California Crown Stakes: Bob Baffert’s Two Superstars Dominate Betting for Grade One

Bob Baffert will be heavily expected to train the winner of the G1 California Crown Stakes this weekend when making a prediction.

The horse racing Hall of Famer saddles both National Treasure and Muth in the race at Santa Anita, with both holding obvious claims in a stacked field.

Senor Buscador also has big-race wins to his name and could have a role to play.

Offshore Odds: National Treasure Narrowly Preferred to Stablemate

[Latest odds taken from bet365 at 8:17 am on 09.27.24]

Horse	Odds
National Treasure	+162
Muth	+187
Senor Buscador	+500
Newgate	+800
Subsanador	+1200
Indispensable	+3300
Katonah	+3300

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California Crown Stakes Recent Winners

Year	Winning Horse	Winning Jockey	Winning Trainer
2023	Slow Down Andy	Mario Gutierrez	Doug O’Neill
2022	Defunded	Edwin Maldonado	Bob Baffert
2021	Medina Spirit	John Velazquez	Bob Baffert
2020	Improbable	Drayden Van Dyke	Bob Baffert
2019	Mongolian Groom	Abel Cedillo	Enebish Ganbat

California Crown Stakes: Race Information

Information	Stats
Track	Santa Anita
Classification	Grade One
First Held	1982
Race Distance	1 1/8 Miles
Race Conditions	Three-Year-Olds +
Purse	$1,000,000
Most Successful Jockey	Gary Stevens (5)
Most Successful Trainer	Bob Baffert (8)

Baffert Holds Two Leading Chances

Unsurprisingly, Bob Baffert runners dominate the betting, with the Hall of Famer chasing a ninth win in the race. National Treasure is narrowly preferred.

But, he will need to return to form after a sub-par run in the G1 Whitney when finishing sixth of ten. Was solid over a mile prior to that effort when landing the G1 Met Mile. Concerns surrounding his ability over this trip are glaring.

"Say hello to Muth!"

#6 MUTH very impressive on debut in Race 2 at Santa Anita. Bob Baffert trains the $2 million purchase, a son of Good Magic. @JJHernandezS19 in the irons. pic.twitter.com/BrIKemg2kV

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) June 18, 2023

I’m incredibly surprised Muth is the outsider of the Baffert runners this weekend. The three-year-old has looked a potential superstar throughout his career, and has been campaigned with the Classic in mind this term.

He was dominant when winning the Belief Stakes earlier this month, and that run was perfect for getting the runner up to speed ahead of this Grade One effort.

Senor Buscador Overlooked Again

I must it, Senor Buscador is one of my favorite horses in training. The six-year-old always gives his running, and has been no stranger to big race success after landing the G1 Saudi Cup earlier in 2024.

Ran to great credit when third in the G1 Dubai World Cup, before returning to action after a lengthy break with a subdued effort when fourth of eight in the G2 Pat O’Brien Stakes.

Likely needed that comeback run, and will be a must for exotics players this weekend.

Muth to Silence Doubters

The Breeders’ Cup Classic already has an open feel about it this year, and Muth could throw the betting into a frenzy on Saturday.

The Baffert runner was my pick for the Kentucky Derby, before runners from the yard were excluded following an update earlier in 2024.

His campaign this term is tailored toward these big purses at the end of the season, meaning I expect him to win at Santa Anita, before following up with a bold bid for Classic glory in November.

Pick Muth to win

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