Baffert Steers McKinzie Toward Pennsylvania Derby

Trainer Bob Baffert said grade 1 winner McKinzie, who worked Aug. 12 at Del Mar, is making good progress on the comeback trail in 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, when 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 three modest, timed works at Del Mar, where he covered three furlongs in :37 3/5 Aug. 1, four furlongs in :48 4/5 Aug. 6, and five furlongs in 1:01 2/5 Sunday.

"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 and 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

Before that, McKinzie reeled off wins in the Sham Stakes (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 .