Arkansas Derby more likely for Den's Legacy; Super Ninety Nine probable for Santa Anita Derby

ARCADIA, Calif. – Den’s Legacy, who finished third in the Rebel Stakes on Saturday, could return to Oaklawn Park next month for the Arkansas Derby, while Super Ninety Nine, who finished fifth as the 6-5 favorite, likely will head to the Santa Anita Derby, their trainer Bob Baffert, said Monday morning at Santa Anita.

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

Den’s Legacy emerged from the race with an elongated scrape above his right hock, which Baffert said appeared to happen when Den’s Legacy was stepped on from behind going into the first turn. He was sent a photo of the injury by his assistant, Jim Barnes, who saddled both runners on Saturday at Oaklawn.

“He’s a tough S.O.B.,” Baffert said of Den’s Legacy, who was second in the Robert Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita in his prior start.

Super Ninety Nine had won two straight going two turns, including in the Southwest at Oaklawn, but he faded in the stretch of the Rebel.

“That track was too deep for him,” Baffert said.

Trainer Ron Ellis offered a similar excuse for Treasury Bill, who finished eighth under Joe Talamo.

"Joe said he felt like he was running in quicksand," Ellis said Monday from his barn at Betfair Hollywood Park. "It was a different track from what I've run on there in the past. I'm not complaining. It was safe. It just wasn't for him."

Ellis said Treasury Bill "came out of the race fine," but that no plans would be formulated until Treasury Bill returns from Arkansas on Wednesday. Super Ninety Nine and Den's Legacy are scheduled to be on the same flight.

Will Take Charge, the Rebel winner, completed 1 1/16 miles on a track rated fast in 1:45.18.