Natalie Baffert and George Jacobs’ MISREMEMBERED (Candy Ride [Arg]) made his
dirt debut a winning one in Saturday’s $512,600
Indiana Derby (G2), repulsing the bid of a fast-closing Giant Oak (Giant’s
Causeway) to score by a half-length. Winner of the Swaps S. (G2) at Hollywood
Park two starts previously, the Southern California-based sophomore colt notched
his second stakes victory when completing the 1 1/16-mile test in a track-record 1:40 4/5 over
the fast Hoosier Park track. Regular rider Victor Espinoza accompanied the
chestnut ridgling.
Weslinn (Noactor) established the early tempo in :23 3/5, :47 2/5 and 1:10
4/5 as Misremembered sat a perfect stalking trip along the outside, and the near
3-1 second choice pounced upon reaching the top of the stretch, quickly opening
up on the lead. He passed the mile mark in 1:34 3/5 with a 1 1/2-length
advantage, but Giant Oak was rallying boldly from the back of the pack and
momentarily loomed a serious danger. Misremembered remained resolute, though,
and he’s now earned $554,760 from a 7-4-1-0 mark.
The winner paid $7.80, $4.80 and $3, and Giant Oak was good for $6.60 and
$4.80 as the 6-1 sixth choice. It was 2 1/4 lengths back to the 14-1 Karama
(Macho Uno), who returned $7. Weslinn held fourth at 62-1 and was followed under
the wire by 5-2 favorite Win Willy (Monarchos), Fundy (Northern Afleet), Sumo
(Fusaichi Pegasus), Despite the Odds (Speightstown) and Flat Bold (Flatter).
Hoopoe (Birdstone), Hoosier Kingdom (Repent) and Petch (Petionville) were all
withdrawn.
Bred in Kentucky by trainer Bob Baffert, Misremembered didn’t make his career
debut until April 9, checking in sixth in a one-mile turf maiden special weight,
and graduated in his second start, winning a maiden special
weight on the Cushion Track. Following an easy allowance tally, he
finished second when making his stakes debut in the 1 1/16-mile Affirmed H. (G3)
on June 20. The late bloomer earned his initial stakes win in the July 18 Swaps, and he rebounded
Saturday from
a disappointing 10th-place effort over Polytrack in the September 6 Pacific Classic (G1),
his first start versus elders.
Out of 1990 Del Mar Debutante (G2) and 1991 Bay Meadows Oaks (G3) winner
Beyond Perfection (Quack), Misremembered hails from a female family that
includes Grade 2 winner Onceinabluemamoon (Al Mamoon), and further back, Travers
S. (G1) victor Willow Hour (Bold Hour).