The Factor wins San Carlos Stakes at Santa Anita
February 25, 2012ARCADIA, Calif. (AP) - The Factor defeated Sway Away by a half-length to win the $200,000 San Carlos Stakes at Santa Anita on Saturday, giving Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert his 16th victory in his last 17 races nationally.
Ridden by Martin Garcia, The Factor ran seven furlongs in 1:20.56 and paid $3.40, $2.80 and $2.10 as the 17-10 favorite.
Sway Away returned $5.60 and $2.80. Amazombie, last year's champion male sprinter, was another 1 3-4 lengths back in third and paid $2.10 to show in his first start since winning the Breeders' Cup Sprint in November.
Meanwhile, sports talk radio host Jim Rome won the $75,260 Clockers' Corner Handicap for fillies and mares with 1-5 favorite Mizdirection. Ridden by Mike Smith, Mizdirection led all the way in running 6 1-2 furlongs on the hillside turf course in 1:12.22 and paid $2.40, $2.10 and $2.10.