Bob Baffert’s stablemates Imagination and Wine Me Up competed fiercely in the GII San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita, with Imagination narrowly winning despite an early race incident, showcasing the potential and resilience of both horses.
‣ Bob Baffert’s horses, Imagination and Wine Me Up, dominated the GII San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita, finishing first and second respectively, showcasing the depth of Baffert’s training prowess even after the scratch of headliner Nysos.
‣ The race was marked by a tight competition between the stablemates, with Imagination narrowly winning by a nose in a thrilling finish, highlighting the competitive spirit and potential of both young horses as they develop in their racing careers.
‣ Imagination’s victory in the San Felipe Stakes was his first graded stakes win, adding to his growing resume and marking him as a horse with significant potential, as noted by his co-owner Tom Ryan and his impressive pedigree being a son of Into Mischief.
Bob Baffert stablemates #5 IMAGINATION ($3.80) and #2 Wine Me Up slugged it out down the stretch, but the former got a nose down on the line to win Santa Anita's $300,000 G2 San Felipe Stakes under @FrankieDettori! pic.twitter.com/qiNhshsuNg
— TVG (@TVG) March 3, 2024
Oh boy, the GII San Felipe S. was quite the spectacle, even with a twist right from the get-go. The crowd’s favorite, Nysos, trained by the legendary Bob Baffert, was a no-show. Scratch that, literally. Yet, Baffert’s day was far from over.
His other contenders, Imagination and Wine Me Up, were about to put on a show. These two, running side by side for most of the race, were poetry in motion. Down the stretch, it was neck and neck until Imagination, by a whisker, claimed victory.
Baffert, ever the sportsman, likened the event to a Super Bowl game. “It’s like watching the 49ers,” he said. The thrill of victory, the agony of defeat – all in a day’s work. Both horses, he noted, gave it their all. What more could a trainer ask for?
Wine Me Up had a lightning start, taking an early lead. But Imagination, the crowd’s darling, wasn’t having any of it. He quickly stepped up, challenging Wine Me Up as they rounded the first turn.
Then there was Scatify, squeezed tight right from the start. Poor guy found himself in a bit of a pickle, sandwiched between Wine Me Up and Mc Vay. It was a rough start, but hey, that’s racing for you.
Imagination, despite the jostle, found his rhythm again. He surged ahead, leaving Wine Me Up to play catch up. As they turned for home, it was anyone’s game. The two battled fiercely, but Imagination, with heart and soul, edged out to win.
Frankie Dettori, atop Imagination, had a moment there. “He broke out, and then bam, we’re in the thick of it,” he recounted. It was a fight to the finish, but Imagination, full of heart, wasn’t backing down.
Tom Ryan, co-owner of Imagination, was on pins and needles. The photo finish had everyone guessing. But win or lose, he was proud. It was a messy race, sure, but Imagination showed guts. “He’s a classy colt,” Ryan beamed.
Imagination, a $1.05-million yearling, had shown promise early on. His journey from runner-up at Del Mar to victor at Santa Anita was nothing short of cinematic. And let’s not forget his narrow miss against Maymun in February. This colt is going places.
Pedigree notes? Oh, they’re interesting. Into Mischief’s progeny are making waves, with Timberlake and others marking their territory on the Derby trail. And Imagination’s dam, Magical Feeling, has a legacy of her own.
The race, a thrilling duel to the finish, was a testament to the spirit of competition. Imagination and Wine Me Up, under the watchful eye of Baffert, did not disappoint. Santa Anita bore witness to a race that will be talked about for days to come.
And there you have it. A day at the races, full of ups and downs, but oh, so exhilarating. The world of horse racing, unpredictable and thrilling, never fails to captivate.
