Baffert Hopes to Cash in on Hollywood Futurity

(from Hollywood Park notes)
Trainer Bob Baffert entered Quiet Cash in the $362,000 Hollywood Futurity (gr. I) Saturday but admitted the colt has a long way to go to emulate his sire, Real Quiet, who gave Baffert his first Futurity victory in 1997.

"He looks like Real Quiet, but he's proven himself more on turf," said Baffert from his Santa Anita headquarters Thursday. "The field was coming up short, and I know he can get the distance."

The 1 1/16-mile Futurity will be run on the main track. Quiet Cash broke his maiden in his fifth try at Hollywood on Nov. 26 in a maiden race at Saturday's distance on turf.

Quiet Cash was second in two other grass outings and unplaced in two starts on the dirt. Bred in Kentucky, Quiet Cash is a homebred owned by Mike Pegram, who campaigned Real Quiet. Real Quiet went on to win the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes in 1998 and just missed the Triple Crown when nipped at the wire in the Belmont Stakes.

Baffert, a three-time Futurity winner, also won the race with Captain Steve in 1999 and Point Given in 2000. Another victory would tie him with D. Wayne Lukas for trainer leadership with four triumphs.

In the thick of the battle for meet honors with Bobby Frankel, Jeff Mullins and Doug O'Neill, Baffert has a busy stakes weekend ahead. In addition to Quiet Cash in the Futurity, he will also send out Atlantic Ocean in the $150,000 Dahlia Handicap (gr. IIT) Saturday and Victory U.S.A., the probable favorite in the $200,000-added Hollywood Starlet (gr. I) on Sunday.

$362,000 Hollywood Futurity (gr. I, 2:03 p.m. PST), 2-year-olds, 1 1/16 mile
PP. Horse, Jockey
1. Saint Afleet (FL), Alex O. Solis
2. St Averil (KY), Tyler Baze
3. That's an Outrage (KY), Gary L. Stevens
4. Lion Heart (KY), Mike E. Smith
5. Quiet Cash (KY), David R. Flores

All carry 121 pounds.