Versatile Danzing Candy wins G2 San Carlos

Bob Baffert won his second San Carlos S. (G2) Saturday when Halo Farm’s homebred colt Danzing Candy defeated Ransom the Moon by a half-length in 1:21.17 for the seven furlongs.

Danzing Candy, who was cutting back in distance after winning last month’s 1 1/16-mile Lone Star Park H. (G3), went right to the front out of the gate under Mike Smith. Coastline was right alongside through a half-mile that went in :44.26 seconds.

Ransom the Moon loomed up as Coastline began to fade, but could get no closer than the final margin as Danzing Candy his third graded stakes victory.

“The older they get, the better they get. He was always a good horse last year and I’m just fortunate to have him,” said Baffert.

“Mike (Smith) did a tremendous job again. He was in the one hole and had to fight off some early speed but still had something left at the end. He rides these horses with so much confidence because he always has a lot of horse underneath him. He really had to dig in today.

“We want to see how he comes out of today but we’ll look at the Pat O’Brien down at Del Mar. It’s a 7/8ths, Win and You’re In (Breeders’ Cup Challenge Race on Aug. 26) for the Dirt Mile.

Danzing Candy won the San Felipe S. (G2) last year and is now 6-1-1 in 11 starts and has earned $700,930. Danzing Candy’s dam Talkin and Singing is a half-sister to Better Talk Now, winner of the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) and over $4.3 million.