Rock Your World to Bring Sadler Back to Churchill Downs

Rock Your World  was on the wash rack at 7:30 a.m. PT April 4 at Santa Anita Park, cleaning up as readily as he dusted off eight rivals in the Runhappy Santa Anita Derby (G1) a day earlier.

Trained by John Sadler for owners Kosta and Peter Hronis and Talla Racing, and bred by Hall of Fame trainer Ron McAnally and his wife, Debbie, Rock Your World went to the front and never looked back, winning by 4 1/4 lengths.

Rock Your World earned 100 Kentucky Derby qualifying points, enough to guarantee a spot in the May 1 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) at Churchill Downs. He'll attempt to become the 20th horse to run in the Santa Anita Derby and go on to capture the Run for the Roses. 

Four Santa Anita Derby participants have won the Derby since 2012, including Authentic   in last year's COVID-19 postponed Kentucky Derby. He had been second in the Santa Anita Derby months earlier.

"We're still enjoying this win," Sadler said. "This is Easter Sunday, so Monday we'll look at the calendar (for an itinerary), but he would have a traditional California pattern where we'll train here and go to Kentucky the week of the race."

The Santa Anita Derby was Rock Your World's first race on dirt after two victories on turf, but Sadler always seemed confident the Candy Ride   colt would make a successful transition to the main track.

"You're hoping, but it's one of those things, you don't know until you do it," said Sadler, who is seeking his first Kentucky Derby win. "We're thrilled the way things worked out.

"I've never won the Derby, but last time I was there (at Churchill Downs) we won the (Longines) Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) (in 2018 with Accelerate  ), so I'm looking forward to going back to Louisville.

"We've run four horses in the Kentucky Derby before but haven't won."

Sadler's best finish in the Kentucky Derby was a sixth from Corby  in 1993. His last Derby starter came in 2013 with Candy Boy , who ran 13th.

Two-time Italian riding champion Umberto Rispoli earned his first grade 1 victory in the United States when he piloted Rock Your World in the Santa Anita Derby.

"Umberto has been a great addition to our jockey colony. … I was kind of shocked hearing this was his first grade 1 win here," Sadler said. "He did so well last year I thought he would have picked up one already. He's a good kid, very competitive."

Zedan Racing Stables' Santa Anita Derby runner-up Medina Spirit  came out of the race in good order and will attempt to give trainer Bob Baffert a record seventh Kentucky Derby win.

"He ran a game race like he always does," Baffert said. "The winner was very impressive, but our horse showed up, he ran his race, he came out of it well, and we've got four weeks to sharpen him up.

"He'll be right there. He's always going to be tough; he tries hard all the time."

in the Santa Anita Derby, Baffert also started Michael Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman's maiden sprint winner Defunded , who rallied from last to finish fourth.

"He got real tired towards the end," Baffert said. "He wasn't ready for something like that but we had to take a chance at it. I don't know where I'll run him next."

Gamely Possible for Charmaine's Mia

On the undercard Saturday, Agave Racing Stable and Rockin Robin Racing Stable's Charmaine's Mia won her third consecutive race in the Royal Heroine Stakes (G2T).

Trainer Phil D'Amato is now looking at the May 31 Gamely Stakes (G1T) for the 5-year-old The Factor   mare. The 1 1/8-mile Gamely would stretch out Charmaine's Mia beyond a mile for the first time.

"I would say right now we'll kind of play it by ear, but the Gamely would definitely be a possibility," said D'Amato.

"It's a grade 1 and we're looking to get a G1 on her résumé. She's just in a zone right now. I think one race has fed off the other to where her confidence keeps growing.

"(Jockey) Flavien (Prat) said you can tell she's good. When Dogtag  came to her, she spurted away again. Flavien said she really wanted it, so when they're in a zone like that, they're tough.

"One thing about her, she's always fast out of the gate. She got a great trip but it wasn't like she was going easy fractions. She went :22 and change, :46 flat.

"They're racehorse fractions, and she got a masterful ride from Flavien, as always."