Pulpit Colt Overcomes Tough Trip for Baffert

6th-SAX, $56,750, Msw, 3yo, 5 1/2f, 1:03 3/5, ft. 
+ROGER ROCKET (c, 3, Pulpit–Rhythmical Beat, by Fusaichi Pegasus), one of two Bob Baffert pupils signed on here, entered off a pair of extremely fast works–he drilled four furlongs in :46 1/5 (1/63) Jan. 5, and the same distance in :47 flat (1/57) a week later. Mired by an outside post, the 5-2 shot was awkward from the gate and relegated to the back of the pack early. He rushed up soon after to pick off runners out wide as stablemate Pimpernel (Elusive Quality–Xtra Heat) provided pace up front. Advancing closer as they hit the straight, Roger Rocket took several awkward strides as he struggled with his lead changes. He found his footing just in the nick of time, however, and got up to out-bob longshot Ferocious (Tale of the Cat). Little Curlin (Curlin) was shut off when attempting to make a move in the lane and settled for third. Garen (Street Cry {Ire}), a half-brother to Hall of Famer Invasor (Arg) (Candy Stripes), showed improved speed to duel for the lead, but faded to fourth–one spot ahead of Pimpernel. Roger Rocket was a $375,000 OBSAPR 2-year-old buy after breezing a furlong in :10 flat. He hails from the family of champion 2-year-old Rhythm (Mr. Prospector), and GISWs Kavanagh (SAf) (Tiger Ridge), Frost Giant (Giant’s Causeway), Dance Number (Northern Dancer), Girolamo (A.P. Indy), Bluegrass Cat (Storm Cat), et al. fs21softlineLifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $33,600. Click for the brisnet.com chart or VIDEO. 
O-Frank Fletcher Racing Operations Inc. B-SF Bloodstock (KY). T-Bob Baffert.