Bob Baffert
Just think: If a temporary injunction is issued by a circuit court in Kentucky on Monday (April 8), Hall of Fame trainer could have one — or more — horses in the 150th Kentucky Derby (G1).
Stronghold, Mc Vay Seek Kentucky Derby berths
While it seems unlikely, Amr Zedan, one of Baffert’s biggest clients and owner of highly regarded Muth, filed suit in Jefferson County on Wednesday (April 3) to allow his horse, and others trained by Baffert, to run in the Run for the Roses on May 4.
Baffert’s suspension for a third year by Churchill Downs, Inc., based on the DQ of 2021 Derby first-place finisher Medina Spirit’s post-race positive for a medication overage, is back in the news. But the trainer looks to dominate the $750,000 Santa Anita Derby (G1) on Saturday with San Felipe Stakes (G2) winner Imagination and Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) winner Wynstock.
The Santa Anita Derby offers qualifying points of 100-50-25-15-10 to the first five finishers, but as of now, Baffert’s horses are ineligible for points.
Stronghold, Mc Vay Seek Kentucky Derby berths
And that means Stronghold, the 5-2 second betting choice behind Imagination (8-5), could be the lone California-based 3-year-old to run in the Derby.
Trained by Phil D’Amato, Stronghold has 25 points and is 23rd on the Derby leaderboard – the Derby field is limited to 20 starters. The Sunland Park Derby (G3) winner who needs a top 4 finish leaves from post 3 under Antonio Fresu.
Also in the field is Mc Vay, trained by John Shirreffs. The winless in four starts son of Constitution, has 19 Derby qualifying points (third in the San Felipe, fourth in the Robert B. Lewis).
Imagination will have Frankie Dettori on board once again.
Post time for the Santa Anita Derby is 7:45 p.m. ET
The picks: 1 Imagination 2 Stronghold 3 Wynstock
The field for the $750,000 Santa Anita Derby (G1), from the rail out, with jockey trainer, morning line odds:
1 Curlin’s Kaos (Diego Herrera, Antonio Garcia), 20-1
2 Tapalo (Umberto Rispoli, John Sadler), 5-1
3 Stronghold (Antonio Fresu, Phil D’Amato), 5-2
4 Imagination (Frankie Dettori, Bob Baffert), 8-5
5 Wynstock (Juan Hernandez, Bob Baffert), 8-1
6 Tessuto (Kazushi Kimura, George Papaprodromous), 10-1
7 Mc Vay (Hector Berrios, John Sherriffs), 5-1
8 E J Won the Cup (Mike Smith, Doug O’Neill), 15-1