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While I could believe the stats with debut juveniles is his all-time best, I'd hesitate to say that this is Baffert's best crop of male juveniles. Only Game Winner and Improbable have won major stakes as the year comes to a close. Certainly Baffert has been more productive (in terms of graded stakes wins/placings) in other seasons. For example:
2002
VINDICATION
KAFWAIN
BULL MARKET
ICECOLDBEERATREDS
CHIEF PLANNER
FRIENDLY MIKE
TRUCKLE FEATURE
SPENSIVE
INDIAN EXPRESS
ROJO TORO
DOMESTIC DISPUTE
1998
EXPLOIT
PRIME TIMBER
FORESTRY
GENERAL CHALLENGE
NATIONAL SAINT
PREMIER PROPERTY
AMERICAN SPIRIT
MUSICAL SWEEP
BRILLIANTLY
FINDER’S GOLD
BLACK MERCURY
A quick glance at the subsequent records of these Baffert maiden 2yo winners of yesteryear should confirm the level-headed prediction that most of the 2018 horses will be quickly run through with no more than 2 or 3 (if that) still around come Derby Day.
With the 2018 debut-winning males thus far:
Roadster - 3 months off following DM Futurity
Tale of the Union - no works since debut in August
Magic On Tap - no works since debut in September
Metropol - unraced since October debut, first work in nearly one month yesterday
Cruel Intention - no works since state-bred stakes win in October
Count Di Luna - no works since debut in November
Personally, I wouldn't put faith in either a Candy Ride (Game Winner) or a City Zip (Improbable) being able to see out 10 furlongs as 3yos in the spring--never mind both--so I don't see this bunch as some sort of bumper crop, especially when laid against some of his previous groups.
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