02/22/2011 4:04PM

The Factor may try two turns in Sunland Derby

By Jay Privman
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Benoit & Associates
The speedy sprinter The Factor may attempt to stretch out in the Sunland Derby.

Trainer Bob Baffert on Tuesday said that The Factor, who sped to victory in the seven-furlong San Vicente Stakes on Sunday at Santa Anita, would likely make his first start around two turns in the Grade 3, $800,000 Sunland Derby on March 27.

“Speed is gold there,” Baffert said.

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That 1 1/8-mile race is more than a month away, though, so there is plenty of time for Baffert to reconsider. Baffert and co-owner George Bolton have both said they will be prudent in terms of taking steps toward the Kentucky Derby with a colt who is blazingly fast, but might not be best suited to running 1 1/4 miles. To get in the Derby field, The Factor will likely need to add to the $90,000 in graded earnings he currently possesses.

Baffert finished second in last year’s Sunland Derby with Conveyance.

Jaycito, idle since last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, is being pointed by Baffert to the San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita on March 12.