Santa Anita: Demonic still possible for Santa Anita Derby

Shigeki Kikkawa

Demonic, who will miss the San Felipe Stakes with a bruised foot, still is a candidate for the April 6 Santa Anita Derby.

Demonic, who missed a scheduled start in Saturday’s $300,000 San Felipe Stakes because of a bruised foot, worked a half-mile in 48 seconds at Hollywood Park on Friday.

The workout was the fastest of 14 recorded works at the distance, leaving trainer John Sadler hopeful that Demonic can start in April, possibly in the $750,000 Santa Anita Derby on April 6.

“We have a couple of weeks to get back to where we want,” Sadler said. “We’ll learn a lot more in the next couple of weeks.”

Owned by Lee and Susan Searing, Demonic won his only start, a seven-furlong maiden race here Jan. 13.

[ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY: Prep races, point standings, replays]

Examen showing promise

Examen, a 3-year-old gelding by Giant’s Causeway, won his second consecutive race in an optional claimer over a mile on a wet-fast main track in Thursday’s seventh race.

Ridden by Garrett Gomez, Examen ($5.40) stalked the pace to the turn, took the lead in early stretch and won by 3 1/4 lengths in 1:37.38. Despite the win, trainer Tom Proctor said he has no ambitious plans for Examen, who is a May foal.

“He won’t be 3 for another [two] months,” Proctor said. “I think he’ll get a little better as he gets older. I think he might be a nice horse.”

Asked about the Santa Anita Derby, Proctor said, “That [race] is a cooker.”

Owned by Heider Family Stables, Examen won a maiden race on turf in his 2013 debut Feb. 9.

I’m Not Gray finished fourth as the 6-5 favorite behind Examen. I’m Not Gray, a colt by Belgravia, was claimed for $80,000 by Peter Redekop and trainer Ted H. West.

West said Friday that I’m Not Gray is a long-term candidate for the $150,000 British Columbia Derby at Hastings Park on Sept. 8.