(Arcadia, CA) - Fusaichi Rock Star, the longest price on the board, at 7-1 won the seven furlong San Vicente Stakes (GII) at Santa Anita. Owned by Fusao Sekiguchi and trained by Bob Baffert, Fusaichi Rock Star showed good speed from the start, with all four runners breaking smoothly. Fusaichi Rock Star took the lead going past the ½ mile pole and continued to hold the advantage throughout the stretch despite being challenged briefly inside the furlong marker by Kirkendahl.

The most impressive effort may not have come from the winner. Second place finisher, Don't Get Mad, after breaking alertly, dropped back and was content to spot the other three competitors at least eight lengths going down the backside. Don't Get Mad trailed some very leisurely early fractions of 23.32, 46.56 and came through along the rail like a rocket in the final furlong to miss by a length. He galloped out past the winner after going no more than 10 yards past the wire. It's not as if Fusaichi Rock Star was not slowing down. He ran the final furlong in :12 1/5 with Don't Get Mad showing a tremendous turn of foot, covering the same distance in an eye catching :11 1/5.

Fusaichi Rock Star, with David Flores aboard, covered the seven furlongs in 1:22.59 and paid $17.00 and $5.20, Don't Get Mad, Tyler Baze riding, paid $4.00. Kirkendahl was third with Kent Desormeaux. There was no show wagering with the short field. Fusaichi Rock Star won for the second time in five starts while scoring his first graded stakes win. The son of Wild Wonder earned $90,000 for the victory bringing his total earnings to $138,366.

Heavy favorite Consolidator, trained by D. Wayne Lukas, had no excuse. He had good position throughout, only lacking the needed response in the drive to finish last in the field of four.

Probable favorite Roman Ruler was scratched on Saturday because of a new quarter crack that was discovered Friday afternoon after entries closed for the San Vicente.

Winning jockey David Flores said he, "...just really let him cruise. I was very pleased how he was responding. He is a stronger horse than when I road him at Del Mar last summer." When asked about Don't Get Mad's strong finish as he galloped on by Fusaichi Rock Star after the wire, David responded, "I was like, who was that?"

Baffert did not indicate where his colt would make his next start.

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