Bob Baffert came out swinging on Santa Anita's opening day card on Sunday, with Nysos (Nyquist), Goal Oriented (Not This Time)–both TDN Rising Stars, presented by Hagyard, and Usha (Tiz the Law), coming home winners in the GII Laffit Pincay Jr., GI Malibu and GI La Brea, respectively.
According to the Hall of Famer, the trio were “doing well” on Monday morning. Baffert also indicated that Nysos and Nevada Beach (Omaha Beach), runner up in the Laffit Pincay Jr., are among potential candidates for the G1 Saudi Cup in Riyadh on Feb. 14, however, plans have yet to be finalized.
“They all came back well, but no plans in the future for any of them yet,” he said. “We haven't thought about it.”
Despite the success, it wasn't all roses for Baffert this weekend. Baffert runners Barnes (Into Mischief)) and Cornucopian (Into Mischief) were both forced to scratch prior to the Malibu.
Baffert indicated that he didn't have an update on the former, while the latter appeared fine after acting up in the saddling enclosure and falling on his hind-end.
“It was unfortunate, but he's fine,” Baffert said.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
