Reincarnate tops Baffert Sham S. (G3) trifecta

A trio of 3-year-olds from Bob Baffert’s stable finished within a length of each other in Sunday’s Sham S. (G3) at Santa Anita, with Reincarnate topping Newgate by a neck, and National Treasure three-quarters of a length back in third.

The three colts were more than 20 lengths clear of the rest of the field.

Reincarnate, who broke his maiden in late November at Del Mar, was the least-regarded among his stablemates, but came out on top with a highly determined effort to earn the victory.

Reincarnate and Spun Intended went back and forth for the lead through the first five furlongs, then Newgate made a move for the lead as Spun Intended began to fade. As much as he tried, Newgate could not get past Reincarnate, who stopped the timer in 1;35.87 for the mile on a fast main track.

“He’s the kind of horse that can run all day long,” said Baffert of the winner. “He broke great and Juan (Hernandez) just kind of let him run away from there. (The three riders) were all on their own, I didn’t give anybody any instructions.”

Reincarnate, who is 2-3-0 in five starts and has earned $142,400, is owned by SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Robert Masterson and Stonestreet Stables.