When Bob Baffert came to Hot Springs, he meant business. Two weeks after getting my pearl Oaklawn Park meet with Muth in the Arkansas Derby (G1), the trainer added the track’s coveted second prize to his 2024 roster when Adare Manor won the Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) on April 13.
Adare Manor, a mammoth-sized mare with a coat the color of freshly roasted coffee beans, is making just her third venture in 16 career starts outside of California. Her two other efforts came with second and sixth-place finishes, respectively, in the 2022 George E. Mitchell Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (G2) and Cotillion Stakes (G1). Adare Manor, however, has now 5 years old, this time more likely to find the winner’s circle.
Bettors showed their confidence in the Michael Lund Petersen-owned beauty as she took to the starting gate at 3-5 on Saturday afternoon in a field that included the winner Grade 1 winner and 2023 Kentucky Oaks (G1) favorite Wet paint . Starting from hole 4 under jockey Juan Hernandez, who had journeyed to Arkansas to ride Adare Manor, the pair quickly showed their Oaklawn rivals that California’s pace would dominate the test worth $1.25 million for older women.
Hernandez kept Adare Manor from getting loose as she paved the way to :23.68, :46.95 and 1:11.14. With no challenger in sight in the quarterfinals, Adare Manor picked up the pace, enjoying an extra sixteenth of a mile that she had eluded when she ran second last time out in the March 9 Beholder Mile Stakes (G1) .
With Wet Paint lacking its brand at the end of the rally, it was left to a West Coast shipper. Flight connection to chase. Despite only establishing Adare Manor’s slight advantage of 5 1/2 lengths, trainee Todd Fincher ran the race of his life to take second place at 58-1 lengths Free like a girl .
“(Adare Manor) felt very good and very strong (today),” Hernandez said after the race. “I thought last time she probably needed the race since she’s been out of work for a few months (the Beholder Mile was Adare Manor’s first outing since her seventh-place effort in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff) but today Now Bob Baffert and (assistant) Jimmy (Barnes) have her ready. They have a lot of confidence in her. She’s ready to win this race.”
Returning $3.40 for a $2 winning ticket, Adare Manor raced the 1/16 mile in 1:42.48 on the fast main track. The winner’s share of the $675,000 purse brought her career sponsorships to $1,736,600.
Godolphin’s Wet Paint failed to make an impact in his first start since the November 4 Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1), finishing sixth of nine.
Bred by Town & Country Horse Farms and Gary Broad, Adare Manor is the only winner from two foals to race out of the graded stakes winners Brooklynsway (Giant gizmo). Bloodstock agent Donato Lanni signed the filly for $375,000 on behalf of Petersen at the June 2021 Ocala Breeders 2-Year-Old and Yearling Sale.
Adare Manor is the first graded stakes winner of 2024 for the stallion Ashford Stud Uncle Mo . The son of Indian Charlie, and sire of 100 worldwide stakes winners, has three Grade 1 winners in 2023. Adare Manor is one of those three, scoring in the Clement L .Hirsch Stakes (G1) 2023 at Del Mar. Uncle Mo organized the 2024 breeding season for a fee of 150,000 USD.
“SHE’S BACK IN BUSINESS!” – 🎙️@3coltshandicap
#4 ADARE MANOR warms up the field at the 1st place Apple Blossom tournament at #OaklawnPark with riders @JJHernandezS19 in the iron. 💨 🏇#TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/Knm8bNC4aX
– TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) April 13, 2024
