Bayern has won the $1 million Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park to earn an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup.
He dominated Sunday’s 1800m race for three-year-olds, beating Albano by 7-1/4 lengths and extending trainer Bob Baffert’s record to a record seven wins.
“I didn’t think he’d do anything as devastating as that,” Baffert said from California. “It looks like he has it all together now.”
Martin Garcia was aboard for his third Haskell, all mounts for Baffert.
“We were going to the lead,” Garcia said. “There was no Plan B.”
The filly Untapable, facing the males for the first time, was a disappointing fifth as the 7-5 favourite after becoming unsettled at the start when a horse in the adjoining stall played up.
“She got a little fussy, and she didn’t get away well,” jockey Rosie Napravnik said. “She ran a hell of a race, and she ran as hard as she could.”
Bayern was in charge from the start as Garcia skilfully rationed out his speed through moderate fractions. When the back markers tried to narrow the gap on the final turn, Bayern had plenty left.
“We were hoping someone would challenge the leader early and that didn’t happen,” Albano’s trainer Larry Jones said.
Bayern earned a free shot at the $US5 million ($A5.41 million) Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov 1 at Santa Anita, his home track.
The Haskell was a “Win and You’re In” Breeders’ Cup Challenge stakes. As an added reward, the $100,000 entry fee to the Classic is now waived.
