Derby News

Great Hunter showed he is going to be a force to be reckoned with after his 1-¼ length win in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (GII) at Santa Anita Saturday.

The Lewis was his first start since the Breeders' Cup last November, and his trainer Doug O'Neill admitted prior to the race that he wasn't sure his colt was 100% fit.
However, the son of Aptitude looked very impressive as he closed from near the back of the nine-horse field to win going away, and galloping out strongly past the wire.

Sent off at 4-5, Great Hunter was allowed to settle several paths off the rail by regular rider Corey Nakatani, while Saint Paul, making his first start for Bob Baffert, and longshot Scat Thief were battling on the lead. The top two stayed fairly close for the first six furlongs in a solid 1:11 1/5. At that point, though, Great Hunter began his big move, going four wide. He was on the lead in very short order, drifting in a bit in the stretch, but otherwise getting home without incident. Sam P., another from the seemingly endless supply of Todd Pletcher's barn, was never too far back and ran on well to be second, 2 ¼ lengths clear of third place finisher Saint Paul.

Fourth place finisher Boutrous was right with Great Hunter early, but didn't have the same kick as the winner. The order of finish was completed by French Transition, Scat Thief, Tiago, Hurry Up Austin and Tap It Light. The final time for the 1 1/16 miles was 1:42.89.

Great Hunter is one of several good 3-year-olds owned by J. Paul Reddam and trained by O'Neill. The pair also have Liquidity, Notional and Cobalt Blue on the Derby trail.

Great Hunter will now be pointed to the Blue Grass (GI) at Keeneland, where he won the Breeders' Futurity (GI) last autumn.

The favorite paid $3.80, $2.60 and $2.20. Sam P. returned $4.60 and $3.40, with Saint Paul worth $3.20 to show.

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