Derby News

ARCADIA, CALIF. (March 16, 2006) - Stonerside Stable's Bob and John leads a field of nine promising three-year-old colts in Saturday's 1-1/16-miles Gr. II San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita.

Bob and John has won two straight in facile fashion, including a 4 ½ length score most recently in the 1 1/8-miles Grade 3 Sham Stakes on February 4. The San Felipe is the last major prep for the Santa Anita Derby to be run on April 8, which we will likely see the return of leading Kentucky Derby candidate, Brother Derek, the winner of the Santa Catalina Stakes two weeks ago.

Trained by three-time Kentucky Derby winning trainer Bob Baffert, Bob and John has won three of seven career starts and never finished worse than fourth, with earnings of $200,070. The son of Seeking the Gold has trained forwardly since his victory in the Sham, but the forecast for weekend rains has Baffert worried.

"The weather concerns me," Baffert said. "I hope the track isn't too hard," referring to the practice of sealing the track with the threat of rain in the forecast.

"Every work, every race, your on pins and needles this time of year from here on out," said Baffert, who has entered three horses in the San Felipe.

Baffert also is sending out recent Golden Gate allowance winner Point Determined, who has won two of four starts, but faces graded stakes company for the first time. Point Determined is by horse of the year and 3-year-old champion, Point Given, who has sired two crops of foals to date, which includes several stakes placed runners.

"He just cruised around there and didn't have to run very hard," Baffert said, referring to Point Determined's win in Northern California. "It was a good experience. He had to ship there and he was wide the whole way."

Sky Diving is the third entrant Baffert puts into the mix. Sky Diving was second in the Turf Paradise Derby in his last start and seems least likely of the three Baffert trainees to make a name for himself in the San Felipe.

Another contender is Refinery, owned by B. Wayne Hughes and trained by Hall of Fame conditioner, Richard Mandella. Refinery comes into the San Felipe with a win over solid allowance company racing a mile over the Santa Anita oval and having won two of five career starts. Refinery appears to be an improving colt and responded nicely with the addition of blinkers in his last start.

"I think it made quite a difference," said Mandella, "He's a colt with a lot of talent but a lot of times in his works and his races we didn't think he was giving 100 percent. The addition of blinkers made him focus, made him more serious."

New Joysey Jeff is another interesting possibility with the abundance of early speed in the race. The son of Bright Launch was third in the seven furlong Grade 2 San Vicente and a close second behind Refinery in his latest start despite a troubled trip going a mile. His come from behind running style should be an asset, and he will likely benefit from the additional distance of the San Felipe.

Racketeer, trained by Bobby Frankel, stirs some interest. The bay colt, by Awesome Again out of a stakes-winning mare, tries two turns for the first time and is certainly bred to relish the additional distance as well as a muddy track.

All runners with the exception of Bob and John will carry 116 lbs. Bob and John will carry 122. The complete field from the rail, out with riders are: Point Determined (Garret Gomez); Racketeer (Patrick Valenzuela); A. P. Warrior (Corey Nakatani; Refinery (Tyler Baze); Bob and John (Victor Espinoza); New Jorsey Jeff (Alex Solis); Blazing Sunset (Felipe Martinez); Sky Diving (David Flores); Simon Pure (Jon Court).

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