Santa Anita Derby: Wide Open Premier Pegasus and Jaycito Scratched

Saturday, April 09, 2011

by Bodog Racebook

Santa Anita Derby: Wide Open Premier Pegasus and Jaycito Scratched

But it also has given the nine horses left in the field unexpected opportunities to qualify for the 2011 Kentucky Derby.

Before their late developing leg injuries, Premier Pegasus and Jaycito looked to be the most logical 1-2 finishers in the SA Derby, just as they finished 1-2 in the San Felipe Stakes over the same track Mar. 12.

With both of those strong stretch running performers out of this nine furlong race— and seemingly out of the Triple Crown chase—the Santa Anita Derby has been turned upside down, even though SILVER MEDALLION, ANTHONYS CROSS and COMMA AT THE TOP have reasonably strong credentials as the only Graded stakes winners in the remaining lineup.

Comma to the Top, a two time Graded stakes winner last year was a fair fourth in the San Felipe after dueling for the lead in super fast fractions. With less pressure, Comma to the Top should be more dangerous this time around. Interestingly, his trainer Peter Miller said this week that the outcome will not persuade him to go to Louisville with this horse.

“This is our Kentucky Derby,” Miller said. "If we win the Santa Anita Derby, that will be it for awhile.”

The other two Graded stakes winners— Silver Medallion and Anthony’s Cross—are bidding for starting berths in the America’s most famous race.

Silver Medallion, trained by Steve Asmsusen, rallied from mid-pack to win the El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields in northern California on Feb. 12 and is three for six lifetime, although he never has raced on a dirt surface.

Asmussen is confident however that the son of Badge of Silver will convert his good form to the Santa Anita main track and his recent workouts, as recorded by my web site’s astute clocker, Bruno DeJulio, suggest the same.

Said DeJulio on www.GradeIOneRacing.com, about Silver Medallion’s two most recent training moves at Santa Anita:

  • Apr 5th, 2011, Santa Anita Park,  4 furlongs in 48 3/5:  “ Silver Medallion went the first 1/4 mile in 24.3; finished the last quarter in 24 flat under a big hold!! Looked great on the gallop out, finishing strong.  Nicely done here today.
  • Mar 29th, 2011: 7 furlongs in 1:23 3/5. . .“Worked lights out this morning for Asmussen with assistant Blasi watching from his pony. Went in evenly controlled fractions of 12 seconds; 24; 36; 48 and 100.1. Finished final quarter  in a sharp 23-2/5 and continued on to gallop out a mile in 137 and change. He is seriously good, but will he be good enough (to handle Premier Pegasus, Jaycito, etc.) in the Santa Anita Derby.”

Without Premier Pegasus and Jaycito, it certainly is reasonable to believe that Silver Medallion’s chances have improved quite a bit. As for Anthony’s Cross, who narrowly won the Robert Lewis Stakes over the SA track at the nine furlong Santa Anita Derby distance; he too has trained well:

Said GradeOneRacing’s clocker, Molly Jo Rosen, who covers Hollywood Park:

Apr. 4, Hollywood Park, 5 Furlongs in 59- 4/5. “Anthony’s Cross was moving well on his own until the rider briefly lost the reins at the eighth pole while reaching for the whip, but even with that miscue, the son of Indian Charlie came home the final quarter in a solid, 23.4.”

Mar 30th, 2011, 6 furlongs in 1:12 2/5.  “Anthony came home willingly in a mere maintenance drill without being asked for much. Did it all on his natural ability.”

The new shooters and longshots who will contest this important Kentucky Derby prep include OFFLEE WILD BOYS; INDIAN WINTER, MR. COMMONS, MIDNIGHT INTERLUDE, QUAIL HILL and  BENCH POINTS.

Bench Points, third behind Premier Pegasus and Jaycito in the San Felipe, made a positive impression on me in stakes restricted to California breds last summer at Del Mar. He deserves a chance to improve here and just might be the sleeper in the field.

Mr. Commons won a good allowance race over the track Feb. 26 and is trained by John Sherriffs and will be ridden by Mike Smith, the combination that guided the great ZENYATTA through her illustrious career and also won the 2005 Kentucky Derby with longshot GIACOMO.

Midnight Interlude won a one mile maiden race by six lengths in his third career start Mar 20 and is trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, who has won three Kentucky Derbies and was ready to send Jaycito into this race before a severe bruise on his left foot was discovered Friday morning.

Beyond this competitive race, some horseplayers will be keeping an eye out for the $300,000 Illinois Derby at Hawthorne Racetrack; but, many more will be watching the $1 million Wood Memorial at Aqueduct. That is the race trainer Todd Pletcher has picked out for UNCLE MO’s final pre Derby prep.

Should the unbeaten Uncle Mo handle the task against seemingly weak opposition in the Wood, he probably will go on to the 2011 Kenrucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 7 as one of the shortest priced horse betting favorites in many years.

Place your Bet on Santa Anita Derby Race with Bodog Racebook, click here!

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anthonys cross - aqueduct - bench points - bob baffert - churchill downs - comma at the top - giacomo - hawthorne racetrack - hollywood park - horse betting

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