December 30, 2009 - Santa Anita, Race 3, Msw, USD $45,000, 1 m, ft
1st Dam: Azeri
2st Dam: Zodiac Miss
2st Dam: Capriconia (Ire)
Owner: Kaleem S Shah
Breeder: The Allen E Paulson Living Trust (KY)
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Azeri, retired after a glittering career that saw her enter the winner's circle 17 time in 24 appearances, came up barren when bred to Storm Cat in 2005. She produced a handsome chestnut by A.P. Indy on Valentine's Day in 2007. Offered as a yearling at Keeneland September, the colt then known as Vallenzeri was taken home by the Allen E. Paulson Living Trust for a record $7.7 million (click here for TDN coverage). He made another appearance in the auction ring this past spring, and wound up topping the Keeneland April sale when going to Kaleem Shah for $1.9 million (click here for TDN coverage). Shah renamed his purchase Take Control, and the youngster–who bears more than a passing resemblance to his dam–compiled a solid worktab while trainer Bob Baffert waited for an opportunity to run him two turns. Sent off as the 5-2 third choice, Take Control broke cleanly from the rail and settled into a ground-saving trip as favored Ivory Fudge (Candy Ride {Arg}) controlled things up front with fractions of :24.14 and :48.61. The blinkered colt looked to be a bit one-paced as they turned for home, but, guided off the rail and given several cracks of the whip by rider Martin Garcia, kicked into gear and scored by 1 1/2 lengths, then galloped out very smartly. Ivory Fudge completed the exacta. “I didn't think he could win first time out,” said Baffert, “but he really impressed me. He was green, but he settled well and he overcame a lot of trouble. That was a good one to get; now we've got our two-year-old start out of the way. He'll run all day, and we'll let him tell us what's next.” The Hall of Fame conditioner added, “We're not going to ship out of town until March because the weather's terrible all around the country. I think we're seeing two stars develop here–I thought Martin rode him great. He rode him like he had ice water in his veins.” Azeri's yearling Giant's Causeway filly sold to Robert and Lawana Low for $800,000 at KEESEP, and her daughter by Ghostzapper is slated to go under the hammer at the upcoming KEEJAN sale. The champion herself RNA'd for $4.4 million at that venue at the beginning of 2009, and most recently sold to Katsumi Yoshida for $2.25 million at KEENOV whilst in foal to Distorted Humor. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $27,000.
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