Honor A. P., Authentic Eye Rematch in Santa Anita Derby

Honor A. P., who stamped himself a leading contender for the April 4 Santa Anita Derby (G1) with a runner-up finish in the San Felipe Stakes (G2), continues to train well toward Santa Anita Park's marquee 3-year-old event, according to trainer John Shirreffs.

The Honor Code  ridgling worked five furlongs in 1:00 flat March 22 at Santa Anita. The move was his second work back since the March 7 San Felipe.

"He came out of the San Felipe really well," Shirreffs said. "We're pointing for the Santa Anita Derby."

Honor A. P. broke his maiden second time out in October for owner C R K Stable, which purchased him for $850,000 at The Saratoga Sale, Fasig-Tipton's select yearling sale in New York. Next out in the San Felipe, he made a move from fourth under jockey Mike Smith, turned three wide, and chased frontrunning Authentic to finish second.

Shirreffs was pleased, considering Honor A. P. had not raced in five months.

"He ran really great," the trainer said. "I was very happy with him."

Authentic, too, is set to run in the Santa Anita Derby, thus forming the likelihood of an appealing rematch. Trainer Bob Baffert named the Santa Anita Derby as the next target for the Into Mischief  colt following a 2 1/4-length victory under Drayden Van Dyke in the San Felipe.

Authentic, who also won the Jan. 4 Sham Stakes (G3), is undefeated in three starts. The colt campaigned by SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Frederick Hertrich III, John Fielding, and Golconda Stables had his first work since the San Felipe on March 21, traveling five furlongs in 1:01 4/5.

Santa Anita continues to race without spectators due to COVID-19. Though the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) has been postponed to Sept. 5, the Santa Anita Derby will still offer qualifying points on a 100-40-20-10 scale to the top four finishers.