Cornucopian, making his first start since April, overcame some difficulties on Saturday at Santa Anita to deliver a commanding three-length win over 6 1/2 furlongs. Jockey Juan Hernandez eased up in the stretch as Cornucopian finished in 1 minute 15.58 seconds. According to Brad Free from the Daily Racing Form, the colt earned an impressive Beyer Speed Figure of 97 for this performance.
The 4-year-old colt, sired by Into Mischief and trained by Bob Baffert, was initially set to return in the Grade 1 Malibu Stakes on December 28 at Santa Anita, but was scratched after he stumbled and fell over during saddling. Last year, Cornucopian began as a 4-5 favorite in the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park, where he secured a fourth-place finish following a debut win at Hot Springs a month prior. In his subsequent race on April 27 at Aqueduct, he placed second in a one-mile race, trailing by 3 1/4 lengths in a three-horse field before being sidelined.
Purchased for $1.1 million at the 2023 Keeneland September Sale, Cornucopian races under a broad partnership that includes SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Stonestreet Stables, and others. Earlier on Saturday, his stablemate Potente, another Into Mischief offspring, secured his first win in a six-furlong race against fellow three-year-olds, clocking 1:10.65 and earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 79. Potente was sold for $2.4 million as a yearling, owned by Speedway Stable.
In other Saturday highlights, Westwood, trained by John Shirreffs and ridden by Kazushi Kimura, claimed victory in the Grade 2 San Pasqual Stakes by 2 3/4 lengths, earning a Beyer of 93. This marked Westwood’s first stakes win; the 4-year-old gelding is a son of Authentic. Additionally, Princesa Moche, trained by Doug O’Neill, notched her first stakes triumph by a neck in the Grade 3 Megahertz Stakes, contested over a mile on turf. The 6-year-old Peruvian mare clocked 1:36.09 and earned an 84 Beyer Speed Figure.
This article originally appeared in the Paulick Report on February 1, 2026, under the News section. Click here to select the Paulick Report as your preferred news source.
Fan Take: Cornucopian’s strong return after a long layoff signals the potential for a renewed star in the making, providing excitement for fans eager to see top-tier competition. Meanwhile, the emergence of new stakes winners like Westwood and Princesa Moche showcases the depth and diversity of talent flourishing in the sport, promising thrilling races ahead.
