Road to the Triple Crown: The Factor brings Baffert back to Oaklawn

The Thoroughbred Times ^ | March 16, 2011 | Jeff Lowe and Ed DeRosa

[Holen1]

In just two races, The Factor has blazed his way to a place among the most exciting three-year-olds in the nation. The Rebel Stakes (G2) on Saturday at Oaklawn Park will be a crucial step in determining how far his talent will take him in horse racing.

The War Front colt’s trainer, Bob Baffert, will look to Oaklawn for the second straight year as a proving ground for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1). Last February, Baffert sent a horse to Hot Springs, Arkansas, for the first time since 2001, and he may have wondered what took him so long.

[Holen1]

"Baffert’s home track, Santa Anita Park, since has switched back to a dirt main track, but he opted for the Rebel again to get a good gauge on The Factor, who sizzled through his first stakes appearance with seven furlongs in 1:20.34 on February 20 in the San Vicente Stakes (G2).

The victory by three quarters of a length looks even better after the third-place finisher, Premier Pegasus, romped by 7 ¼ lengths in the San Felipe Stakes (G2) on March 12 at Santa Anita, rallying past speed-weary Runflatout and Albergatti after they dueled through the first half-mile. "

[Holen1]

Let’s see how good he is.

[ozark hilljilly]

I don’t care for horses, but I do enjoy horse racing and I have been following The Factor’s progress. How amusing!

[Holen1]

Well, he’s as fast as they come. Interested to see how far he can run.

[nikos1121]

Have any of Secretariat’s off spring amounted to anything? What is this horse’s pedigree?

[jla]

This horse will be no Factor when in a race with Uncle Mo.

[Holen1]

War Front-Greyciousness(Miswaki)
Which Means Northern Dancer on Sire’s side, Mr.Prospector and Dam’s side.

Regarding Secretariat...off the top of my head...Seattle Slew was from a Secretariat mare. A.P. Indy from Slew. Bernardini from A.P. Indy. For starters.

I guess Secretariat was better known for his mares.

[nikos1121]

He was a product of a great Mare.

[Holen1]

Some more from Secretariat’s line...

Risen Star, Storm Cat, Giant’s Causeway, Rag’s to Riches...

[Holen1]

Maybe not. I wouldn’t be surprised if he is just a sprinter/miler. The Factor that is.

[PGalt]

Interesting. Thanks for posting.

[Holen1]

You’re welcome.

[Nepeta]

Regarding Secretariat...off the top of my head...Seattle Slew was from a Secretariat mare. A.P. Indy from Slew. Bernardini from A.P. Indy. For starters.

Seattle Slew was out of a Poker (Round Table) daughter.

Secretariat has been a major influence in pedigrees through his daughters. He's a failure only in not reproducing himself, although he did sire a winner of the Preakness and Belmont in Risen Star, and a winner of the Melbourne Cup (2 miles).

[Nepeta]

The Factor has started only 3 times. The first was no indication of what was to come; the next two were freaky fast sprints on the new freaky fast Santa Anita dirt. How those times will translate to Oaklawn will be interesting.

Nobody seems to think that there is anything in this race that can begin to stay with The Factor, but if you look in the PPs there are individuals who were running similar early fractions on tracks that were not freaky fast and suspect.

Either we find out that The Factor is something special, or that he's a good sprinter who ran on a track that has been producing incredible times for a lot of horses. He could not bring Santa Anita with him to Oaklawn.

[Holen1]

A.P.Indy was out of a Secretariat mare. I stand corrected.
I did say it was off the top of head. :-)

[Holen1]

The figures I use suggest there are 3 or 4 horses with as much early speed as The Factor.

I’m leaning towards Sway Away and JP’s Gusto.

Sway Away also received a better figure than Factor in their last, because of the wide trip.

[Holen1]

“Sway Away also received a better figure than Factor in their last, because of the wide trip.”

That should read Ragozin figure.

[Holen1]

Nicely done. All other speed must have been scared.
Colt ran decent fractions. Won for fun. Respect.

[Nepeta]

Looks like The Factor won without much struggle, and in decent time compared to how 3 y os have been winning at Oaklawn.

I don't know how far he'll go, but this is a very good horse.