Sabino Canyon earned his first visit to the winner’s circle in stylish fashion with a breakout victory in the $100,000 Los Alamitos Derby on Saturday, June 27.
Making just his third career start, the three-year-old Maxfield colt provided trainer Bob Baffert with his 10th consecutive winner in the nine-furlong contest. Formerly known as the Swaps Stakes when it was run at Hollywood Park, the race had a name change when it moved to Los Alamitos in 2014.
Ridden by Ricky Gonzalez, Sabino Canyon closed from third on the far turn and ran past 3-5 favorite Start the Ride in the final furlong to win by a half-length.
Bred in Kentucky by Mercedes Stables LLC, Sabino Canyon was purchased for $575,000 by his current connections at the 2024 Keeneland September yearling sale. He is out of the winning Quality Road mare, Broadway Play, and is a half-brother to multiple Stakes winner, Littlestitious (Ghostzapper).
In addition to Sabino Canyon, Maxfield is also the sire of the exciting three-year-old colt, Englishman, winner of the G1 Woody Stephens Stakes where he equaled the Saratoga track record. Other 2026 Stakes winners include Ivy Girl, winner of the Weber City Miss Stakes and Holly’s Holiday, winner of the Valley of the Vapors Stakes at Oaklawn Park.
