Bob Baffert’s colt and Linda Rice’s hopeful look to maintain undefeated Records at Santa Anita Park and Aqueduct, respectively
The route to the Kentucky Derby will capture much of the attention this upcoming weekend in the United States. As mentioned in these pages, the Fountain of Youth (G2) at Gulfstream Park, a prep race for the Florida Derby (G1), promises to offer thrilling action this afternoon.
But competitions that lead to the start of the Triple Crown will also be decided in California and New York. At Santa Anita Park, the DK Horse San Felipe Stakes (G2 – 1700m, dirt, US$ 300,000) will serve as a stepping stone to the Santa Anita Derby (G1); while at Aqueduct, the Gotham Stakes (G3 – 1600m, US$ 300,000) will point toward the Wood Memorial (G2).
In the first of those competitions, as is often the case on the West Coast, Bob Baffert’s colts will dominate the spotlight. With three of the six participants under his care, the most notable is the highly sought-after Barnes (Into Mischief), who was purchased as a yearling for $3.2 million and has already been more than paying back the investment.
Always ridden by Juan Hernández, Barnes opened his campaign with a head victory at Churchill Downs, before moving on to the San Vicente Stakes (G2), where he won by 5 1/2 lengths, leaving a remarkable impression.
The morning-line favorite (1-1), Barnes' main rival will be his stablemate Rodríguez (Authentic), who, after dropping from the highest category to win by 7 lengths, finished 3 3/4 lengths behind the champion Citizen Bull (Into Mischief) in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3).
Another horse to consider is Journalism, trained by Michael McCarthy and supported by a comfortable victory in the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) at Los Alamitos, where he triumphed by 3 1/2 lengths, confirming the good impression he had made when securing his first win at Del Mar.
Meanwhile, in the Gotham Stakes, 10 horses will line up, with Sand Devil (Violence) emerging as the leading candidate. Under the training of Linda Rice and with José Lezcano in the saddle, the chestnut colt enters undefeated after three starts, all on the Aqueduct dirt, where he will compete again. His dominant victory in the Damon Runyon Stakes (L) in his last outing caught attention, and he aims to keep his winning streak alive.
His main rival will be Sacrosanct (Honest Mischief), who is also undefeated with a 4-0 record, including three stakes victories. Another horse to watch is Calling Card (Complexity), seeking a rebound performance.
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