Kentucky-bred Newgate scored a hard-fought victory in the 87th running of the $400,000 Santa Handicap on Sunday, March 3. In an exciting finish, he ran down pacesetter Subsanador (ARG) close to home to prevail by a head at the wire.

Ridden by Lanfranco Dettori, Newgate chased to two to three wide around the first turn of the 1 ¼-mile fixture. He raced between foes to the far turn, angling outside a trio of rivals at the quarter pole. Newgate discovered his best stride in deep stretch and with a relentless pursuit wore down the frontrunner to get up in the final moments. He stopped the clock in 2:03.49 for trainer Bob Baffert.

Newgate is campaigned by SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Robert Masterson, Stonestreet Stables, Jay Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital, and Catherine Donovan. Bred by Town and Country Horse Farms, he is a son of Into Mischief out of the Majestic Warrior mare Majestic Presence. Newgate was an $850,000 graduate of the 2021 Keeneland September Sale. He was acquired by SF Bloodstock and Madaket Stables out of the Taylor Made Sales Agency consignment.

PATIENT HANDLING PAYS OFF FOR NEWGATE

gate finished second in the San Pasqual Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita. He also annexed the Robert Lewis Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita in 2023. Now a winner in three of nine career starts, Newgate has amassed earnings of $535,775.

“We always thought that he was going to be a better horse as he gets older. We’ve been patient, just getting races into him. Today was supposed to be his coming out party kind of race,” related winning trainer Bob Baffert. “I was getting a little worried there. Turning for home it looked like that other horse got away, but he just dug in. It is such a historical race and just to win it, for our team, and with Frankie Dettori, it really makes it that much more special.”