Geaux Rocket Ride will turn on afterburners in Santa Anita Derby

Geaux Rocket Ride will be among the least experienced entrants in the Grade 1 Runhappy Santa Anita Derby on April 8, but the two-start colt could inherit the most important role – he is the likely pacesetter.

Runner-up in the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes, Geaux Rocket Ride is the only true front-runner among six known possibles for the 1 1/8-mile Santa Anita Derby. Nominations close March 30 and early possibles include Geaux Rocket Ride, Practical Move, Skinner, I Don’t Get It, Mandarin Hero, and Dazzlemesilver.

Richard Mandella trains Geaux Rocket Ride, whose initial workout following the San Felipe was a half-mile on March 18 at Santa Anita. Although the first workout after a race is typically a solo move, Mandella worked Geaux Rocket Ride in company.

“He’s only run twice. He needs experience,” Mandella said, explaining why the colt worked with maiden filly Mizztify Doll. Geaux Rocket Ride broke off behind Mizztify Doll, who was kept off the rail. Geaux Rocket Ride rallied inside his workmate, ran away late, and was given a half-mile workout time of 49.20.

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“Very nice,” Mandella said, adding Geaux Rocket Ride “is coming along good for the race.”

The Santa Anita Derby pace scenario is favorable; the list of probable starters is otherwise void of speed. Geaux Rocket Ride pressed Hejazi in the San Felipe, but Hejazi is not expected in the Santa Anita Derby. Geaux Rocket Ride could be loose on the lead. When he won his debut racing six furlongs on Jan. 29, Geaux Rocket Ride sped the opening half-mile in 44.62.

As for Geaux Rocket Ride’s lack of seasoning, it is a non-issue. Each of the last five Santa Anita Derby winners had previously started three times or fewer. Taiba in 2022 raced once previously; Rock Your World in 2021 had two starts; Honor A. P. in 2020 and Roadster in 2019 each had three starts; Justify in 2018 had started twice.

West coast workers

San Felipe winner Practical Move worked a solo half-mile March 18, his first work following his decisive victory March 4. Practical Move was timed in 47.60. Skinner, third in the San Felipe, already has worked twice since – a half-mile March 13 in 50.20, and five-eighths March 19 in 1:01.60.

I Don’t Get It won a maiden race March 11; his wide-trip victory under confident handling was visually better than the three-quarter-length margin. Dazzlemesilver, a two-start maiden who finished third to I Don’t Get It, is possible for the Santa Anita Derby. “We’ll consider it if he breezes well this weekend,” trainer Keith Desormeaux said early this week.

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