Frankie Dettori Masters $400,000 G1 Race, Embarking on a Triumph in His New Chapter

It was in December 2023 that Frankie Dettori finally made his comeback following a roller coaster of decision-making. The three-time British Champion jockey surprised the racing world with his permanent move to the USA last year to start his new chapter. Following this, he kick-started the new season and thus his chapter taking on eight rides at Santa Anita on Boxing Day. A couple of months later, the celebrated jockey has been on a winning spree on the new grounds.

Earlier in 2022, Frankie Dettori had expressed his views to retire following his 2023 season completion. However, owing to the love of the sport and the success it has brought along, the jockey flipped later last year, making his way to Santa Anita. And today, Dettori continues with his dominance, claiming multiple victories just a few months in.

Frankie Dettori navigates his new chapter successfully

The Santa Anita Park on Sunday welcomed its annual Santa Anita Handicap for a 4-year-old’s Big Cap spectacle. On the successful end stood Frankie Dettori, recording four races with 2 victories for the day. The final of which arrived on Bab Baffert-trainer, Newgate. In a field of seven, the equine covered his first ever 1 1/4 mile race for 2:03.49 under Dettori’s guidance on the track. The jockey maneuvered Newgate to the four-path in a crowded turn to claim victory over the worn-down rivals.

It was a sixth win in the race for Bob Baffert and the first Big ‘Cap win for Frankie Dettori. I rode in the Big ‘Cap the first time last year and it was a dream. And to win it, I couldn’t ask for anything more. It is a big feather in my cap,” Dettori remarks. The first of the feathers for the month arrived for the jockey just before the G1 win when he initially led Baffert’s Imagination to victory.

Dual celebrations for the jockey

On the Santa Anita grounds on Sunday, trainer Bob Baffert had a whole army to prove his excellence in the field. Frankie Dettori, taking on one, 3-year-old Imagination to start his day, landed his victory of the month. The duo navigated the field of four after a scare by one of the horses to record 1:44.55 on the 1 1/16 miles track. “My horse, and I took him back to get him wide to get him to relax and get him back into the race. He fought a great duel. He was full of heart,” Dettori stated.

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The run time was reported as the slowest San Felipe since Soul of the Matter’s 1:44.68 in 1994. Nonetheless, the G2 $300,000 win added the first of three graded stakes wins for Baffert on Sunday and the first for Dettori. Having recorded well over 40 races for the 2024 racing season, Frankie Dettori hopes to tread the new chapter well.