Liaison
by Chelsey Burris
**Learn about ALL of the 2012 contenders by getting our Kentucky Derby Guide**
Liaison
(Starts: 7 Win: 3 Place: 0 Show: 1 Earnings: $487,560)
Trainer: Bob Baffert (21.8%)
Jockey: Martin Garcia (15.2%)
THE CONNECTIONS: Liaison is one of two entrants for Hall Of Fame trainer Bob Baffert in the 2012 Kentucky Derby (the other of course being Bodemeister.) They always say it’s “the other Baffert” that gets you, so perhaps Liaison playing second-fiddle to Bodemeister will be a blessing in disguise in the Derby. Baffert knows the drill at Churchill Downs. The 59-year-old trainer has conditioned three Kentucky Derby winners: Silver Charm in 1997, Real Quiet in 1998, and War Emblem in 2002. He has also won 5 Preakness Stakes and 1 Belmont as well as numerous other Grade 1 events. He was the Eclipse Award winning trainer three years in a row between 1997 and 1999. The usually quick-witted and funny trainer had a life-changing experience recently. While in Dubai to watch one of his horses compete in the Dubai World Cup in March, the Hall of Famer suffered a serious heart attack. He seems to have obtained a new lease on life, and is ready to return to one of horseracing’s greatest venues to attempt to capture the coveted Kentucky Derby trophy yet again.
Jockey Martin Garcia is often trainer Bob Baffert’s go-to rider. The 28-year-old jockey is based in southern California, but was originally from Mexico. From very humble beginnings, Garcia came to America in 2003 to work at a deli before being introduced to former jockey Mark Hanna. A whirlwind of activity followed, and Garcia ended up exercising horses in the morning as well as hot-walking them. Recognizing that he had found his calling, Garcia made it his mission to become a jockey. He won his first race in August 2005. He has risen through the ranks since, and Bob Baffert has been instrumental to his success. Arguably the two most talented horses he has sat on so far, 2010 Preakness and Haskell winner Lookin At Lucky and 2011 Kentucky Oaks winner Plum Pretty were both from the Baffert barn. The dynamic duo will be looking for more success in Louisville with Liaison on May 5.
THE HORSE: After selling for $290,000 at the Keeneland September yearling sale, big things were expected from Liaison, and he became quite popular as a juvenile. After breaking his maiden in his 2nd start, he stepped up to stakes company, taking the Real Quiet Stakes at Hollywood Park over Rousing Sermon. The two renewed their rivalry in December in the Grade 1 Cashcall Futurity, where Liaison showed his fighting spirit to repel the charge of Rousing Sermon near the wire. It is rare to see a young horse show the grit and determination that defined Liaison’s 2-year-old campaign.
Everyone expected Liaison to continue to dominate racing in California as a 3-year-old, but unfortunately that hasn’t been the case. In his first start of the year, the Grade 2 Robert B. Lewis Stakes, bad luck struck the colt as he clipped heels with another runner in the stretch, causing him to dump jockey Rafael Bejarano and head for the finish line solo. He went to the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes next, but managed only 4th. In his most recent start, the dark brown colt ran 6th in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby. What is the cause of his loss of form in 2012? All of his starts this year have come on Santa Anita’s main track, which trainer Bob Baffert has commented may not have been to Liaison’s liking. He is thriving at Churchill Downs, where he turned in a very impressive workout April 30.
THE PEDIGREE: Liaison’s sire is Indian Charlie, the 1998 Santa Anita Derby winner for trainer (you guessed it) Bob Baffert. This stallion stood at Airdrie Stud until his death in December 2011. Perhaps his most famous offspring is 2010 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner and Eclipse Award winning 2-year-old male Uncle Mo. Indian Charlie also sired Champions Indian Blessing and Fleet Indian in America, as well as Indian Apple Is in Canada. It is often debated if Indian Charlie can truly sire horses that can get the Derby distance. However, Indian Charlie himself finished 3rd in the 1998 Run For The Roses, and his daughter Fleet Indian won the 1 1/4 miles Grade 1 Personal Ensign Stakes in 2006, and took down a Grade 2 at the same distance as well. Liaison will be complimented by the female side of his family, which is loaded with stamina. His dam, Galloping Gal is by Victory Gallop. In a somewhat strange twist, Victory Gallop makes an appearance (keep in mind this horse stopped Bob Baffert’s Real Quiet from winning the 1998 Triple Crown by beating him by a mere yet heartbreaking nose in the Belmont Stakes.) Coming full-circle, Baffert is now hoping some of that endurance has been passed down to Liaison from his grandfather.
CONCLUSION: Although Liaison isn’t usually mentioned in the same breath as the favorites this year, he is a very nice horse in his own right. His 2012 campaign has been lackluster, but if the Santa Anita surface was the only thinking slowing him down and he returns to his juvenile form Derby day, watch out. At long odds, he could show the classy determination that made him a force to be reckoned with in such races as the Grade 1 Cashcall Futurity. Who’s to say he couldn’t give trainer Bob Baffert his 4th Kentucky Derby win?
PEDIGREE GRADE: B
OVERALL GRADE: C
FAIR ODDS: 30-1
**Learn about ALL of the 2012 contenders by getting our Kentucky Derby Guide**