Blueskiesnrainbows scores as lone speed in Swaps

Blueskiesnrainbows earned his first stakes score in the Swaps (Benoit Photos)

After controlling the early tempo, Blueskiesnrainbows saved enough for the
finish in Wednesday’s Grade 2, $150,000
Swaps
Stakes, registering his first stakes victory with a near one-length
decision. The chestnut son of English Channel established moderate early splits
of :24, :48 and 1:12 4/5 while on a clear lead with Joe Talamo, and comfortably held
fore over the Hollywood Park Cushion Track, completing 1 1/8 miles in 1:50 4/5.

“Joe did a great job slowing it down,” said trainer Bob Baffert, who notched
a record fifth Swaps win.

“(Baffert) told me to sit still until he switches leads and to save as much
horse as you can until the last part. That’s pretty much what we did,” Talamo
explained. “We went so easy the first part so we had a lot of horse left.”

Sent off the 7-2 third choice among seven rivals, Blueskiesnrainbows paid
$9.60, $6.60 and $3.

Nonios, the 3-1 second choice following his 15-1 upset in the Grade 3
Affirmed, rated off the early pace before trying to challenge on the far turn,
but he was never able to seriously threaten the winner before holding second by
a head over the late-rallying Liaison, the 2-1 favorite. It was another 2 1/4
lengths back to fourth-placer Rousing Sermon, who was followed by Called to
Serve, Empire Way and All Squared Away.

Thanks to Blueskiesnrainbows, the stars and stripes took center stage at Hollywood on Independence Day (Benoit Photos)

“He fought really hard, just like he did in the Santa Anita Derby,” said
Talamo, who has ridden Blueskiesnrainbows in only the Santa Anita Derby and
Swaps. “I appreciate the opportunity they gave me with him.”

Baffert also saddled third-placer Liaison.

“I thought I could run first and second, but Liaison kind of struggled a
little bit with that slow pace,” the Hall of Fame conditioner said. “I was a
little disappointed, but they ran their races. I’ll get them down to Del Mar and
decide what to do with them. They’ll be nominated all over the country. There
are Derbies everywhere.”

The colt opened his racing career with a pair of unplaced attempts against maiden
special weight rivals before posting his first win in a $30,000 maiden claiming
event at Hollywood in early December. Blueskiesnrainbows also captured a starter
allowance two starts previous to his commendable performance at 42-1 in the
Santa Anita Derby. With Saturday’s $90,000 pay day, he has now earned $221,242
from a 8-3-0-2 mark.