Saturday’s $750,000
Santa
Anita Derby (G1) has drawn a contentious group of 10 three-year-olds trying
to stamp their tickets to the May 1 Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs, but
the reappearance of champion LOOKIN AT LUCKY (Smart Strike) could spoil those
plans.
Trainer Bob Baffert shipped the bay colt to Oaklawn Park for the March 13
Rebel S. (G2), which was his dirt debut. Lookin at Lucky passed the main track
test, but had to work to get the head victory in the 1 1/16-mile test following
midrace trouble. His Hall of Fame conditioner opted to take his charge back to
California for the Santa Anita Derby instead of staying at Oaklawn for the $1
million Arkansas Derby (G1) on April 10, and Lookin at Lucky will break from the
7 post as the 4-5 morning-line favorite.
Lookin at Lucky owns a 6-1-0 record from seven starts, with his only loss
coming as head second following a troubled trip in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile
(G1) last season. Regular rider Garrett Gomez has piloting duties once again.
Lookin at Lucky’s biggest threat on Saturday should come from SIDNEY’S CANDY
(Candy Ride [Arg]). The John Sadler trainee has captured his last two over Santa
Anita’s Pro-Ride, drawing off to an impressive 4 1/4-length victory in the San
Vicente S. (G2) and posting a half-length score in the San Felipe S. (G2). The
chestnut, who is the 3-1 second favorite on the morning-line, will break from
the 4 post in this one, which should aid his front-running ways under Joe
Talamo.
CARACORTADO (Cat Dreams) will be looking for revenge on Sidney’s Candy
following a third-place finish behind that one in the San Felipe. That
was the Mike Machowsky runner’s only loss from six starts to date and, like Lookin at Lucky, the chestnut will be trying to make it his only loss. He’s the
5-1 third choice with Paul Atkinson in the saddle.
ALPHIE’S BET (Tribal Rule) is the only runner in the Santa Anita Derby who
has actually won at the distance. That victory came on March 6 in the Sham S.
(G3), where the Alexis Barba-conditioned bay pulled away late to secure the 2
1/4-length win over SETSUKO (Pleasantly Perfect), who was making his stakes bow
in the Sham.
Other interesting Santa Anita Derby prospects include POSSE POWER (Posse),
WHO’S UP (Graeme Hall) and CARDIFF GIANT (Yankee Gentleman). Posse Power will be
trying Pro-Ride for the first time here after spending his prior six career
starts on the Tapeta at Golden Gate Fields. He enters this race following a
third in the El Camino Real Derby (G3) in his black-type bow. Who’s Up will be
making his first start since capturing the Generous S. (G3) at Hollywood Park
last November, and will be saddled by new trainer Mike Puhich. Cardiff Giant
will probably enjoy revisiting the Pro-Ride following a below-par fifth-place
effort in the Rebel last out. He, too, will be running for Puhich, while
returning to the site of his San Rafael S. (G3) second.
Allowance scorers THOMAS BAINES (Johannesburg) and SKIPSHOT (Skip Away) round
out the Santa Anita Derby field.
Santa Anita will host a total of four stakes on Saturday, with the $150,000
Arcadia
H. (G2) highlighting the undercard events. Multiple Grade 2 king BATTLE OF
HASTINGS (GB) (Royal Applause [GB]) is looking for his first win since taking
last year’s Virginia Derby (G2). Since then, the Jeff Mullins trainee has run
second by a nose in the Del Mar Derby (G2), fourth in the Shadwell Turf Mile
(G1), second by a head in the Oak Tree Derby (G2) and second in the Hollywood
Derby (G1).
In his seasonal debut, the four-year-old recorded a third-placing in the
Frank E. Kilroe Mile H. (G1) and will have to face the nose runner-up from that
event again here in this one-mile turf test. FLUKE (Brz) (Wild Event) captured
the Citation H. (G1) in November, then returned to lead nearly all the way home
in the Kilroe Mile, just getting nipped on the line while holding Battle of
Hastings by 1 1/4 lengths. BLUE CHAGALL (Fr) (Testa Rossa), fourth in the Kilroe
Mile, is also part of this seven-horse field.
A field of 10 three-year-old fillies will get their turn on the turf when
going 1 1/8 miles in the $150,000
Providencia S. (G2). CAMILLE C (Roman Dancer), runner-up in the China Doll
S. last out over course and distance, will try to turn the tables on the winner CITY TO CITY (City Zip). WARREN’S JITTERBUG
(Affirmative), who just missed winning the Santa Anita Oaks (G1) by three necks,
and Santa Anita Oaks fifth-placer COZI ROSIE (Pleasantly Perfect) are also in
the Providencia.
Nine sprinters are set to line up in the $150,000
Potrero Grande H. (G2) going 6 1/2 furlongs, including EATON’S GIFT
(Johannesburg), winner of last year’s Smile Sprint H. (G2); Triple Bend H. (G1)
runner-up RUSH WITH THUNDER (Tribal Rule); and VENTANA (Toccet), second in the
San Carlos H. (G2) and Palos Verdes H. (G2) in his two starts so far this year.