Favorites Post Workouts for Santa Anita Derby
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California Chrome and Candy Boy, who figure to be the top two betting choices in the Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) at Santa Anita Park, had their penultimate workouts March 22 for the $1 million race.
California Chrome went a half-mile at his Los Alamitos headquarters and Candy Boy worked six furlongs at Santa Anita. The two colts are being pointed toward the 1 1/8-mile test April 5, the West Coast's leading prep for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).
California-bred California Chrome, winner of three straight stakes including the March 8 San Felipe (gr. II), covered four furlongs under regular rider Victor Espinoza in :47 2/5. Meanwhile, over at Santa Anita, Robert B. Lewis Stakes (gr. II) winner Candy Boy went in company and was clocked in 1:12 4/5 under Hall of Fame rider Gary Stevens.
"Very good" is how trainer Art Sherman termed California Chrome's move. "I got him galloping out (five furlongs) in 1:00 2/5. He was not wearing blinkers, because I didn't want him to work too fast, but he'll wear them in the Santa Anita Derby.
"He'll have one more half-mile work next Saturday (March 29) and ship to Santa Anita five days before the race."
"Very nice," trainer John Sadler said of Candy Boy's move. "He'll have one more work before the Santa Anita Derby and we're ready to go."
Stevens, who will be seeking to add to his record nine victories in the Santa Anita Derby, called Candy Boy's work "solid."
Maiden winner Big Tire, a candidate for the Santa Anita Derby, worked five furlongs at Santa Anita in 1:01 2/5 for Mark Glatt.