Derby News

Photo By: Benoit

In a showdown between two of the west coast's top Kentucky Derby contenders, Brother Derek controlled the pace from the outset in the one mile San Rafael (GII) at Santa Anita Park to get the best of Breeders Cup Juvenile champ Stevie Wonderboy.

In a field that was reduced to just four horses with the scratches of M.J. Pkay and Sailors Sunset, Brother Derek broke very alertly and was keen to go to the lead right from the outset. His rider Alex Solis obliged by moving him to the rail soon after the break, and he had the ideal spot going into the first turn, with the Bob Baffert trainee Wanna Runner about a length behind and to his outside. Meanwhile, Stevie Wonderboy, the 3-5 favorite, was content to settle back in last, but only four lengths off the pacesetter, as they moved down the backstretch.

Once they hit the far turn, Brother Derek put away Wanna Runner and set his sites for the wire. At the same time, Stevie Wonderboy, under Garrett Gomez, began a strong run to the leader. He got within a half-length as they hit midstretch, but could get no closer. At the wire, it was Brother Derek by 1 1/2 lengths over Stevie Wonderboy, with Wanna Runner another 3 1/4 lengths back in third. Woody Be Quick was a distant fourth.

Solis, normally very reserved despite all the success he has had in his career, was giving the crowd at Santa Anita the "#1" sign as he crossed the wire.

After the race, Solis was more than pleased with the outcome, "He broke really sharp and as soon as he took the lead he sat, so I was happy with that. He was still going really strong (when Stevie Wonderboy made his challenge in the stretch). He was just waiting for competition."

Asked if he could get 1 ¼ miles (Kentucky Derby distance): "That’s what we’re bringing him to. You never know until we try it. Everything we’ve asked him to do, he’s done it. Every race he runs he keeps improving and he keeps amazing me, how much he’s maturing and how classy he is."

Meanwhile, trainer Dan Hendricks had this to same about future plans, "We’re not worried about it. Probably the race here at Santa Anita the first week in March (Santa Catalina, March 4) but we’ll keep every option open. He can run from three to six, seven weeks apart and we’re not worried."

Brother Derek paid $4.60 and $2.10. Stevie Wonderboy returned $2.10 and the $2 exacta was worth $6.20.

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