Improbable freshened, working well for Santana Mile

The beaten favorite in the $3 million Kentucky Derby last May will have his first start of 2020 in Sunday’s $75,000 Santana Mile at Santa Anita.

If all goes well Sunday, Improbable will not start in any more races with five-figure purses.

Trained by Bob Baffert, Improbable will be favored in the Santana Mile in his first start since a fifth in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile on Nov. 2 at Santa Anita.

Improbable finished fifth in the Kentucky Derby and was moved up to fourth after the disqualification of first-place finisher Maximum Security. In his final four starts of 2019, Improbable had one win, the minor Shared Belief Stakes against three rivals at Del Mar in August. He was sixth as the favorite in the Preakness Stakes and fourth as the favorite in the Pennsylvania Derby after a poor start.

“He was having issues at the gate and didn’t ship well,” Baffert said.

Improbable is winless in six graded stakes since a victory in the Grade 1 Los Alamitos Futurity in December 2018. In recent weeks, Baffert has been encouraged by Improbable’s work pattern. Improbable worked six furlongs in 1:12.20 on March 16 and seven furlongs in 1:25 last Sunday.

:: To stay up to date, follow us on: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

“He’s been working well,” Baffert said. “He’s filled out. I think he needed that time off.”

Owned by the partnership of WinStar Farm, China Horse Club International, and Starlight Farm, Improbable, part of a field of seven in the Santana Mile, is likely to face a stern test.

Two Thirty Five, who starts from the rail, was second in the Grade 2 San Pasqual Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on Feb. 1 and last of seven in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap at 1 1/4 miles on March 7. Kershaw, who drew the outside post, ran the best race of his career to win an allowance race with a $62,500 claiming option at a mile by 3 1/2 lengths on Feb. 23.

Two Thirty Five was beaten 3 1/2 lengths in the San Pasqual. The Big Cap distance was too far, trainer Richard Baltas said.

“He was in tight the whole way and had a lot of dirt in his face,” he said. “I don’t think he liked it. I think his best distance is a mile to a mile and an eighth.”

Two Thirty Five typically races as a stalker. Flavien Prat has the mount, replacing Ruben Fuentes. Prat rode Two Thirty Five to two third-place finishes in optional claimers last year.

“The race has come up kind of salty,” Baltas said. “The horse is doing exceptionally well. I’ve got a good pilot, and we’ll see how it goes.”

The Santana Mile will be the stakes debut for Kershaw in his 15th start.

“It’s time to explore and see how good he is,” trainer Phil D’Amato said. “I like our draw on the outside. We’ll see how good he is.

“I think he’s a little versatile. He doesn’t have to have the front. I think we have the luxury of seeing what else is going to happen on the inside. He won’t be sitting way off it. If he’s not on the lead. He’ll be up close.”