Breeding & Racing Magazine

Cezanne Paints a Pretty Picture for Baffert

Around a month ago, leviathan US trainer Bob Baffert suggested that high-priced yearling Cezanne wasn't too far off a first start. On Saturday, the US$3.65 million purchase – a record price – from Hill 'n' Dale's draft at the Fasig-Tipton Florida Select 2YOs in Training Sale goes to post for the first time after putting in a bullet (800m) breeze earlier this week where he was in cruise control on the outside (see below). Purchased by Coolmore, the son of Curlin was tipped by Baffert to be a 'wow' horse from day one, and now the gloves are set to come off. Cezanne is a half-brother to Gr1-placed Arabian Hope and stakes-winner Counterforce. According to horseracingnation.com, Bafferet put his regard for the debutant in context by using an analogy along the lines he's the type of horse that, if the buyers wanted their money back, he'd find it. The now 3YO will contest a Maiden Special Weights race over 6.5 furlongs.