Kentucky-bred Defunded made every pole a winning one and defeated stablemate Country Grammer in taking down the top prize in the $300,000 Awesome Again S. (G1) at Santa Anita on Saturday, Oct. 1, earning a berth in the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) at Keeneland on Nov. 5.

Ridden by Edwin Maldonado, Defunded dictated the pace from the start. He set fractions of :22.67, :46.70, and 1:10.89, all while maintaining a clear advantage over his seven rivals. Defunded received a mild challenge from Slow Down Andy at the quarter pole but responded gamely when asked and drew clear with a furlong remaining to defeat a rallying Country Grammer by 1 ¾ lengths at the finish.

“It was a very nice trip,” Maldonado said. “Bob told me I had a great shot in this race, so put him on the lead. And when Bob says you have a shot, you have a shot.”

It was the initial stakes win for Defunded, who is campaigned by Mike Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman and trained by Bob Baffert. The $180,000 winner’s share of the purse increased Defunded’s lifetime bankroll to $518,100.

“I’m proud,” Baffert said. “Defunded ran so well here before and when we got to Del Mar, he just had a meltdown in the paddock and didn’t behave himself. Today, he was perfect. They all loaded in the gate perfect, and I give Edwin a lot of the credit. He is such a great speed rider. I told him I’d throw him a nice horse when we got up here and he rode a perfect race.”

Bred in Kentucky by Athens Woods, Defunded was a $210,000 graduate of the 2019 Keeneland September Sale. The 4-year-old son of Dialed In is produced from the Touch Gold mare Wind Caper.