Derby News

Arcadia, CA (March 4, 2006) - Brother Derek remained the top gun in the west in the 3-year-old colt division with an impressive win in the Santa Catalina Stakes (GII) at Santa Anita today as the heavy 2-5 favorite.

Owned by Cecil N. Peacock and trained by Dan Hendricks, Brother Derek, with Alex Solis in the saddle, broke alertly and was content to track on the outside of the early pacesetters Mister Triester and Latent Heat going down the backstretch. Brother Derek was moving very comfortably going into the far turn, and when called upon, had plenty in reserve to take the lead in upper stretch to draw clear for a 1-3/4 length winning margin. The final time for the 1-1/16 miles was a solid 1:42.96 on a rain-influenced track listed as fast.

"He does whatever it takes to get the job done. He's just a little professional." I'm just ready to go on after having this race under his belt and now were ready to go to the Derby. It worked out really good. We had him a little fresh by not doing as much work. I'd say I had him cranked about 90 percent and that's why he was a little fresh, but that's what we wanted to do and it worked out perfect," said trainer Dan Hendricks.

The Derby Hendricks was referring to is the $750,000 Santa Anita Derby (GI) to be run on April 8, 2006, considered the final stepping stone for Brother Derek's ultimate goal: the Kentucky Derby on the first Saturday in May.

Hendricks has been training on his own since 1987, after spending nine years as assistant to Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella ,and has won nearly 70 stakes races, including almost 30 of them graded. This was his first win in The Santa Catalina. Hendricks has been confined to a wheel chair since being paralyzed from the waist down in a freak motor-cross accident on July 7, 2004 after a jump that Hendricks himself said he had successfully made a 100 times in the past.

Brother Derek's rider Alex Solis added, "What a pro he is. He broke real sharp and placed himself. Right before the turn, I just wanted to let the other horse (Latent Heat) go. All that worked out well. We wanted to get him to relax a little bit more. He can do it. It's not like he's a real rank horse. Today, though, he was a little bit feisty. He was a little excited before the race. Anyway, when he got the backside, he settled fine. He really won it very easy. I wasn't using him that much. We wanted to make sure we didn't do him in before the Kentucky Derby, if we get to that point. The best thing today I thought was when we got back to the winner's circle, Dan (Hendricks) said he is only 90 percent. If he was only 90 percent, that's mighty exciting. We just pray he stays healthy and keeps moving forward."

The victory was Brother Derek's fifth win in seven starts and his fourth in a graded stakes and brought his career earnings to $712,080.

Sacred Light came running late to earn second money while never threatening the winner. Latent Heat held on for third after pressing the early pace in his first attempt around two turns.

Brother Derek paid $3.00, $2.80 and $2.10. Sacred Light, ridden by Aaron Gryder, returned $6.80 and $2.10, Latent Heat with Patrick Valenzuela aboard, for trainer Bobby Frankel, paid $2.10 to show.

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