With Rafael Bejarano in the irons, the 3-year-old son of Pure Prize rallied strongly on the extreme outside to prevail in a three-horse photo while covering the distance in 1:16.26. Charm N Chuck, who set most of the pace, re-rallied for second after being headed by 2-1 favored Monolingual, who settled for third another neck back in the field of seven.
Added the assistant who saddled Coronet of a Baron with Harty away at Keeneland in Kentucky, “The way he ran today, he may be ready to go seven (furlongs) or even step back up into graded company.”
“He felt real comfortable,” said Bejarano. “He gave me a good turn-of-foot in the stretch and he kept running until the end.”
Coronet of a Baron, second choice in the wagering, paid $6.60, $3.40 and $3. Charm N Chuck, ridden by Joe Talamo, returned $6.60 and $4.20. Monolingual, with Martin Garcia aboard, paid $2.60 to show.
The Florida-bred winner went to the sidelines for 10 months following his third in Oak Tree’s Breeders’ Cup event in October of last year. Returning in August at Del Mar, he wound up fifth as the favorite in an allowance event and fifth again when favored in a subsequent start on the grass at Del Mar prior to Wednesday’s triumph.
After breaking his maiden at Arlington Park in his first start on July 6 of last year, Coronet of a Baron moved directly into graded stakes company. He finished second in Del Mar’s Grade II Best Pal stakes prior to the narrow miss in the Del Mar Futurity.
His winnings of $25,200 in the Silver Music boosted his career total to $237,600 from an overall record of 2-2-1 in seven career starts.
Oak Tree racing continues on Thursday with an eight-race program beginning at 1 p.m. General Admission is $5, while Club House entry is $8.50. Seniors aged 62-and-up are admitted free.
