BAFFERT’S HIGHLY REGARDED FIRST TIMER FORT WARREN TAKES $61,000 MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT FEATURE BY HALF LENGTH, GETS 6 ½ PANELS IN 1:15.92

ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 30, 2022)—Well fancied in a field of highly regarded juvenile maidens, Bob Baffert’s Fort Warren battled tenaciously to prevail by a half length in Sunday’s $61,000 maiden special weight feature. Ridden by Juan Hernandez, the first-time starter by Curlin got 6 ½ furlongs in 1:15.92.

Hustled from his rail post position, Fort Warren had a length and a half lead over eventual third place finisher Johannes, who drew even with the winner at the top of the lane, who along with Spun Intended, made Fort Warren give everything he had to get the win.

“This horse, being by Curlin, they’re not supposed to have that kind of speed, but he’s a beautiful horse and we’re excited about him,” said Baffert. “That was a tough field…Having the one-hole and having to go that fast early and then he would let that horse get past him. He showed a lot of grit.”

A $550,000 Keeneland September Yearling Sale purchase, Fort Warren, who is out of the Bernardini mare La Appassionata, was one of seven first timers in a field of eight and was off as the 6-5 favorite and returned $4.40, $2.80 and $2.60.

Owned by SF Racing, LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, LLC, et al, Fort Warren picked up $36,600 for the win.

Unhurried early, Spun Intended was last, about 4 ½ lengths off the lead going to the half mile, moved into contention on the far outside while well within himself and was half length off the lead while three-deep turning for home. With Mike Smith at the controls, Spun Intended loomed menacingly inside the sixteenth pole, but the winner was a bit too much.

A first-time starter trained by Mark Glatt, Spun Intended was the second choice at 7-2 and paid $3.80 and $3.40 while finishing 2 ½ lengths in front of Johannes.

Ridden by Tyler Baze for Tim Yakteen, Johannes, who had run once at Churchill Downs on June 9, was off at 9-1 and paid $4.00 to show while finishing some nine lengths clear of Texthelegend.

Fractions on the race were 21.75, 44.65 and 1:09.36.

Santa Anita’s 18-day Autumn Meet will draw to a close next Sunday, with special early first post time at 12 noon.

Admission gates will open early to accommodate simulcast wagering over the two-day Breeders’ Cup World Championships on Friday and Saturday at 8:30 a.m. and 7 a.m., respectively.

First live race post time at Santa Anita on Friday and Saturday will be at 12:30 p.m.