'I feel like a 500-pound gorilla is off my back' - Charlatan returns for Baffert

Saturday marked a striking return to the top for Charlatan, as the colt ran away with the Grade 1 Malibu Stakes at Santa Anita, with trainer Bob Baffert describing the victory as feeling "like a 500-pound gorilla is off my back."

Charlatan's racing career may still be in its early throes, but the three-year-old has already had more ups and downs than many thoroughbreds.

Back in May, Charlatan was ante-post favourite with some firms for the Kentucky Derby following a dominant victory in a division of the Arkansas Derby.

Santa Anita results

But the son of Speightstown would then be stripped of victory after testing positive for a banned substance. An ankle injury would then sideline Charlatan and remove him from Kentucky Derby contention.

However, his reappearance on Saturday showed he still retains all of his ability, as he sauntered to a four-and-a-half length victory under Mike Smith.

A relieved and delighted Baffert, quoted by Bloodhorse, said: "I feel like a 500-pound gorilla is off my back. He picked up where he left off. Every one of his races has been a 'wow' performance.

"Sometimes we forget how fast these horses are, but he's always been the brilliant one. The kind of brilliance you find in a horse like him is hard to come by."

Although Triple Crown ambitions may have been dashed, there are several high-profile options open to Charlatan, including the Dubai World Cup in March, for which he is now as short as 6-1 with Paddy Power and Betfair Sportsbook.

"He came back like he wasn't tired," Baffert added. "We'll try to keep him happy and see where we go."

The Malibu Stakes was one of three Grade 1s on the Santa Anita card, with the La Brea Stakes and American Oaks completing the trifecta.

Fair Maiden and jockey Ricardo Gonzalez enjoyed breakthrough victories at the highest level when taking the La Brea by two and a quarter lengths.

Trainer Eoin Harty thinks Gonzalez is destined for the top, and said on Godolphin's website: “I have been watching Ricardo ride since he came down here and I think he is the next superstar.

"He is brave and he puts his horses in a spot to win. I grab him every time I can because I think he is a world-class rider, and today was his first Grade 1 win."

Duopoly successfully handled stepping into Grade 1 company, with a surprise two-length defeat of favourite Sharing in the American Oaks for Chad Brown and Flavien Prat.

Read more

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