Medina Spirit Drills Half-Mile for Santa Anita Derby
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Photo: Zoe Metz
Medina Spirit works March 28 at Santa Anita Park
Medina Spirit , twice runner-up to Life Is Good , worked a half-mile March 28 in :48 as he prepares to deputize for his undefeated but sidelined stablemate in the April 3 Runhappy Santa Anita Derby (G1) at Santa Anita Park.
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"He went very nice (under jockey Juan Ochoa)," said trainer Bob Baffert, who is seeking to add to his record of nine Santa Anita Derby victories.
Zedan Racing Stables' Medina Spirit began his 3-year-old campaign with a second in the Sham Stakes (G3), finishing less than a length behind Life Is Good, before notching a front-running score in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3), in which he defeated March 20 Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) winner Hot Rod Charlie . In his last start, the Protonico colt again played second fiddle to Life Is Good in the March 6 San Felipe Stakes (G2).
Medina Spirit heads out to the track before his breeze at Santa Anita Park
Life Is Good was a leading contender for the May 1 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) before a small chip in his left hind ankle was detected following a March 20 work, forcing him off the Triple Crown trail. He underwent surgery by Dr. Larry Bramlage at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington to remove the chip Friday.
"The surgery went well," Baffert said. "I received great reports on it. It was minor, so that was good, and he should be back (racing) a lot sooner than we thought he would."
On Sunday Baffert also worked Hozier , runner-up to unbeaten stablemate Concert Tour in the March 13 Rebel Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn Park, five furlongs in 1:00 4/5; Charlatan , runner-up to March 27 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) victor Mishriff in the Feb. 20 Saudi Cup, a half-mile in :48; and champion female sprinter Gamine five furlongs in :59 3/5.
Charlatan is scheduled to run in the Churchill Downs Stakes Presented by Ford (G1) on Derby Day. Gamine is also pointing for a start on the Kentucky Derby undercard in the Derby City Distaff (G1).
Also working Sunday for the Santa Anita Derby was Hronis Racing and David Michael Talla's Rock Your World . The John Sadler trainee covered five furlongs in :59 1/5, the fastest time from 76 works at the distance. Rock Your World is unbeaten in two starts on the Santa Anita turf—a Jan. 1 maiden special weight and the Feb. 27 Pasadena Stakes.