Bodemeister dominates in his maiden win at Santa Anita

Zayat Stables' Bodemeister made short work of a solid group of 3-year-old maidens Feb. 11 at Santa Anita, running away to a 9 1/4-length win in his second lifetime start. Bodemeister is one of 13 Zayat horses nominated to the 2012 Triple Crown, the most of any owner.

Bodemeister, trained by Bob Baffert, broke from the gate full of run, establishing a length lead after a quarter mile, then began to pull away down the backstretch. With Rafael Bejarano sitting motionless, Bodemeister powered away on the second turn and coasted through the stretch with the competition far behind. The final time for the mile was 1:34.45, just a second off the track record.

Named for Baffert's son Bode, the bay colt was second in his career debut going 5 1/2-furlongs last month at Santa Anita and now has earned $44,800 in two starts. Asked trackside right after the race if the colt had enough time to make the Kentucky Derby (G1), Baffert said simply, “If they have the talent, they can make it.”

Bodemeister is the second foal from Untouched Talent, who captured the  Sorrento S. (G3) at Del Mar in 2006. She also finished second in both the Del Mar Debutante S. (G1) and Darley Alcibiades S (G2). Zayat bought Bodemeister for $260,000 at the Keeneland 2010 September yearling sale.

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