Derby Hopeful Cezanne Odds-On in Los Alamitos Allowance

Before Los Alamitos Race Course stages its official prep on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, the $150,000 Los Alamitos Derby (G3) July 4, the fifth race there July 2 acts as an unofficial one.

The $45,000 race, a two-turn dirt race at a mile for allowance optional claiming runners, attracted Cezanne, a horse already backed by bettors for the Sept. 5 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) at Churchill Downs. Despite having only won a maiden race, his debut June 6 at Santa Anita Park, he closed as the 19-1 sixth individual choice in the betting that closed June 28 for the Kentucky Derby Future Wager.

That was not the only market in which he has been well received. A son of two-time Horse of the Year Curlin , Cezanne fetched $3.65 million at public auction last year when consigned by Crupi's New Castle Farm to The Gulfstream Sale, Fasig-Tipton's select sale of 2-year-olds in training. Bloodstock agents Donato Lanni and Jamie McCalmont, acting on behalf of M.V. Magnier, signed for his purchase.

He races for Coolmore Stud principals Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith, as well as Vinnie Viola's St. Elias Stable, which bred him in partnership with Hill 'n' Dale Equine Holdings in Kentucky.

Cezanne's seven-figure sales price and fast works for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert meant he was no secret in his debut. Backed at 2-5 odds, he settled just off the pace early, was sent between foes entering the turn, and pulled away for a 2 1/4-length victory. He raced 6 1/2 furlongs on a fast track in 1:16.13 under Flavien Prat.

"He showed a lot of grit, running between horses," Baffert said. "The track was real deep; it was real muggy that day. He really needed it. He's a big, strong, strapping horse, but he handled it well."

Baffert said his original plan was to run Cezanne in an upcoming race at seven furlongs at Del Mar, but he liked the opportunity to run his colt two turns, leaving him potentially ready for a stakes race afterward.

Cezanne could be an even shorter favorite Thursday than he was in his debut. Three entries—Itsthattime, Never Easy, and Mongolian Legend—have raced in claiming races this year, and his other foe, Bronn, is an uncoupled stablemate who hasn't run since winning a maiden race at Los Alamitos in September.

With several opponents possessing speed and Cezanne drawn outside, an opportunity to rate and finish might unfold.

"I'm excited about it. I'm looking forward to it," Baffert said of routing Cezanne for the first time. "We'll see what he's made of."

Prat will return in the irons aboard the 3-year-old, a half brother to group 1-placed stakes winner Arabian Hope (by Distorted Humor ) and a three-quarters brother to stakes winner Counterforce (by Smart Strike). Cezanne is out of the winning Bernardini  mare Achieving.