Baffert-Trained Bast A Standout For ‘Win And You’re In’ Chandelier

Uncle Mo filly Bast wins Del Mar Debutante by 8 3/4 lengths under Drayden Van Dyke

Bob Baffert’s Bast looms a complete standout among six juvenile fillies in Friday’s Grade I, $300,000 Chandelier Stakes, to be contested at 1 1/16 miles over Santa Anita’s main track. A bay daughter of Uncle Mo, Bast, who was second in her 5 ½ furlong debut, romped by 8 ¾ lengths in the Grade I, seven furlong Del Mar Debutante and it appears all systems are go for her first two turn assignment.

A Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” Challenge Race qualifier, the Chandelier winner will earn a fees-paid berth in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, to be run at Santa Anita on Nov. 1.

BAST

Owner: Baoma Corp.

Trainer: Bob Baffert

Although ridden by Drayden Van Dyke in both of her Del Mar starts, she’ll be handled on Friday by Hall of Famer John Velazquez, as Van Dyke is coming off an injury and Baffert was uncertain to his status as recently as last week. Out of the Arch mare Laffina, Bast should have little difficulty stretching out from seven furlongs to a mile and one sixteenth as she continues her march to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies here on Nov. 1.

K P DREAMIN

Owner: Karl Pergola

Trainer: Jeff Mullins

A non-threatening fourth at 50-1 in her 5 ½ furlong debut Aug. 11, she then stretched out to a flat mile and responded with a 1 ¼ length win at 9-2 on Aug. 29. Although she’s facing a monster in Bast, K P Dreamin does have the advantage of one two turn race and will hope to be in a contending position turning for home under regular rider Ruben Fuentes.

BEEN STUDYING HER

Owner: KMN Racing LLC

Trainer: Dan Ward

A California-bred daughter of the Medaglia d’Oro stallion Fast Anna, this KMN homebred was a first-out maiden winner going 5 ½ furlongs at Sacramento July 20 and defeated statebreds by 1 ¼ lengths in the six furlong Generous Portion Stakes at Del Mar Aug. 28 when off at 8-1 under Mike Smith, who rides back on Friday.

THE GRADE I, $300,000 CHANDELIER STAKES WITH JOCKEY & WEIGHTS IN POST POSITION ORDER

Race 5 of 9 Approximate post time 3 p.m. PT

Been Studying Her—Mike Smith—122
K P Dreaming—Ruben Fuentes—122
Comical—Abel Cedillo–122
Bast—John Velazquez—122
Buyer’s Remorse—Mario Gutierrez—122
Leucothea—Norberto Arroyo, Jr.–122

First post time for a nine race card on Friday, opening day of Santa Anita’s 23-day Autumn Meet, is at 1 p.m. For additional information, please visit santaanita.com or call (626) 574-RACE.