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Baffert salvages something in Norfolk
Jay Privman
Daily Racing Form

ARCADIA, Calif. -- After watching Truckle Feature lose the Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland, and Icecoldbeeratreds falter in the final yards of the Champagne Stakes at Belmont Park, trainer Bob Baffert felt the collar tightening. "I was thinking doughnut," he said.

Instead, he got a box of fresh, hot Krispy Kremes. The day turned around late Saturday for Baffert, when his colts Kafwain and Bull Market ran one-two in the Grade 2, $200,000 Norfolk Stakes.

Bull Market did all the dirty work, cutting out a hot pace with the longshot Royal Siphon, but Kafwain got the spoils, outnodding his stablemate after a stretch-long drive to win by a nose. Listen Indy was another length back in third.

Kafwain ($5.80) began a steady, sustained rally on the turn, and at the top of the stretch he loomed up four paths wide to engage Bull Market. But Bull Market would not go away. He and Kafwain traded volleys in the final furlong, with Kafwain prevailing in the final yards.

"They always work together," Baffert said. "When they saw each other, they probably said, 'Hey.' "

Kafwain covered 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.75. He has now won three times in six starts.

Baffert said both Kafwain and Bull Market would go on to the Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Arlington Park.



 








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