Article: Brother Derek Attracts Five Rivals for Santa Anita Derby
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Brother Derek Attracts Five Rivals for Santa Anita Derby
Apr 5, 5:00 PM (ET)
By BETH HARRIS
ARCADIA, Calif. (AP) - Brother Derek was installed as the 3-5 morning-line favorite for Saturday's $750,000 Santa Anita Derby, where only five other 3-year-old colts will challenge him.
Brother Derek was assigned the No. 2 post at Wednesday's draw. He has won five of seven career starts, including three in a row.
"You always hope to get a horse that just keeps improving. Each week, each race, he's done that," trainer Dan Hendricks said.
A victory in the 1 1-8-mile West Coast prep would solidify Brother Derek's status as the favorite for the May 6 Kentucky Derby.
"The overall plan has always been to get there," Hendricks said. "Luckily, we've been improving and he's doing well. Once we get through Saturday and everything goes well, we'll start planning on from there."
A.P. Warrior, winner of the San Felipe Stakes three weeks ago, drew the No. 1 post and is second choice at 7-2. He's trained by John Shirreffs, who saddled Giacomo to an upset victory in last year's Kentucky Derby.
Point Determined was made the 4-1 third choice and will break from the far outside. Trainer Bob Baffert is seeking a record fifth Santa Anita Derby victory.
Point Determined's sire is Point Given, the 2001 Santa Anita Derby winner who won the Preakness and Belmont that year after finishing fifth to Monarchos in the Kentucky Derby.
Heavy rain hit Santa Anita for the second straight day Wednesday. The extended forecast calls for clear skies starting Thursday.
"Track condition is going to play a major part," Baffert said. "Some horses are going to love it, some aren't."
The race also will go a long way toward deciding who stays on or falls off the Triple Crown trail.
"Brother Derek is definitely the best horse I've seen this year," Baffert said. "We're going to find out if we belong. We're hoping to run 1-2-3, be close to him. That will be the telltale sign if we belong in the Kentucky Derby."
Brother Derek's five-furlong workout in 1:00.20 on Sunday was still being buzzed about three days later.
"It was very amazing," said jockey Alex Solis, who was aboard. "Every week that goes by, he keeps amazing me more and more."
Sacred Light, second to Brother Derek in the Santa Catalina Stakes a month ago, will start in the No. 5 post at early odds of 9-2.
"Although Brother Derek will be the lone speed, at some point you always get pressure in a race," said Aaron Gryder, Sacred Light's jockey. "Whether we catch him or not, it's about this horse moving forward, it's about him learning a little bit more, and I think he's going to do that."
The two long shots are 30-1 Indy Wildcat (No. 4 post) and 50-1 Wildfang (No. 3 post).
