BOB Baffert’s leading four-year-old Charlatan is likely to make his next start in the $20 million Saudi Cup at King Abdulaziz Racetrack in Riyadh on February 20th, trainer Bob Baffert announced last week.

After almost eight months off through injury, Charaltan returned in the Grade 1 Malibu at Santa Anita last month and won the seven-furlong event by four and a half lengths.

“That’s the plan right now. I’ve got another week to make up my mind, but he’d be coming back a little quick for the other race (the Pegasus World Cup on January 23rd at Gulfstream Park) off a long layoff, and he ran so hard, I worry about that.”

Baffert won the 2020 Pegasus World Cup with Mucho Gusto, who went on to finish fourth in the Saudi Cup last year.

The Saudi Cup would stretch Charlatan back out to nine furlongs. The Speightstown colt handled that distance in the Arkansas Derby last May at Oaklawn Park when he was first past the post by six lengths but was disqualified after a failed drug test.

“The thing I like about the Saudi race is it’s a one-turn mile-and-an-eighth and Charlatan is so fast,” Baffert said. “It’s a challenge, but it’s $20 million.”

Offensive name removed – trainer banned from NYRA tracks

THE New York Racing Association has barred trainer Eric Guillot from entering horses or having stalls at any of its three tracks in response to his use of a racially insensitive name on one of his horses.

Following the win of a horse called Grape Soda at Aqueduct, an outcry ensued on social media drawing attention to an earlier tweet from Guillot saying he gave the horse its name “in honor of a TVG analyst”.

It was considered to be a reference to TVG host Ken Rudulph, who is black.

Originally the horse was named Kersetter before a change to Grape Soda – which can be used as a racist term for a drink stereotypically associated with black people.

The Jockey Club also issued a statement: “The Jockey Club was notified yesterday that the name Grape Soda, which was approved for a 2018 gelding, was potentially offensive. Upon review we have confirmed that the name is ineligible under Rule 6.F.11. of the Principal Rules and Requirements of The American Stud Book, and we have begun the name change process in consultation with the current owner, which must be completed as soon as possible.”

The three-year-old Uncle Mo gelding was claimed for $25,000 by owner Lawrence Roman. Roman later said that he has changed the gelding’s name to Respect For All and will donate 10% of its gross earnings to the Backstretch Employee Service Team at NYRA tracks.

Irish-breds win at Santa Anita

FOLLOWING the success of the former Johnny Murtagh-trained Cathkin Peak in a stakes race after Christmas there were two more Irish-bred winners on the Santa Anita card last Saturday. Comradery took the opening while Earls Rock was an impressive winner

Both horses were sourced through the BBA and agent Niall Dalton.

Now trained by Phil D’Amato, Earls Rock is a Newtown Anner-bred son of Fascinating Rock who finished second in a Down Royal maiden for Andy Slattery in September.

Camradery, a son of Camacho, began his career with Michael Halford in a Dundalk maiden early last year and was winning for the second time in four outings in an allowance race.

Michael Donohoe of BBA Ireland tweeted: “Great day yesterday stateside with @Stakeshorses our winning streak continues. Earls Rock (IRE) and Comradery (IRE) again showing the international strength of Irish racing and Irish breeding. Huge thanks to the current and previous connections.”