BAROSSA PREVAILS BY A HALF LENGTH TO WIN $61,000 SANTA ANITA MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT FEATURE, GETTING ONE MILE IN 1:37.55

ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 15, 2021)–In a head and head stretch duel from the top of the lane to the wire, Bob Baffert’s Barossa prevailed by a half length over Doug O’Neill’s Durante in Friday’s $61,000 maiden special weight feature.  Ridden by Juan Hernandez, Barossa, who had $108,664 bet to show on him, got one mile in 1:37.55.

Off as the 5-2 favorite in a field of nine juveniles, Barossa, a bay colt by Into Mischief, was sent from his number eight post position and sat just off Durante to the top of the stretch.  A half length back at the quarter pole, Barossa was all out to overhaul him inside the sixteenth pole.

“He reminds me a little bit of (2020 Kentucky Derby and Breeders’ Cup Classic winner) Authentic, because he’s very immature and it’s taken him a while…,” said Baffert.  “Today, he came to that horse and when he got in front of him, his ears went up.  I think there’s a lot more there.  It was a good race, that horse that ran second, he’s a tough horse…So I think he’s gonna improve off of this.  Too late for the Breeders’ Cup.”

Purchased as a Keeneland September Yearling for $775,000, Barossa was making his third start and his second around two turns.  Most recently third going a flat mile at Del Mar Aug. 27, he paid $7.60, $4.40 and $2.10.

“He was fighting with the other horse, he’s very game,” said Hernandez.  “He’s a nice horse, he’s improving.”

Owned by Golconda Stable, Madaket Stables, LLC, SF Racing, LLC, Siena Farm, LLC, Starlight Racing, Stonestreet Stables, LLC, Waves Edge Capital, LLC, Catherine Donavan, Robert E. Masterson and Jay A. Schoenfarber, Barossa is out of the Flower Alley mare Bouquet Booth.

With the winner’s share of $36,600, Barossa has earnings of $49,000.

Sent from the rail by Umberto Rispoli, Durante ran a huge race in defeat, finishing 9 ¼ lengths in front of Breakfast Ride.  Off at 3-1 in his second career start and first time going long, Durante paid $4.80 and $3.20.

The co-second choice at 3-1, Breakfast Ride paid $3.00 to show with Joe Bravo aboard.

Fractions on the race were 23.00, 47.48, 1:11.70 and 1:24.24.

Racing resumes with first post time for a nine-race card on Saturday at 1 p.m.