American Freedom wins stretch battle in Sir Barton

6:12 PM ET

BALTIMORE — Trainer Bob Baffert wanted to erase the memory of American Freedom’s sixth-place finish in the Pat Day Mile two weeks ago as fast as possible. So, he asked owner Gary West if he could run the horse back in Saturday’s $100,000 Sir Barton Stakes at Pimlico.

West gave his blessing, and American Freedom rewarded Baffert’s faith in the horse by grinding out a 1-1/4-length victory over Voluntario in the Sir Barton over a muddy Pimlico main track. It was 1-1/4 lengths farther back to Dazzling Gem in third.

The win gave Baffert a sweep of the 3-year-old listed stakes on the Preakness card. He also won the Chick Lang with Justin Squared.

American Freedom proves too strong in the stretch of Saturday’s Sir Barton Stakes at Pimlico. Maryland Jockey Club

American Freedom won his debut April 9 in the slop at Santa Anita. He was sent off as a 7-5 favorite in a 14-horse field in the Pat Day Mile at Churchill Downs on May 7. American Freedom broke slowly that day, chased the pace, and faded to sixth, beaten seven lengths by Sharp Azteca.

“I felt a lot of …

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