Brother Derek state's Cup representative

Dan Hendricks has already heard the criticism of the Grade 2 Norfolk Stakes at Santa Anita on Oct. 2, a race he won with Brother Derek.

The race was too slow and the field was sub-par. Such comments just bring a smile to Hendricks.

"They knocked the Santa Anita Derby didn't they?" Hendricks asked a few days ago.

Yes, the quality of the Santa Anita Derby back in April was criticized in the build-up to the Kentucky Derby. Then, Giacomo, who was fourth in the Santa Anita Derby, pulled a shocking win in the Kentucky Derby.

If Brother Derek can do the same in the $1.5 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Belmont Park on Saturday, Hendricks will feel vindicated.

Brother Derek is the sole California-bred pre-entered in the eight Breeders' Cup races. He is trying to become the first Cal-bred to win a Breeders' Cup race since Tiznow defended his title in the Classic at Belmont in 2001.

Owned by Cecil Peacock, Brother Derek has won 2 of 3 starts and $167,100. He overcame a foot problem and a virus during the summer to win the Norfolk.

Those setbacks limited Brother Derek to one start at Del Mar, a third in the I'm Smokin Stakes on Sept. 5. In the Norfolk Stakes over 1 1/16 miles, Brother Derek led throughout, holding off a late run by A.P. Warrior to win by three-quarters of a length.

Brother Derek won his debut at Hollywood Park on May 14, the same day that Hendricks won the $350,000 Jim Murray Memorial Handicap with Runaway Dancer. In the winner's circle following the Murray, Hendricks was as excited about Brother Derek as he was about the stakes win.

Hendricks advised Peacock to purchase Brother Derek for $275,000 at the Barretts March sale of 2-year-olds in training. "He was well worth it," Hendricks said.

Bred by Mary Caldwell, Brother Derek is by Benchmark out of Miss Soft Sell. Brother Derek is a full brother to Don'tsellmeshort, the champion statebred 2-year-old male of 2003 who raced for Peacock and Hendricks.

Don'tsellmeshort never reached the Breeders' Cup, but his younger brother is capable of a surprise next weekend.

Dispersals pump up Pomona sale

Several dispersals as well as large consignments from Golden Eagle Farm and River Edge Farm could boost the marathon Barretts October mixed sale in Pomona on Monday and Tuesday.

The 710-horse sale features broodmares, yearlings, weanlings, and a small number of horses of racing age.

Last year, the two-day sale saw 419 horses sell for an average of $5,428, a decline of 3 percent from 2003. Cheiron, a 3-year-old, topped the 2004 sale at $165,000, the only horse to surpass six figures.

This year, there are dispersals of Pegasus Ranch, Duane Clark, Beach Dickerson, and the Estate of Al Toffel. The Toffel dispersal comprises three broodmares, including Rexy Sexy, a winner of two stakes and $201,925. She has yet to produce anything of her caliber.

Pegasus Ranch is selling 19 horses, including one stallion (Kahuna Jack), eight broodmares, and 10 weanlings.

The sale also features weanlings from the first crops of Avanzado, Capsized, Decarchy, Definite Edge, Freespool, Lake William, Makors Mark, Mt. Bellewood, and Stormy Jack.

The River Edge consignment has 44 broodmares, the largest offering of broodmares in the sale.

* Tranquility Farm, the horse retirement and retraining facility in Tehachapi, Calif., is hosting its annual benefit auction of stallions seasons, art, and racing memorabilia at Santa Anita on Nov. 5. There is a cocktail party at 5:30 p.m. and the auction at 6. Seasons from stallions such as Atticus, Officer, Redattore, Soul of the Matter, and Skip Away will be offered.