Geaux Rocket Ride Out of Santa Anita Derby
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Photo: Benoit Photo
Geaux Rocket Ride breaks his maiden at Santa Anita Park
Richard Mandella trainee Geaux Rocket Ride has been scratched from the April 8 Santa Anita Derby (G1) at Santa Anita Park due to a slight fever. The news was first reported on Twitter by FanDuel TV's Joaquin Jaime.
Major scratch to announce in the @santaanitapark Derby.
Geaux Rocket Ride (3-1 ML) came down with a slight temperature according to @MandellaGary and will not run today for HOF Richard Mandella.— Joaquin Jaime (@JoaquinJaime_) April 8, 2023
The 3-year-old son of Candy Ride had been the second favorite at morning-line odds of 3-1 behind Tim Yakteen trainee Practical Move . Campaigned by Pin Oak Stud, Geaux Rocket Ride began his career with an impressive 5 3/4-length win in a Jan. 29 maiden special weight race at Santa Anita and has earnings of $120,200 from his two starts.
The colt was looking to put additional points onto the Road to the Kentucky Derby Leaderboard after his runner-up finish last out in the San Felipe Stakes (G2) behind Practical Move at Santa Anita, where he collected 20 qualifying points.
His scratch from the Santa Anita Derby could also keep him out of the May 6 Kentucky Derby (G1), as he ranks 29th on the Kentucky Derby Leaderboard heading into racing on Saturday. Churchill Downs officials use qualifying points as a preference system when the Derby draws beyond its capacity field size of 20 horses.
The Santa Anita Derby offers points on a 100-40-30-20-10 scale to the first-five finishers. The 1 1/8 mile race worth $750,000 has a post time of 2:43 PT.
Other entrants include National Treasure , Skinner , Mandarin Hero , I Don't Get It , Low Expectations , Dazzlemesilver , and One in Vermillion .