Malik Thomas leads San Francisco to a thrilling win over Washington State

In California, the San Vicente Stakes race took place at Santa Anita on Saturday, featuring several contenders preparing for the upcoming Kentucky Derby. Notably, Barnes, a 3-year-old colt trained by Bob Baffert, emerged victorious, defeating his stablemate Romanesque by a convincing 5 1/2 lengths. Ridden by jockey Juan Hernandez, Barnes clocked a time of 1:22.15 over a distance of seven furlongs. This race, with a purse of $200,000, showcased the talents of Derby hopefuls, and Baffert expressed his satisfaction with Barnes's performance, comparing him to past champions like American Pharoah. The colt, who has now achieved a 2-0 record, was purchased for $3.2 million as a 2-year-old, highlighting the investments made by owner Amr Zedan in top-tier racing talent. Baffert praised Hernandez's skillful riding, noting that Barnes showed signs of a developing talent, being still a bit green. Despite the early challenge from McKinzie Street, Barnes managed to take the lead and maintain it through the final stretch. Hernandez mentioned that the colt was learning how to run, demonstrating potential as he finished strongly in the race. This victory not only cements Barnes's status in the stakes but also provides a hopeful outlook for Baffert’s training program, which has a rich history of producing champion horses. As the racing season progresses, the focus shifts to the Kentucky Derby, where Baffert plans to guide his horses through careful training and preparations. The San Vicente Stakes serves as an essential stepping stone for 3-year-olds looking to qualify for one of the most prestigious races in the country. The positive performance from Baffert's stable, especially Barnes, implies that they are on the right track leading up to the Derby. Meanwhile, in college basketball, another competitive event occurred as the San Francisco Dons faced off against the Washington State Cougars on the same day. Malik Thomas of San Francisco scored an impressive 24 points in their recent victory over the Pacific Tigers, setting a thrilling backdrop to the ongoing sports excitement in the region. While the Dons continue to showcase their skill against WCC opponents, Baffert's training insights and Barnes’s latest win have generated anticipation for what lies ahead in both thoroughbred racing and collegiate sports.