Jaycito joined the lineup for Saturday’s Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby when Bob
Baffert announced that the winner of last year’s Grade 1 Norfolk Stakes and
runner-up to Premier Pegasus in the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes on March 12
would be entered Wednesday in the $1 million race.
The Hall of Fame trainer had been considering the Grade 1 Wood Memorial at
Aqueduct the same day, but opted to keep the stretch-running son of Victory
Gallop, the winner of the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes in 1998, at his home base for
the 1 1/8-mile race.
“I was leery about running him back here,” Baffert said of Santa Anita,
“because horses with his style weren’t doing that well until recently, with the
track favoring speed.
“But shipping could take something out of him, we won’t have to face
(unbeaten Grade 1 Kentucky Derby favorite) Uncle Mo and the weather is good
here.
“Plus, I think he’s got a good chance to win the race. Our main concern is to
have him ready for the next one. This should set him up perfect for the Kentucky
Derby.”
Meanwhile, trainer Steve Asmussen’s team hopes to continue its successful
Southern California sojourn when Silver Medallion runs in the Santa Anita Derby.
Silver Medallion, winner of the Eddie Logan Stakes on turf December 31 before
taking the Grade 3 El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields on February 12,
looms the second choice or third choice behind Premier Pegasus
The bay son of Badge of Silver worked seven furlongs Tuesday in 1:23 3/5.
“We got the move in him that we needed,” said Blasi, who added “we had him
galloping out a mile in 1:37 and change.”
Blasi anticipates a full field on Saturday.
“It will be a field of 10 or 11,” he said. “They don’t give a million dollars
away.”
Despite some 23 inches of rain this meet that altered training schedules, the
Asmussen camp has overcome that obstacle. Blasi prefers to see the glass as half
full.
“The weather’s been fine and the horses are doing well,” he said. “The race
track’s been good to us.”
In other Santa Anita Derby news, smart allowance winner Mr. Commons worked
five furlongs on Hollywood Cushion Track’s Sunday in 1:00 3/5 for John Shirreffs.
First post time on Santa Anita Derby Day is noon (PDT), and gates open at 10
a.m. There will be a guaranteed $500,000 late Pick 4. Official Santa Anita Derby
T-shirts will be available to all paid admission customers at Santa Anita while
supplies last.