The Factor wins in his comeback race in emphatic style in the Pat O’Brien Stakes at Del Mar

Question

The Factor wins in his comeback race in emphatic style in the Pat O’Brien Stakes at Del Mar
The 3-year-old Bob Baffert trained The Factor makes a sensational comeback at the Del Mar Grade 1 $250,000 Pat O’Brien Stakes on 28 August, 2011.
Ever since the colt broke into the scene, trainer Bob Baffert has been all praises for The Factor and has admired his colt throughout this month, and finally The Factor answered his calling when he came back after a four-month layoff in emphatic style.
Bob Baffert even said that he forgot how good the colt was when he worked with him after his four month layoff.
He was down and out after an ankle injury which dashed Baffert’s hopes of running his highly praised colt in the Triple Crown in the Summer/spring meet.
After four months, The Factor returns only to lock horns with the threatening Smiling Tiger, son of Hold that Tiger, with a groundbreaking rally at the middle of the stretch only to sweep past him for a narrow win.
He was sent off as the narrow 17 to 10 second choice favourite to win the race, whereas Smiling Tiger was the favourite.
It was a face off early in the race, as Smiling Tiger, under jockey Joel Rosario, fought for the early lead while The Factor was too busy displaying brilliance right from the start.
The Factor fought for the early lead, and managed to get it, entering into the stretch.
The Factor got along the rail and edged past into the turn where he got a short lead and before everyone’s eyes he clearly detached himself with ease and inched away to get a length lead.
It was a massive advantage over Smiling Tiger at the mid stretch, but the winner kicked away under steady urging from jockey Martin Garcia to win the race by 1 ¾ lengths in the end.
“When this horse is really on his game he is an extraordinary horse", Baffert said. "I’m just glad to have him back. He has got the most beautiful stride I’ve ever seen on a horse. It’s like he barely picks up his feet”.
Baffert was all praises yet again as The Factor romps home for his trainer to win a massive race in his comeback race.