Derby News

ARCADIA, Calif. (April 8, 2006) - It's off to Louisville for Brother Derek to take on all challengers in the 132nd running of the Kentucky Derby on May 6 after proving today he is clearly the best in the west with a convincing win in the 69th running of the $750,000 Santa Anita Derby (GI).

Brother Derek broke well in the field of five, took the lead into the clubhouse turn and opened up a 3 ˝ lengths going down the backside under a snug hold by regular rider Alex Solis. He then was asked to pick up the pace leaving the three furlong marker after A. P. Warrior and Point Determined turned up the heat to close within a length of the leader. Brother Derek responded well in seemingly effortless fashion to secure the lead at the top of the stretch and draw clear of his four challengers in deep stretch to win by 3 1/4 lengths while being taken in hand the final strides.

As in a script written for Hollywood, Brother Derek owned by Canadian oilman, Cecil Peacock, ridden by Alex Solis and trained by wheelchair bound Dan Hendricks, who survived a horrific motorcycle accident 18 months ago.. All three have survived the biggest punches life has thrown at them and propelled themselves into the spotlight as the connections of the 2006 Kentucky Derby favorite.

Hendricks, 47, was paralyzed in a freak motor-cross accident on July 7, 2004 and returned to work within six weeks to resume training full time at Del Mar. Hendricks' heart is as big as his protégé's, Brother Derek. Talking with Hendricks is inspirational to say the least and his upbeat personality always brings a smile. It's the type of feel-good story that's made for the big screen. But this true-life story is about courage, heart, grit and stamina for horse, jockey and trainer. They seem perfectly matched to pose for a picture in the winner's circle on the first Saturday in May in the Run for the Roses.

Joking, Hendricks said, "I wrote the script last night and it worked out right. It was super. He did what he needed to do and relaxed going 1-1/8-miles. We're headed to Kentucky and we're going to have some fun with it."

When asked if Brother Derek deserved to be the favorite for the Kentucky Derby. Hendricks responded, "That's up to the betters to decide. Anything can happen in a twenty horse field. He's a good horse and he ran race horse time." Referring to the final time of 1:48 for the Santa Anita Derby and covering the final 3/8's of a mile in 36 4/5 seconds.

Winning rider Alex Solis added, "He came out of the gate like a cat. Very smooth and within a 100 yards he settled and I decided to let him run a little more than usual early. Coming to the 1/4 pole he sensed those horses closing in on him and just took off and found another gear inside the 1/8 pole.

Point Determined was second with San Felipe (GII) winner A.P. Warrior finishing a distant third. Sacred Light lost all chance at the start after dropping to his nose, with jockey Aaron Gryder doing a remarkable job just to stay on his mount after the mishap. Sacred Light edged longshot Wildfang for fourth in the field of five runners.

The victory was the sixth win from eight starts for the son of Benchmark and the $450,000 first place check made Brother Derek the newest member of the million dollar club, bringing his career earnings to $1,162,080.

The early fractions were 23.60, 47.59, 1:11.21, 1:35.39 on the way to a final time of 1:48.00 over a slightly dull track listed as fast.

Brother Derek paid $3.00, $2.40 and $2.10, Point Determined, Rafael Bejarano up, paid $2.80, $2.10 and A.P. Warrior, with Corey Nakatani, paid $2.10 to show.

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