Baffert Santa Anita

Bob Baffert with his son, Bode. Photo credit: Santa Anita

Every day, we scour the work tabs at racetracks and training facilities all over North America. We are searching for those horses that appear to be peaking at just the right time and may be sitting on a top performance in the afternoons. Some of the horses that we watch and track, you will know. Others, though, you may not recognize — yet. Here is a closer look at some of today’s morning glories:

  1. Justify, the man-child / world-beater from the barn of Bob Baffert, is now being pointed to a showdown with Bolt d’Oro in the upcoming Santa Anita Derby this weekend. The son of Scat Daddy — who just so happens to be the same sire of the “new” horse Mendelssohn, as well — breezed this morning at Santa Anita for Team Bob and went 6 furlongs over the dirt surface in 1:13.20 handily. That was the second best time out of 8 to go the distance. Afterwards, Baffert informed some of the media on hand to view the work, including “The Daily Racing Form” correspondents that he was now keeping the undefeated colt at “home” in California and would point to the Santa Anita Derby. McKinzie, who was scheduled to renew his showdown with “The Bolt” in the Santa Anita Derby, is on the mend from some undiagnosed malady to a hind leg, perhaps in the “hock” area. His status for the Kentucky Derby, in fact, may now be in doubt.
  2. Solomini, who now seams pointed to the Arkansas Derby for Team Bob, worked this morning at “The Great Race Place,” as well. He went 5-furlongs in a brisk :59.80, which was the 2nd best time out of 82 to try this distance. The well-bred son of Curlin is coming off a second place finish to Magnum Moon in the G2 Rebel Stakes. In that one, jockey Flavien Prat had Solomini trapped along the rail for much of the trip, and he didn’t get a fair shot at the winner.
  3. Bravazo, who won the Risen Star Stakes at the Fair Grounds before encountering some “steering” issues in the debacle of a Louisiana Derby run for him, was back in training at Oaklawn Park for trainer D. Wayne Lukas today. He went a half mile in an easy :48.60, which was the 4th best time out of 13 to go the distance. All looked good for this one, who still is being pointed to the Kentucky Derby.
  4. Sporting Chance, winner of the G1 Hopeful Stakes last year before running 3rd in the G3 Southwest Stakes and 5th in the G2 Rebel Stakes, worked for Coach Lukas this morning in Hot Springs, ARK., as well. The son of Tiznow went a half mile in :48.40, which was the 3rd best time out of the 15 to go that far. This guy is a bit quirky, but can run when he is on his “A” game.