SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2020 BLOODHORSE.COM/DAILY BENOIT PHOTO STANDOUT Charlatan Returns With Dazzling Malibu Victory See page 3 IN THIS ISSUE 13 Duopoly Turns Back Sharing in American Oaks 14 Fair Maiden Upsets La Brea 15 Kiss Today Goodbye Pulls Off San Antonio Surprise BLOODHORSE DAILY Download the FREE smartphone app PAGE 1 OF 34 CONTENTS 3 Charlatan Returns With Dazzling Malibu Victory 7 Leading Jockeys 8 On Racing: Santa Anita Opener ‘A Day Like No Other’ 13 Duopoly Turns Back Sharing in American Oaks 14 Fair Maiden Upsets La Brea 15 Kiss Today Goodbye Pulls Off San Antonio Surprise 17 Smooth Like Strait Takes Mathis Brothers Mile 19 Colonel Liam Eyes Pegasus Turf Bid After Tropical Park 20 Eres Tu Makes the Grade in Allaire du Pont 21 Harpers First Ride Wins Fourth Stakes in Native Dancer 25 Danon the Kid Preserves Perfect Record in Hopeful 26 Dubai World Cup Purse to Remain at $12M; Undercard Cut 27 Brown’s Miss Teheran Invades for Robert J. Frankel 28 Multiple Grade 1 Winner Will’s Way Dies at 27 29 Results & Entries RICK SAMUELS 2021 Pennsylvania or scan the QR code below available online now at PABred.com pabred.com STALLION #pabred & Boarding Farm Directory A publication of The Jockey Club Information Systems, Inc. and TOBA Media Properties, Inc. ON THE COVER Editorial Director General Manager Charlatan soars to victory in the Evan Hammonds Scott Carling Malibu Stakes at Santa Anita Park Visuals Director Managing Editor Anne M. Eberhardt Claire Crosby Bloodstock Editor Digital Media Manager LATEST HEADLINES Eric Mitchell Erin Morgan from Bloodhorse.com Assistant Editors Senior Web Producer Meredith Daugherty Christine Wittmer » Santa Anita Sets Record Opening Day Handle Molly Rollins Digital Content Coordinator Associate Editors Michelle Benson Byron King Asst. Editor/NSCB Editor » Suffolk Suspends On-Site Simulcasting Debbie Tuska Christine Oser Regional Sales Managers Features Editor Shirley Dievert Frank Angst Kristi Heasley Sales Editor Ellen Lambertus Ron Mitchell Amanda Ramey Senior Correspondent Classified Sales Bob Ehalt Catherine Johnston Senior Columnist Director of Technology Jay Hovdey Courtney Bearse Senior Bloodstock Columnist Pedigree Analyst Bill Oppenheim Alan Porter Contact Us: Editor: [email protected] • Advertising: [email protected] BLOODHORSE DAILY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2020 PAGE 2 OF 34 CHARLATAN RETURNS in the May 2 Arkansas Derby told us he was the best horse of the WITH DAZZLING because of a positive drug test. bunch and today he showed he's as MALIBU VICTORY Then the son of Speightstown brilliant as they come." suffered an ankle injury that For Baffert, the victory was a By Bob Ehalt knocked him off the Triple huge relief as it not only atoned t @BobEhalt Crown trail and set the stage for for the disqualification in the hen SF Racing, Starlight Authentic to assume the spotlight Arkansas Derby and tacked several WRacing, and Madaket Sta- as he faded into the background. million dollars back onto the bles joined forces in a partnership It took Charlatan nearly eight owners' stud deal with Hill 'n' Dale dubbed "The Avengers" and bought months to return to the races, but for the colt through the grade 1 a package of 24 yearlings in 2018, when he did, he brought his career win. It also backed up all of the they came away with a colt who full circle and reminded everyone high praise for Charlatan and gave would eventually win the Kentucky of why he created such a fuss the connections a major player in Derby Presented by Woodford Re- earlier in the year. the scramble for the rich stakes serve (G1) and Longines Breeders' Showing no rust at all from the awaiting older horses in 2021. Cup Classic (G1) in Authentic. layoff, Charlatan turned what was "I feel like a 500-pound gorilla Yet even though he wound up billed as an exciting showdown is off my back," Baffert said. "He with a classic victory to his credit with Nashville into a dazzling picked up where he left off. Every and likely year-end honors as solo performance as he drew one of his races has been a 'wow' Horse of the Year are awaiting away in the stretch to post an performance. Sometimes we him next month, Authentic was impressive 4 1/2-length victory in forget how fast these horses are, not considered the most talented the $300,500 Runhappy Malibu but he's always been the brilliant runner from that group of yearlings Stakes (G1) for 3-year-olds Dec. one. The kind of brilliance you trained by Bob Baffert. 26 at Santa Anita Park. find in a horse like him is hard to That role originally went to "Bob had him ready to run," said come by." Charlatan, who won his first two Jack Wolf, the CEO and managing starts by a combined 16 lengths partner of Starlight Racing. "He (continued on page 5) and then romped by six lengths in a division of the Arkansas Derby (G1). Then the rollercoaster ride began. First Charlatan was disqualified from his victory Tom Ryan @TomRyanKY Speed at every distance. Add that to a flawless physical with a great mind. Engineered to be brilliant and raised the right way by Stonestreet. What a way to roll into 2021. Bob Baffert is without question the greatest horseman in my lifetime. The Avengers should all be proud. 8:28 PM - Dec 26, 2020 BENOIT PHOTO Charlatan wins the Malibu Stakes at Santa Anita Park BLOODHORSE DAILY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2020 PAGE 3 OF 34 NEWTHE ONLY HORSE to BeatFOR 2021! 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Based on his latest victory and performance in the Arkansas Derby, two turns should pose no problem for Charlatan, putting him at the center of the mix for either the Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1), Saudi Cup, or Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1), a trio of races worth a combined $35 million. "He came back like he wasn't tired," Baffert said. "We'll try to keep him happy and see where we go." The victory was the third in four career starts for Charlatan, who was bred by Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings out of the Quiet American mare Authenticity and purchased for $700,000 from the Denali Stud BENOIT PHOTO consignment at the 2018 Keeneland September Mike Smith gives thanks for his Malibu Stakes score Yearling Sale. With Stonestreet Stables, Fred Hertrich But the duel between the two sons of Speightstown III, John Fielding, and Golconda Stables joining the was over after five furlongs as Charlatan ($5.20) and ownership group, Charlatan was from the first of three jockey Mike Smith moved past Nashville leaving the crops of yearlings bought by "The Avengers." quarter pole and pulled away with ease to cover the "It was an incredible first crop," said Sol Kumin, head seven furlongs in 1:21.50 on the fast track. of the Madaket Stables group. "Spielberg (now a 2-year- As Nashville tired in the final furlong and wound old) won a big race for us (the Los Alamitos Futurity, G2) up fourth, C R K Stables' Express Train, a son of from the second crop and we have a few more in there Union Rags, took second by a half-length over we are excited about. We bought more horses in the Dan Agnew, Jerry Schneider, Rodney Orr, and third crop than the first two, I believe 32. We're excited MyRacehorse.com's Collusion Illusion, a Twirling about the next few years. We found a formula that works Candy colt. and we hope we can continue to execute the plan." For Baffert, the Malibu was his 16th grade 1 win in a The previously undefeated Nashville, owned by year filled with highs and lows. China Horse Club and WinStar Farm and trained by "It's one of the best years I've ever had," said the Steve Asmussen, was the favorite and the buzz horse in Hall of Famer whose horses have earned more than the Malibu off an eye-opening 3 1/2-length win in the $18 million but had horses embroiled in four drug Perryville Stakes on the Breeders' Cup undercard. violations that he categorized as happening due to Sent off as the 6-5 favorite in the field off six, the contamination. "I have some great owners who stuck Malibu unfolded as expected with Nashville ahead behind me. This was a very satisfying way to end the by a length over Charlatan after an opening quarter- year." BH mile in :21.81. s Share this story FIRST STARTERS OF FRESHMAN SIRES Hail Freedom, c, 2. (Box Score–Susan B Good, by Good Journey) is the 1st starter for Box Score. Race 8 (MSW) at SA on 12/27/2020 In 2020, Box Score stands at Milky Way Farm in California for $1,000 Race Entry BLOODHORSE DAILY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2020 PAGE 5 OF 34 This Week’s BloodHorse Magazine Cover: Click Here to Subscribe ® Dedicated to the improvement of Thoroughbred breeding and racing fo December 26, 2020 | No.