Stakes Advance – Apple Blossom
At 1h40, on April 13, 2024 • By OAKLAWN PARK
Two weeks after winning the richest race in Oaklawn history, Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert goes for its second richest in Saturday’s $1.25 million G1-Apple Blossom Handicap for older fillies and mares.
The 8 ½-furlong Apple Blossom anchors a 12-race card that begins at 12:10 p.m., CDT. Probable post time for the Apple Blossom, the 11th race, is 5:46 p.m. The card also features defending champion Skelly in the $500,000 G3-Count Fleet Sprint Handicap for older horses at six furlongs. Probable post time for the Count Fleet, race 8, is 3:46 p.m.
The Apple Blossom, among the country’s most prestigious two-turn dirt races for older females, has a record purse in 2024 after being bumped to $1 million in 2021. The Southern California-based Baffert won the 2012 Apple Blossom with his only starter to date in the race, Plum Pretty.
Baffert’s success at Oaklawn has been well documented, specifically, in its four-race Kentucky Derby points series. Baffert has won a staggering 43 percent of his starts overall (39 of 91), with 20 of those victories coming in Kentucky Derby qualifying races. The record-extending 20th came in the $1.5 million G1-Arkansas Derby March 30 with Muth. The Arkansas Derby was the richest race in Oaklawn history. It was worth $1.25 million in 2022 and 2023.
Baffert returns to Hot Springs with the Apple Blossom program favorite in millionaire Grade 1 winner Adare Manor, a 5-year-old daughter of champion Uncle Mo who is seeking her first career victory outside California.
Owned by Michael Lund Petersen, Adare Manor boasts a 7-5-0 record from 15 lifetime starts and earnings of $1,061,600. She won five consecutive races, including the $400,000 G1-Clement L. Hirsch Stakes at 1 1/16 miles Aug. 5 at Del Mar, before finishing seventh, beaten three lengths, in the $2 million G1-Breeders’ Cup Distaff at 1 1/8 miles Nov. 4 at Santa Anita.
In her only start this year, Adare Manor finished second, beaten three-quarters of a length, in the $300,000 G1-Beholder Mile March 9 at Santa Anita.
“She came out of her race well,” Baffert said. “She was freshened up and had a nice start (Beholder Mile). Unfortunately, she got beat. We thought the timing’s perfect for the Apple Blossom, so we’re looking forward to it.”
