Hollywood Futurity (G1) and Sham S. (G3) runner-up LIQUIDITY (Tiznow) is the
5-2 favorite on the morning line for Saturday’s $750,000 Santa Anita Derby (G1),
which features a field of 10 sophomores over 1 1/8 miles. The Doug O’Neill
trainee will attempt to rebound from a sixth in the Louisiana Derby (G2), and
he’ll break from post 5 with regular rider Corey Nakatani.
“He looks great and he’s trained well, but until they show it in the
afternoon, you never know,” O’Neill said. “We’ve definitely trained him a little
bit harder. We’ve cranked on this guy a lot more than we did before the
Louisiana Derby. We’re expecting to see some improvement.”
Todd Pletcher has a pair of contenders in KING OF THE ROXY (Littleexpectations)
and SAM P. (Cat Thief), who come next on the morning line at 3-1 and 4-1,
respectively. King of the Roxy exits an impressive win in the 7 1/2-furlong
Hutcheson S. (G2) at Gulfstream Park. Sam P. finished a good second to Great
Hunter (Aptitude) in the Robert B. Lewis S. (G2) last out.
El Camino Real Derby (G3) winner BWANA BULL (Holy Bull) and San Felipe S.
(G2) third-placer LEVEL RED (Aptitude) both merit consideration, and lightly
raced maiden winners TIAGO (Pleasant Tap) and BLACK SEVENTEEN (Is It True) are
in the mix.
COURT THE KING (Doneraile Court), who exits a fourth in the El Camino Real
Derby, is listed at 20-1 on the morning line and will lead the post parade with
Jose Valdivia Jr. They’ll be followed by Sam P., Ramon Dominguez; Bwana Bull,
Russell Baze, 8-1; BOUTROUS (Tiznow), Kent Desormeaux, 12-1; Liquidity; Black
Seventeen, Clinton Potts, 15-1; Level Red, Aaron Gryder, 5-1; King of the Roxy,
Richard Migliore; Tiago, Mike Smith, 20-1; and MEDICI CODE (GB) (Medicean),
Jorge Chavez, 30-1.
All starters will carry 122 pounds.