Arcadia, CA
Trainer Bob Baffert looked to have yet another star blossoming in his barn Saturday afternoon after Mastery dominated the Grade II San Felipe Stakes.
The 3-year-old colt ran the field off their feet and cruised to a 6 3/4 length victory under jockey Mike Smith.
Mastery made quick work of the seven runners, striking the front easily from the bell and never looked back through impressive fractions of :46 and 1:10 for the 1 1/16 mile race.
Smith appeared to have the graded stakes winner geared down across the finish line, but then pulled him up on the gallop-out.
Mastery had to be vanned off the track by an ambulance after the gallop and was later diagnosed with a fracture in his left front leg.
Baffert said the colt is expected to survive the injury, but sadly does end Kentucky Derby hopes for the winner.
lliad was no match in second place, but did give an impressive effort while making his two-turn debut.
While Term of Art rounded out the trifecta and Gormley turned in a disappointing effort finishing a very distant fourth.
Maserty was the race favorite and returned $3.60 to win and finished the race in a nice final time of 1:42.
After the race Baffert continued to say he was "shocked" by the injury, but did say he will have updates on the status of his young colt.