Power Broker won for the
first time in four starts, surging through the stretch under Rafael Bejarano to
capture the FrontRunner Stakes for 2-year-olds by 6 1/2 lengths.
He ran 1 1/16 miles in
1:44.44 and paid $12.60, $6.20 and $4 at 9-2 odds for Bob Baffert. Power Broker
earned a spot in the BC Juvenile on Nov. 3.
“This
horse has turned out really good," said Bejarano.” I’m surprised with the way he
ran today, he was amazing. It was the first time he ran on this track at this
distance and it looked like he loved this track. It’s important to be on the
lead right now, and it was easy to find early position right away.”
Know More, the 8-5
favorite running on dirt for the first time, finished second for Doug O'Neill.
“He
traveled good," said Know More’s pilot Garrett Gomez. “He did everything
perfect. It was the first time doing two turns. First time really being on dirt.
He handled everything really well. I have to tell you the Baffert horse was
just better today. We’ll have to go for round two.”
Capo Bastone was third.
Carving, co-owned by Olympic champion skier Bode Miller and Baffert's wife,
Jill, led much of the way before fading to fourth in his first loss in three
starts.
Baffert's other starter,
Den's Legacy, was fifth.
“I was really high on Power Broker
before we went to Del Mar," said Baffert. “I thought he was a top horse. He let
me down when he ran down there, and I was a little disappointed. Then he came
back and he didn’t work that well. Then he worked really well the other day. I
was thinking of putting him on the grass. After that last race, I switched him
up. It worked out.”
(When asked about Kentucky Derby
prospects for Power Broker) “It’s too early.”