Kentucky Derby Prep Race Updates: Santa Anita Derby and Wood Memorial
by Patricia Woo | Apr 5 2010
Two of the most highly anticipated races of the run-up to the
Kentucky Derby were run this Saturday, April 3, featuring a handful of the elite Kentucky Derby hopefuls. Lookin at Lucky and Sidney's Candy were in action in the $750,000 Gr. 1 Santa Anita Derby, while Eskendereya , Awesome Act and Jackson Bend went head-to-head in the $750,000 Gr. 1 Wood Memorial.
Horse bettors were looking to Lookin at Lucky to dominate in the $750,000 Gr. 1
Santa Anita Derby at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif., as he had in his first race of the year, the $300,000 Gr. 2 Rebel Stakes. Trained by Bob Baffert, Lookin at Lucky was atop many Kentucky Derby contender lists, proving he could win on synthetics and dirt. But in the Santa Anita Derby, his final prep before Derby day, Lookin at Lucky had a troubled trip under jockey Garrett Gomez. Fourth early on, Lookin at Lucky was racing along the rail when he was pressured by two rivals at the five-sixteenths pole and forced to drop back. It was Sidney's Candy, unbeaten in two previous races, who took advantage of the race favorite's misfortune. Under regular rider Joe Talamo, Sidney's Candy bobbled at the start but recovered and set the pace in the 1 1/8 mile race. He drew away and hit the wire first in a time of 1:48. Setsuko, with Rafael Bejarano aboard, made a late charge and finished second. To his credit, Lookin at Lucky recovered enough to finish third and was followed by Caracortado, Skipshot, Alphie's Bret, Thomas Baines, Posse Power, Who's Up and Cardiff Giant.
Sidney's Candy, who is trained by John Sadler, is now on his way to the Kentucky Derby; his berth is locked up with $630,000 in graded stakes earnings.
Over at Aqueduct Racetrack in Jamaica, NY., the $750,000 Gr. 1 Wood Memorial took place with an equally talented cast. Eskendereya was expected to deliver another showstopping performance over the 9-furlong race and he didn't disappoint. Trained by Todd Pletcher, this Giant's Causeway colt built on his win in the $250,000 Gr. 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes on Feb. 20 with another dominating victory. He stalked leaders Most Happy Fella and Jackson Bend until the final turn, where he and John Velazquez surged to the lead and a 3 ½ length victory in a time of 1:49.97. Jackson Bend, with Calvin Borel aboard, finished second while the duo of Awesome Act and Julien Leparoux took third. Schoolyard Dreams, Carnivore and Most Happy Fella rounded out the order of finish.
Eskendereya now has $600,000 in graded stakes earnings and has qualified for the Kentucky Derby. Jackson Bend and Awesome Act likely have enough to make the top 20 and both are expected to make the trip for the Derby as well.
The Run for the Roses is just a month away!
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