Concert Tour edges Freedom Fighter in San Vicente S. (G2)

Concert Tour out-finished his stablemate Freedom Fighter in Saturday’s $200,000 San Vicente S. (G2) at Santa Anita Park as the Bob Baffert stable finished one-two in the seven-furlong contest for 3-year-olds.

Freedom Fighter grabbed the early lead and was closely tracked by The Chosen Vron, with Concert Tour to the outside and just behind the lead pair. Concert Tour got closer on the turn and the two were on even terms after a half-mile in :45.98. Freedom Fighter dug in gamely in the stretch, but Concert Tour got the better of him in the final 100 yards, winning by a half-length in 1:24.06.

“Freedom Fighter just broke like a rocket ship, he’s really fast and been doing really well. I think it was a good race for both of them,” said Baffert. “(Concert Tour is) going to have to really step it up now, but now he’s ready for it.” 

The winner is owned by his breeders Gary and Mary West and is now perfect in two starts, earning $156,600. 

“He’ll be nominated everywhere, we will see how he comes out of it,” Baffert said of the colt’s next start. “He showed his heart and determination. I knew the other horse was going to give him a run for his money and he did. He’s going to improve off of that also.” 

First run in 1935, Baffert has won the San Vicente a record 11 times, beginning in 1997 with Silver Charm, who would go on to win the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness S. (G1).