It’s a Tough Weekend for Baffert’s Best

It was not a good weekend for trainer Bob Baffert’s Kentucky Derby winners.

A day after 1997 winner Silver Charm had to settle for third in the Santa Anita Handicap, Real Quiet, who won the 1998 Derby, was beaten in his comeback in the $534,400 New Orleans Handicap at the Fair Grounds.

Precocity, a horse once trained by Baffert, but purchased privately by owner John Franks a couple of years ago, rallied to beat the 1-2 favorite by a half-length in 1:49 for the 1 1/8 miles.

In his first start since he was beaten a nose by Victory Gallop in the Belmont Stakes last June 6, Real Quiet was only a neck better than 38-1 shot Allen’s Oop.

“He got beat by the horse I was afraid of,” Baffert said. “Off a layoff like that, he’s going to be a little rusty, he got tired. He showed up, that’s all you can ask.”

Ridden by Eddie Martin, Jr. for trainer Bobby Barnett, Precocity won for the ninth time in 29 starts and pushed his earnings to nearly $1.7 million.

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Manistique’s first Grade I victory came with ease Sunday as the 4-year-old Unbridled filly cruised to a three-length victory over Magical Allure and two others in the $300,000 Santa Margarita Handicap.

Ridden by Gary Stevens, the 3-10 favorite sat off the early pace set by Magical Allure, took command into the stretch and coasted to her seventh win in eight starts. She completed the 1 1/8 miles in 1:48 for owner Marshall Naify’s 505 Farms and trainer John Shirreffs.

This was the third stakes win of the meet for Manistique, who earlier had captured the El Encino and La Canada Stakes.