Honor A. P. Throws Hat in Kentucky Derby Ring

There's a new sheriff in town on the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) trail, and his name is John Shirreffs, best known as conditioner of the memorable mare Zenyatta and for sending out Giacomo to post a 50-1 upset in the 2005 Kentucky Derby.

Now the former Marine, who turned 75 June 1, is front and center awaiting the Run for the Roses in September after Honor A. P. posted an authoritative 2 3/4-length victory in the June 6 Runhappy Santa Anita Derby (G1) at Santa Anita Park.

"He looks good this morning," Shirreffs said early Sunday. "It's always a surprise when they run like he ran because no matter how they look in the mornings or how they're training, they have to perform in the afternoon.

"It was very gratifying to see him run that well. … It was really exciting. Everybody at the barn is really joyful. He got 100 (Kentucky Derby qualifying) points for the win, so it puts us in a good position."

While plans leading to the Kentucky Derby are not etched in stone, from a timing and competition perspective, the Aug. 1 Shared Belief Stakes at Del Mar would seem a logical next option for the son of Honor Code , a ridgling owned by Lee and Susan Searing's C R K Stable.

"It's certainly under consideration," Shirreffs said of the 1 1/16-mile test.

Meanwhile, Bob Baffert, who seemingly a heartbeat ago had three undefeated Derby contenders so good he "couldn't say which one was better," has lost two for the historic 1 1/4-mile classic.

Nadal has been retired, and Charlatan is sidelined with an ankle injury. Authentic finished second in the Santa Anita Derby after breaking from the outside post and an unfavorable pace scenario.