Honor A. P. on Target for Santa Anita Derby June 6

Following a comeback second in the San Felipe Stakes (G2) by Honor A. P. March 7 behind undefeated Authentic, a rematch with that rival appears to loom in the $400,000 Santa Anita Derby (G1) June 6.

When COVID-19 put racing on hold at Santa Anita Park for more than seven weeks, it was back to square one for the John Shirreffs-trained son of Honor Code . It delayed the second meeting of the colts because the Santa Anita Derby was rescheduled from its original April 4 date.

The Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) at Churchill Downs is even further on the horizon, pushed back until Sept. 5.

"We're back to where we were before the San Felipe," Shirreffs said, alluding to the five-month gap since Honor A.P.'s prior race, a maiden allowance test at a mile last Oct. 13, which he won on the lead by 5 ¼ lengths under Mike Smith. The Hall of Fame jockey has been aboard Honor A.P. in each of his three races and will be on again in the Santa Anita Derby. At 1 1/8 miles, the Santa Anita Derby will be the longest race of the Honor A. P.'s career, surpassing the 1 1/16-mile San Felipe

"He looks really good and he's been training very well," Shirreffs said May 13.

Shirreffs hopes for a better outcome in the Santa Anita Derby against the speedy Authentic, one of three undefeated 3-year-olds trained by Bob Baffert, the others being Arkansas Derby (G1) divisional winners Charlatan and Nadal. 

"Authentic went to the lead (in the San Felipe) and dictated the pace pretty much all the way," Shirreffs said. "Since we weren't racing here, I kind of backed off Honor A.P. a bit and didn't work him too hard, but right now he's training strong and I think he's going to come into the Santa Anita Derby really well."

The Santa Anita Derby provides qualifying points toward the Kentucky Derby on a 100-40-20-10 scale to its top four finishers. 

Honor A. P. is currently 24th with 20 points and Authentic is eighth with 60 points. Nadal leads with 150.

Another popular runner for Shirreffs, Hard Not to Love, the one-eyed wonder filly that captured the La Brea Stakes (G1) and the Santa Monica Stakes (G2), both at seven furlongs, is likely to stretch out for the Santa Maria Stakes (G2) at 1 1/16 miles May 31.

"We're still hoping with her pedigree that she can do two turns," Shirreffs said. "We want to avoid sprinting as much as possible."

Most recently, the daughter of Hard Spun  out of the Vindication mare Loving Vindication was second in the March 14 Beholder Mile (G1) at Santa Anita to Ce Ce, return winner of the Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) at Oaklawn Park.