Who is Kentucky Derby contender Midnight Interlude?
Midnight Interlude, coming off a victory against maidens, outran eight other rivals to capture the Santa Anita Derby and earn a trip to the Kentucky Derby. (Benoit Photo)
A relative unknown before Saturday's Santa Anita Derby, Midnight Interlude is now attempting to become the first horse to win the Kentucky Derby without racing as a 2-year-old since Apollo in 1882. Here's a look not-so-far back on the the colt's young career.
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| DEBUT RACE Midnight Interlude's debut was described as an intriguing maiden special weight race for 3-year-olds by Daily Racing Form's Steve Andersen: "Baffert starts Tokubetsu ... and Midnight Interlude, a first-time starter by War Chant. Midnight Interlude is owned by breeder Arnold Zetcher and has shown quick works, including two from the gate, in recent weeks." |
| STRETCHES OUT, LOSES DUEL Soon after being named one of 364 early 2011 Triple Crown nominees, Midnight Interlude lost a fast-paced route to the unnominated Red Sharp Humor. As Steve Anderson wrote: "Midnight Interlude ran a respectable second in his second start and first race around two turns." |
| RUNAWAY MAIDEN WIN Steve Grabowski described Midnight Interlude's maiden win, and later workouts, in the Closer Look section of DRF's 2011 Santa Anita Derby PPs: "...looked pretty good running away from an overmatched bunch of maidens and he sizzled through 3/4s here on Monday for an outfit that works them fast; his lick figures to be on display from this draw, but he'll get a pretty tough class test and after his early efforts it wouldn't be a surprise if he had little left to offer in the drive." |
| SANTA ANITA DERBY He grew up in a hurry," trainer Bob Baffert said. "His work was really brilliant this week." |
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