“Forestry has his Grade 1 win now and I’m off the hook.BOB BAFFERT SARATOGA SPRINGS – A trip to New York used to mean nightmares for trainer Bob Baffert. In 1996 his Cavonnier broke down in the Belmont Stakes and the two years after that Silver Charm, then Real Quiet, lost heartbreakers in the Belmont, denying them the Triple Crown.
But suddenly Baffert can do no wrong here. Last weekend he sent out Silverbulletday to cruise in the Alabama, and yesterday he added his second Grade 1 victory in a row when Forestry turned in an eye-popping performance to take the $200,000 King’s Bishop under Chris Antley.
“I brought the cream (to Saratoga),” Baffert said, explaining the turnaround. “(Forestry) has his Grade 1 win now and I’m off the hook. That $1.5 million (Forestry’s purchase price as a yearling) is looking good.”
California invader Five Star Day shot to the lead in the King’s Bishop, rocketing through some of the fastest splits ever seen at the old Spa: a first quarter-mile in :21.3, the half in :43.2. Despite all the early speed in the field of 11 3-year-olds, only Forestry could stay with him.
“I knew Five Star Day was pretty wicked,” Baffert said, “and I didn’t want to go head and head, but Forestry went to him early. When I saw him at the quarter-pole he looked good because the rest were too far back. That was world-class speed.”
After battling Five Star Day down the lane through six furlongs in a blistering 1:07.3, Forestry edged clear to win by 1 lengths, the seven furlongs in a sparkling 1:21. He paid $5.50 topping a $57.50 exacta.
Successful Appeal was third and second-choice Yes It’s True, formerly the top sprinter in America, faded to finish last.
Baffert said Forestry would likely be pointed to the Breeders’ Cup Sprint.