 120 Bob Baffert 5/1 4 4Smooth Cruisein (FL) Ricardo Gonzalez 120 Karen Headley 12/1 5 5Bullard (KY) Umberto Rispoli 124 Michael W. McCarthy 4/5
Eagles Flight Ready to Soar in Return
A couple of races later on the Saturday card, the promising Eagles Flight resumes racing in the seventh race, a first-level allowance optional claimer at a mile that drew a quality field for the level that includes New King, Mirahmadi, and Invigorated.
A 4-year-old in 2025, Eagles Flight is by Curlin and a half brother to 2022 Horse of the Year Flightline . He delivered a powerful performance in his debut at six furlongs May 27 at Santa Anita but has not raced since. Bred in Kentucky and co-owned by Summer Wind Equine, the bay colt is co-owned by Hronis Racing, Summer Wind, and Bill Farish and trained by Flightline's trainer, John Sadler.
"We're anxious to get him started," Sadler said of Eagles Flight. "He had some delays last year obviously, but he's a talented horse."
Eagles Flight adds blinkers for his second start.
