Hard to Figure broke his maiden in style when pulling away in the stretch to win the six-and-a-half-furlong Capote Stakes by three lengths at Los Alamitos Race Course on Sunday, 25 September.
The two-year-old chestnut son of Hard Spun was making just his third career start, having finished third in both previous outings. Trainer Bob Baffert had full confidence in the colt, which rewarded him with a resounding victory.
Hard to Figure broke sharply out of the gate and quickly went up to contest the early pace with Flame Rider (Street Sense). As the field continued down the backstretch Hard to Figure took back slightly off the lead, content to sit right behind Flame Rider.
Heading into the far turn, Hard to Figure was still sitting in second, but was closing rapidly on the tiring leader. At the top of the lane Hard to Figure took command and began pulling away, eventually crossing the wire an easy winner. Favored Massimo closed belatedly for second, with Man Child getting up to take third.
Hard to Figure was bred in Kentucky and is a half-brother to Multiple Stakes winners Inconclusive (Include) and Fall At Last (Spring At Last). His dam, Ani La, is a half-sister to Multiple Graded Stakes winner Hence (Street Boss), and hails from the immediate female family of Champions Marchfield and Regal Ransom, and Multiple Graded Stakes winners Devil May Care (G1) and Pico Teneriffe.
Hard to Figure is one of 12 Stakes winners this year for his sire, Hard Spun. In addition to the Capote winner, Hard Spun has sired recent Stakes winners Sister Seagull, Hard Empire (G2 in Aust.), Aloha West, Sparkle Blue, Loyalty, Two Phil’s and Spun Glass.
