Stevie Wonderboy launches Kentucky Derby campaign in San Rafael

Last updated: 1/12/06 8:11 PM

Stevie Wonderboy is set for Saturday
(Michael J. Marten/Horsephotos.com)

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) winner and likely juvenile champion STEVIE
WONDERBOY (Stephen Got Even) will make his eagerly anticipated three-year-old
bow in Saturday’s $150,000 San Rafael S. (G2) at Santa Anita. The one-mile race
is but the first step on the road to the Kentucky Derby (G1) for the scopey
chestnut, and Hollywood Futurity (G1) winner BROTHER DEREK (Benchmark) could
prove tough to catch on the front end Saturday. However, trainer Doug O’Neill
isn’t conceding anything with Stevie Wonderboy while keeping an eye on the big
picture.

“He’s doing fantastic,” O’Neill said. “In our mind, he’s ready to win. Is
this the end goal? No. We definitely want to win this and we think he’s ready to
win, but the first Saturday in May is our long-term target, that’s for sure.”

Five challengers will line up against Stevie Wonderboy, and owner Merv
Griffin will be on hand to watch the colt’s first attempt around two turns.
Santa Anita oddsmaker Jeff Tufts has listed Stevie Wonderboy as the 4-5 favorite
on the morning line.

The Dan Hendricks-trained Brother Derek is the early 8-5 second choice. The
California-bred scored a front-running win in the two-turn Norfolk S. (G2) at
Santa Anita in early October and followed with a decent fourth in the Breeders’
Cup Juvenile at Belmont Park. Brother Derek bounced back off that setback with a
superb performance in the Hollywood Futurity, and Alex Solis will once again
guide the speedy colt.

The contestants, from the rail with riders, are WOODY BE QUICK (Woodman),
Corey Nakatani; Brother Derek; M.J. PKAY (Gold Knuckles), Isaias Enriquez; WANNA
RUNNER (El Corredor), Victor Espinoza; Stevie Wonderboy, Garrett Gomez; and
SAILORS SUNSET (Petionville), Jon Court.

Stevie Wonderboy and Brother Derek will each carry 122 pounds, the rest tote
116.

Two races later, the $200,000 San Fernando Breeders’ Cup S. (G2) will feature
a field of nine four-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles. GREELEY’S GALAXY (Mr. Greeley),
a smashing 9 1/2-length winner of last year’s Illinois Derby (G2), is the top
draw.

The Warren Stute trainee exits a seventh in the Malibu S. (G1), but that
seven-furlong test basically served as a tightener off a seven-month layoff.
Greeley’s Galaxy is being pointed to major two-turn events in the handicap
division this season, and he’ll run coupled with Grade 3 turf winner OSIDY
(Storm Cat) on Saturday due to common ownership.

Stakes winner SWISS LAD (Phone Saga) will lead the San Fernando post parade
with Tyler Baze. Next comes CANTEEN (Fusaichi Pegasus), Pat Valenzuela; Osidy,
Solis; Greeley’s Galaxy, Kent Desormeaux; UNBRIDLED ENERGY (Unbridled’s Song),
Gomez; SWING YOUR PARTNER (Wheaton), Aaron Gryder; SORT IT OUT (Out of Place),
Espinoza; DISTORTED (Distorted Humor), Jose Valdivia Jr.; and BRECON BEACON (GB)
(Spectrum), Nakatani. Canteen and Sort It Out will also run as an entry.