Blacker can end Baffert's amazing Los Alamitos Derby streak
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An improving California-bred just might rescue the $100,000 Los Alamitos Derby on Saturday.
Trainer Dan Blacker and owner-breeder Harris Farms will employ a simple formula to try and end Bob Baffert’s decade-long grip on the 1 1/8-mile stakes – start the best horse. Start the Ride towers over four rivals that are less accomplished and not as fast. Those include Sabino Canyon, a maiden trying to extend Baffert’s nine-year win streak in the Los Alamitos Derby.
While Sabino Canyon is expected to improve after finishing fourth against maidens in his second start, he is up against it facing stakes winner Start the Ride, a good horse who is getting better. Start the Ride won the $175,000 California Cup Derby at Santa Anita in January, when Kentucky Derby fever runs hot. But after Start the Ride lost the Grade 2 San Felipe and Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby by double-digit margins, it was time to regroup.
Following a better-than-looked third in an allowance turf route, Start the Ride returned to dirt against older Cal-breds. He pressed the pace for the first time in his career and scored a sharp allowance victory.
“He showed a lot more speed in his most recent race, which shows he’s maturing, he’s getting into the races a little earlier,” Blacker said. “I’d like to say it’s my genius training, but the reality is it’s just the natural progression of a racehorse. He’s learning.”
Armando Ayuso rides Start the Ride, an Upstart colt who has won two of five. He was declared a non-starter in his fourth-place debut Nov. 16 when held by the assistant starter. Start the Ride has come a long way since, and he enters summer on an upward pattern.
“He wasn’t the most precocious type as a 2-year-old,” Blacker said. “He just needed a bit more time to mature, physically and mentally, and he just got better through the year. He’s still kind of figuring things out.”
A habitual slow starter, Start the Ride has responded to extensive gate schooling.
“Armando’s been on him in the morning. He’s got the horse to break a bit better now,” said Blacker. “Running on the dirt, you’ve got to be breaking and getting into the race.”
It worked perfectly last out. Start the Ride returned to dirt, pressed the pace, and won by a half-length with an 84 Beyer Speed Figure that tops the Los Alamitos Derby field. If he runs two alike, Start the Ride should win at a short price. Los Alamitos Derby favorites are 7 for 12.
Sabino Canyon has upside for Baffert. Last in his debut on turf, he improved when he switched to dirt. Sabino Canyon saved ground in fifth, angled outside, and finished evenly for fourth. His Beyer was a respectable 79. Sabino Canyon’s jockey Saturday is Ricky Gonzalez.
Three others were supplemented to the Los Alamitos Derby. Southern Melodee could hit the board based on his Santa Anita allowance route win March 20, Fionello is a stakes-winning sprinter, and Fuego Del Sol has never raced beyond six furlongs.
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