Baffert Steering McKinzie Toward Pennsylvania Derby

Trainer Bob Baffert says grade 1 winner McKinzie is making good progress on the comeback trail and will work Aug. 12 at Del Mar in continued preparation for an anticipated start in the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (G1) Sept. 22 at Parx Racing.

"I'm trying to get him ready for Parx and there's a good chance I might be able to do it, hopefully," Baffert said.

McKinzie has not raced since March 10, as he was diagnosed with a leg injury following his disqualification from first to second in a rough-and-tumble edition of the San Felipe Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita Park.

BALAN: McKinzie to Miss Santa Anita Derby

Since then he has put in two modest timed works at Del Mar, where he covered four furlongs in :48. 4/5 Aug. 6 and three furlongs in :37 3/5 Aug. 1.

"He's coming around quickly. It doesn't take much to get him going. He's had all those races," Baffert said.

McKinzie was named in memory of the late Brad McKinzie, a Los Alamitos Race Course executive who had been a longtime friend of Baffert.

Purchased for $170,000 at the 2016 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, McKinzie is owned by Karl Watson, Mike Pegram, and Paul Weitman. Bred in Kentucky by Summer Wind Farm, the son of Street Sense  out of Runway Model, a Petionville mare, suffered a controversial first loss in the San Felipe, when he finished a head in front of Bolt d'Oro but was dropped to second by the stewards for bumping his rival during the tumultuous final furlongs of the race.

BALAN: Bolt d'Oro Defeats McKinzie Via DQ in San Felipe

Prior to that McKinzie reeled off wins in the Sham (G3), Los Alamitos Cash Call Futurity (G1), and a Santa Anita maiden race. His earnings stand at $350,000 through four races.

Baffert will be seeking his third win in the Pennsylvania Derby. He captured it last year with West Coast and in 2014 with Bayern .