GAP CLOSING ON BROTHER DEREK?Byline: Kevin Modesti Staff Writer ARCADIA - Although Brother Derek Brother Derek is a thoroughbred horse. A foal of 2003, he was thought to be a contender for the Triple Crown in 2006. He was an early favorite in the Kentucky Derby. However, after starting in post position #18, he fell short in the "Run for the Roses," finishing in a dead heat for is clearly the best 3-year-old in the West, the colt's trainer acknowledges that some of his challengers in Saturday's $750,000 Santa Anita Derby The Santa Anita Derby is an American Grade 1 thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds run each April at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California and carries a purse of $750,000. may be catching up. "Point Determined is just learning what it's all about, and A.P. Warrior A.P. Warrior is a thoroughbred race horse. As a foal of 2003, he was a possible contender for the Triple Crown in 2006. Connections A.P. Warrior is owned by Stan Fulton and trained by John Shirreffs. He was previously trained by Eoin Harty. turned it around and ran a very good race (last time out)," Dan Hendricks said Tuesday in a national telephone news conference. "Both appear to be moving forward, and they should be formidable foes." Hendricks could have included Sacred Light Sacred Light is a thoroughbred racehorse. Born on April 11, 2003, he was a contender for the Triple Crown in 2006, but did not race in the Kentucky Derby. Connections Sacred Light is owned and bred by the Amerman Racing Stable. He's trained by David Hofmans. , a late-running second in Brother Derek's most recent victory, on the list of horses who might be gaining on the California-bred. That improving trio is expected to be among five challengers for heavily favored Brother Derek when entries, post positions and morning-line odds are set this morning for the 69th Santa Anita Derby. The projected field for the 1-mile race at Santa Anita Santa Anita may refer to:
As of 2006, Nakatani has won more than 3000 races including the Kentucky Oaks twice, the Canadian International Stakes, the Dubai Golden riding), Brother Derek (Alex Solis Alex O. Solis (born March 25, 1964 in Panama City, Panama) is a jockey based in the United States. He currently lives in Glendora, California and rides predominantly in Southern California. He first gained national prominence when he won the 1986 Preakness Stakes with Snow Chief. ), Indy Wildcat (Tyler Baze), Point Determined (Rafael Bejarano), Sacred Light (Aaron Gryder) and Wildfang (Omar Berrio). The withdrawal of sprinter Fast Parade on Tuesday improves Brother Derek's chances of controlling the early pace. Since 2-year-old champion Stevie Wonderboy was sidelined with an injury two months ago, Brother Derek has been No. 1 in most rankings of contenders for the May 6 Kentucky Derby. Brother Derek's 1-length victory over Sacred Light in the March 4 Santa Catalina Stakes was his third in a row and fifth in a seven-race career in which his starts have been carefully spaced to keep him fresh. If he wins Saturday's 1-mile prep, he'll probably go to Churchill Downs as the Kentucky Derby favorite. On the morning line for this weekend's final round of Kentucky Derby futures betting, Brother Derek is 7-2, Florida Derby winner Barbaro 5-1, and Arkansas Derby (April 15) favorite Lawyer Ron and Blue Grass Stakes The Blue Grass Stakes, currently sponsored by the Toyota Motor Corporation, is an American Grade 1 horse race for 3-year-old Thoroughbreds held annually in mid April at Keeneland Racecourse in Lexington, Kentucky. (April 15) favorite First Samurai each 12-1. Fifteen horses have come out of the Santa Anita Derby to win the Kentucky Derby, including 1978 Triple Crown winner Affirmed. The past four were distinguished by the fact they lost the Santa Anita Derby - including Giacomo, fourth in the Arcadia race before his 50-1 upset in Louisville in 2005. Giacomo trainer John Shirreffs is represented by A.P. Warrior this time. The race is scheduled for 2:42 p.m. as the sixth of 11 on Saturday. Channel 7 coverage begins at 2 p.m. Kevin Modesti, (818) 713-3616 kevin.modesti@dailynews.com |
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