Bob Baffert Trained out of money joined 1 1/8 mile, $150,000 Native Shares (G3) at Del Mar a heavy favorite. The 3-5 shot at time later survived a brave nasty effort 35-1 Go Joe Won for a second straight win on November 27.
Defunded stopped the clock at 1:50.12 on a fast track, winning with 4 3/4 lengths.
Out of the gate, Go Joe Won sets himself apart from the six-horse field for kids ages 3 and up. Defunded staggered out of the gate and fell behind. Equestrian Edwin Maldonado crouched with his horse, quickly looking for a way to make up for the lost land.
“No, don’t care,” Maldonado told FanDuel TV of the bad start. “He deviated from speed first, second, third. He won here with his eighth length and his width four, so I’m very comfortable with him.”
First turn, Go Joe Won is catching up with Newgrange and Defunded followed close by. Go Joe Won took the lead early: 23.52 with Defunded with the head and then half a mile with a score: 46.41. With a vision that was clearly unpleasant, Jose Valdivia Jr. rode on par with Defunded for the first half mile. But then practitioner Baffert made his move with the remaining three stretchers.
Defunded still trailed the beginner in the three-quarters column at 1:10.34 but never looked back, taking the lead and hitting the one-mile mark in 1:36.72.
Go Joe Won lacked for a long time, finishing fourth. Another Baffert intern, Azul Coast second and Newgrange third.
A $2 winning bet pays $3.40.
Maldonado earned their first #1 win on Defunded the last time they participated in Awesome Again Stakes on October 1st at Santa Anita.
“It’s very special. I’ve been riding for 21 years waiting for that moment,” he said of the achievement.
Earlier this year, Defunded finished second in the Hollywood Gold Cup Stakes (G1) in Santa Anita ahead of seventh in the San Diego Handicap (G2) and seventh in Pat O’Brien Stakes (G2), both in Del Mar. .
Owned by Michael Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman, Defunded improves to 5-3-1 in 13 starts with a career earnings of $608,100. Bred by Athens Woods, son of Called in and the Touch Gold Wind Caper mares were sold to the ownership group also known as the Three Amigos for $210,000 at the September 2019 Keeneland Annual Sale in Eaton Sales consignment.
Wind Caper has five starters — all winners — from eight ponies. Among those who ran was Terry’s Charm, a gelding by Quality Sugar who has 16 wins in 85 starts with a career income of $416,035. Died at Darby Dan ranch for $15,000.
Video: Indigenous diver S. (G3)
