California-bred Masochistic, owned by Los Pollos Hermanos Racing and Jay Em Ess Stable, made short work of six foes to win the $300,000 Triple Bend Stakes June 27 at Santa Anita Park.
With Tyler Baze riding for trainer Ron Ellis, Masochistic went head-to-head with San Onofre on the front end of the seven-horse field, then pulled away easily to win by 3-1/2 lengths over 12-1 longshot Appealing Tale. Wild Dude was 2-3/4 lengths back in third.
The leading pair set fractions of :22.85 seconds and :45.16 seconds through a half mile, 2-1/2 lengths ahead of the rest, then, as San Onofre tired, Masochistic took command and covered six furlongs in 1:08.10. The winner hit the wire in 1:20.25 for seven furlongs on a fast track. The final time was about three-fifths of a second off the track record.
"I didn't ask him for much," Baze said. "All I can say is, 'Awesome.' He was unbelievable."
The a 5-year-old gelding by Sought After seems to keep improving with each start, after beginning the season with a allowance/optional claiming victory and a score in the April 11 Kona Gold Stakes, his graded debut.
"It's awesome [how he's progressed] He broke sharp and everything went perfect," Ellis said. "It helped that we had the outside post. He's just a super-talented horse and he's learning to relax. That's going to make him tough."
"His head has changed," Baze added. "He's slowed down a bit. Last time, when I rode him, he was a little more aggressive -- almost too aggressive. His head has calmed down and he was very classy about everything today."
The even-money favorite, Masochistic paid $4.20, $3.20, and $2.80 across the board. Appealing Tale brought $9.60 and $7, while Wild Dude brought $5.60 to show.
Bred by Francoise Dupuis and Louise Julian, out of the Unusual Heat mare Trotinette, Masochistic now has six wins in eight career starts and $523,850 in earnings.
San Onofre faded to fourth, and Sahara Sky, Blue Tone, and Holy Lute completed the order of finish.