Pilot Commander overcomes troubled trip in San Carlos S. (G3)

Bob Baffert got his fifth San Carlos S. (G3) win Saturday at Santa Anita Park when Pilot Commander threaded his way to victory in the seven-furlong sprint.

A son of Baffert’s 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify, Pilot Commander, in post 1, chased Vlahos through a fast first quarter-mile of :22.30. Going into the turn, Pilot Commander got shuffled back to fourth while in tight quarters. Just before turning for home, an opening appeared and Pilot Commander shot through and then out-gamed For All Mankind in the stretch to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:23.98 on a fast track.

“When he drew the one hole, I knew it wasn’t going to be easy for him,” said Baffert. “Since we have taken the blinkers off of him, he has learned to relax. He needed that today. He was in a tight spot, and I thought, boy, he is really going to have to show his grit, but you can tell the last 100 yards he was not going to be denied.”

The San Carlos win was the first stakes victory for the 4-year-old, who finished second in the San Vicente S. (G2) last year. His overall record is now 4-2-0 in seven starts, with earnings of $240,600 for CSLR Racing Partners LLC.