Baffert will run Irish Freedom but not West Coast in Santa Anita Derby

ARCADIA, Calif. – Irish Freedom is in, while West Coast is off the list of probable starters for Saturday’s Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby.

Trainer Bob Baffert said on Wednesday that he plans to have three runners in the $1 million Santa Anita Derby – American Anthem, Irish Freedom, and Reach the World. West Coast was considered a candidate as recently as last weekend.

Baffert said he would prefer to give West Coast an easier race for his next start instead of pursuing the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 6.

“He’s not quite ready for that,” Baffert said. “We’re looking to get to the [Kentucky] Derby but with a horse that’s ready for it. Maybe he can run in the Preakness.”

The Preakness Stakes at Pimlico is May 20.

West Coast beat maidens in his second start on March 12. In a workout last Sunday, Irish Freedom and West Coast worked together. Irish Freedom stayed in front of West Coast throughout.

Irish Freedom won a maiden race at Del Mar last summer and was fifth in his only start this year, an optional claimer March 9, behind Battle of Midway and Reach the World. Battle of Midway is a contender in the Santa Anita Derby.

The Santa Anita Derby field is led by Iliad, who was second to Mastery in the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on March 11. Mastery was pulled up after that race with an injury and will be out of training for several months.