The Best of the West Coast collide going 9 furlongs for this 100 points to the winner. Top 2 advance to Louisville. Sunday Silence, A. P. Indy, and Free House are memorable Santa Anita Derby winners over the years.
California Chrome set the standard for the West coast horses with a big romp in the San Felipe Stakes. Broke tremendously from the starting gate, was patiently handled to set a comfortable stride and ran the feet off the opposition setting fast fractions for the 4 furlong and 6 furlong mark and coming home in a strong final quarter. Speed figures say he is the fastest based on last couple of races. That was a hard, face surface, that day the track played fair but a big effort on a hard surface. Been in training since last April and that will come back to him at some point. Pedigree still says speed, but performance on the track for last 3 races indicates 9 furlongs at this time is right on the numbers. Big favorite hits hard and has some versatility in running styles over his career. Big races in last 2 races. Not sure how much he can improve and has a nice foundation and should be fit.
Owned by his breeders, Perry Martin and Steve Coburn, California Chrome has banked $534,850 and with Victor Espinoza aboard, he’s won his last three races; the seven furlong King Glorious Stakes, the 1 1/16 miles Cal Cup Derby and the 1 1/16 miles San Felipe, by a combined 19 lengths.
Continues to work well with a fast 4 Furlong work in final Drill:
California Chrome went an easy 4 furlongs in 46 2/5 and galloped out 5 furlongs in 1:00 flat under Victor Espinoza at Los Al Sat. morning.
— Ed Burgart (@qheddie) March 29, 2014
Hoppertunity stays home this time after shipping for last two races. Lightly raced colt has developed fast in last two starts. Broke slow in Risen Star and finished strong in that race while showing some interest down the lane. In the Rebel he received a vigorous warm-up and showed speed from the opening bell to establish position and get involved in the race early. His maiden win he had the rail the entire race, but finished with a strong run the final 1/16th while other horses were fading and galloped out extremely well about 15 lengths in front of the field. Race wide of all the contenders in the Rebel and was still pinning his ears at the finish line and had a strong gallop out. Seems to like running a distance and this should be a good tightener over a track he has won on before. Pedigree and running style should fit the 9 furlong distance. Has been pushed hard with 4 races since January and shipping twice, but seems to be gaining weight and really learning how to run. With 50 points may just let him run from mid-pack, close and start packing the bags. Air up the Tires and Fill up the Tank. Next Stop Kentucky!
Candy Boy came into the derby picture with huge move down the backside in the Cashcall Futurity at Hollywood Park. Making a bold run from the back of the pack to take the lead, Candy Boy finished 2nd behind Shared Belief. He clearly held 2nd in that race and galloped out strong to the end of the race. His win over Chitu was workmanlike in February and his campaign was planned out last December. Everything has gone on schedule so far Lewis was a solid win and enters off a string of works after a carefuly designed layoff. Does need some derby points as he currently has 10 points, so a 1-2-3 finish is required to make sure he makes the Kentucky starting gate. Candy Boy has been well supported in the futures pools in all three races and has been ranked highly all spring. Physically, long neck, wide eyes, carries a lot of weight and really reaches out in his stride. His peak effort may occur on May 3rd. Strong final work of 6 furlongs.
SchoolofhardRocks came off a long layoff in the Robert Lewis and showed speed out of the gate and then had to spend some energy getting settled on the backstretch. Making a long sustained move from the half mile pole to the top of the stretch tired noticeably down the stretch and was not pushed late. This horse had a serious maiden win at Delmar last summer. Works have been steady all spring and strong pedigree for a 3 generation home-bred. Expect a much better effort if the pace is realistic. Pedigree is built for long distance. Like the last work of 6F in 1:12 and 4 should have him fit for 2nd start off the bench. Connections have been patient this spring with a long string of workouts. Just needs a fair track to fire a good race. Much improved effort expected.
Rprettyboyfloyd is everybody’s favorite maiden. Fans of the Buffalo Bills and Minnesota Vikings will gravitate towards this 4-time runner-up. Candice Hare @chare889 loves this guy and his powerful closing kick and said after the last race “He will get their next time” Great bargain $16,000 buy has earned his keep and run against some solid contenders out west. Lost a couple of head bobs in last two races. He’s fit, and fresh and figures to close. He will probably still be a maiden after this race also.
Big Tire picked up a nice win in a maiden race showing some grit down the lane and facing a couple of moves against proven maidens. Not a fan of this guy as we took 6 trips to the starters block before graduating. Goes up in class and does not really have a running style that is going to work in this race. Not fast enough to take the lead and yet, can’t close with horses like Candy Boy and Schoolofhardrocks. Passing in this spot.
Dublin Up is still a maiden and while obviously has some potential to improve he will have to step up with a big effort to compete against 3 of the top 5 horses ranked in the NTRA top 10 poll this week.
The Pace
California Chrome’s last race from a pace figure stand-point was scary good. Previously he had been a presser against weaker competition. All the top contenders run best as pressers and closers. California Chrome may get aggressive at the 6 furlong pole and take command. Candy Boy gets first run, Hoppertunity and Schoolofhardrocks are the closers.
The Choice
Candy Boy has been pointed for this all meet, California Chrome comes in sharp. California Chrome may have the pace edge, could dominate and is my selection, but could bounce to the moon and finish 4th as well. Candy Boy is my choice in a toss-up.