THE potential classic three-year-olds emerge early in the US and one of Bob Baffert’s hopefuls, Muth, who was the best Californian two-year-old, made his 2023 debut in the Grade 2 San Vicente Stakes last Saturday.

The son of Good Magic had won the Grade 1 American Pharoah Stakes and finished second to eastern coast star Fierceness in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.

Off just two months’ break he returned to winning ways, swooping three-wide on the turn in the $200,500 San Vicente Stakes to beat stablemate Pilot Commander by two and three quarter lengths. His victory gave Bob Baffert a record-extending 13th win in the seven-furlong race.

Setttled just off the pace to a half mile in 45.27secs, Muth took charge just before the stretch when asked by jockey Juan Hernandez and extended his advantage under a hand ride in the final furlong.

Muth topped last year’s Ocala Breeders’ Sales March Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale when he sold for $2 million to owner Amr Zedan of Zedan Racing.

His sire Good Magic is the sire of 2023 Kentucky Derby winner Mage and was the second-leading second-crop sire of last year.

The other graded race of the Santa Anita weekend was the Grade 3 Santa Ynez Stakes, again over seven furlongs but for three-year-old fillies.

It was won by Kopion, a daughter of the first crop of Omaha Beach, owned by Spendthrift Farm and trained by Dick Mandella. The filly came home five and three-quarter lengths clear of Don’t Bring Crazy.

Unlikely win

The talking horse of the weekend was the winner of an Aqueduct January three-year-old maiden by a head, earning a Beyer Speed Figure of just 57.

Debutant Crimson Light lost about 20 lengths when slowly away and bucking repeatedly in the first furlong. He was out of camera shot for pretty much all of the race until coming with a run inside the final furlong to get up to record the most unlikely of wins for Whisper Hill Farm, Todd Pletcher and jockey Kendrick Carmouche.

The next outing for the City Of Light colt will be of interest.

Europeans feature in the Eclipse lists

THE 2023 winners in 17 horse and human categories will be announced during the 53rd annual Eclipse Awards, presented by FanDuel TV, John Deere, Keeneland, and the Jockey Club, in a January 25th ceremony in South Florida.

Voting has already concluded in the awards, overseen by the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters, National Thoroughbred Racing Association and Daily Racing Form, with the top three in each category announced.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained Breeders’ Cup Turf winner and HRI Horse of the Year in Ireland, Auguste Rodin is in the final three for top Three-Year-Old Male, along with Belmont Stakes winner Arcangelo and the Kentucky Derby winner Mage.

Godolphin’s 1000 Guineas and Keeneland Group 1 winner Mawj is in the running for the Three-Year-Old Filly award, along with Pretty Mischievous and Randomized.

Auguste Rodin and Mawj are also in the final three for Turf Horse of the Year with the two European Breeders’ Cup winners Inspiral and Master Of The Seas also in contention there against the top US contender Up To The Mark.

The Older Dirt Male category will also probably produce the Horse of the Year in the shape of one of the three Breeders’ Cup winners Cody’s Wish, Elite Power or White Abarrio.

Clancy honoured

In the News/Enterprise category media section of the Eclipse Awards which were announced last week, our regular US contributor Sean Clancy won an Eclipse Award for his coverage of the 2023 Test Stakes in The Saratoga Special,which recounted the immediate aftermath of Maple Leaf Mel’s tragic breakdown and Pretty Mischievous’ subsequent victory.