Blueskiesnrainbows scores for trainer Bob Baffert in the Grade 2 Swaps Stakes
Blueskiesnrainbows turned some heads in the Grade 2 Swaps Stakes at Betfair Hollywood Park, since he left the competition struggling behind in the 1 1/8 mile event.
The three-year-maintained a lead throughout, and broke through the wire first, earning a prize of $90,000.
Teamed with jockey Joseph Talamo, the young runner was threatened at mid-stretch by Jerry Hollendorfer’s charge, Nonios, and his own stable-mate Liaison, but he was able to fight them off, and emerge victorious by a margin of ¾ of a length.
The Bob Baffert trained runner completed the opening quarter-mile in 24.15 seconds, half-mile in 48.18 seconds, and six furlongs in 1 minute and 12.88 seconds, completing the race in an impressive time of 1 minute and 50.89 seconds.
The son of English Channel showed remarkable progress as this season is unfolding, since he finished third in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby at Santa Anita Park on 7th April, 2012, over the course of 1 1/8 miles.
Under the command of rider, Joseph Talamo, the runner foaled by Cho Cho San, delivered a solid performance, and finished half-length behind I’ll Have Another, while Creative Cause finished as a runner-up.
The Bad Boy Racing LLC and Whizway Farms owned runner did not do well on the turf,as he finished ninth in the Grade 2 American Turf at Churchill Downs on 4th May, 2012, over at 1 1/16 miles.
Regarding the performance at Churchill Downs, Bob Baffert commented:
"The owners wanted to take a chance in the turf race at Churchill Downs, so we gave it a roll."
The trainer further added: "It didn't work out. He didn't ship well and got really hot. I'm not ruling out turf for this horse yet because it didn't count that day. It took him a while to get back in the swing of things and now he's finally getting
back into his groove."
The winning jockey was also delighted with the way the race went down, and the effort the runner put into the race as he said:
"He fought really hard, just like he did in the Santa Anita Derby."
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