Instagrand joins top Derby contenders on tab

ARCADIA, Calif. – The desire to add a Kentucky Derby to a trophy case that already includes multiple Eclipse Awards and a Hall of Fame plaque brought jockey Javier Castellano all the way to Santa Anita on Monday morning to work the unbeaten Instagrand and two other 3-year-olds for owner Larry Best, who reached out to secure Castellano for Instagrand.

“You’re still always looking for a challenge, and the biggest challenge, the biggest prize, for me is the Derby,” Castellano said. “This is the time you have to search.”

Castellano arrived Sunday night from Florida and was up early for works, but the drill with Instagrand was delayed owing to a catastrophic injury that occurred moments before he was scheduled to break off for his work. After the stricken horse, later identified as the maiden Charmer John, was removed via horse ambulance, Instagrand went about his business and covered seven furlongs in 1:26.60.

Up in the stands, a quiet descended as Charmer John – who, according to Dr. Tim Grande of the California Horse Board, later was euthanized – was taken away. After Instagrand worked safely, his trainer, Jerry Hollendorfer, said of the recent rash of injuries – which included his top-class Battle of Midway – “You know, this is very disturbing.”

Instagrand, one of 120 horses to record timed works on the main track Monday, worked by himself. Hollendorfer said he “went fine.”

“He certainly wasn’t asking him,” said Hollendorfer, who said Instagrand would have “another strong work” in six or seven days as his final drill for his 3-year-old debut in the San Felipe Stakes here March 9.

Castellano also worked two comebackers, the colt Rowayton and the filly Brill, for Hollendorfer and Best. Rowayton sped five furlongs in 59.40 seconds, equaling the best time of 48 at the distance, and Brill went six furlongs in 1:12.80.

Several other San Felipe prospects worked Monday, most notably the Bob Baffert-trained duo of Game Winner and Improbable, both, like Instagrand, undefeated.

Game Winner, last year’s male 2-year-old champion, worked six furlongs from the gate in company in 1:13.60. Improbable, with Drayden Van Dyke up, went six furlongs by himself in 1:12, the best time of nine at the distance.

“We let him run today,” Baffert said of Improbable.

Extra Hope, a recent allowance winner, worked five furlongs in 1:01.20 for trainer Richard Mandella, who said Extra Hope also would go in the San Felipe.

McKinzie, prepping for the Santa Anita Handicap on March 9, worked seven furlongs in 1:24.20 for Baffert. Pavel, also likely for the Big Cap, went a half-mile in 49.60 seconds for Doug O’Neill.

Other works of note included Cal Cup Derby winner Galilean, who was timed in 47.40 for a half-mile for Hollendorfer, who said Galilean would make his next start in the Rebel on March 16 at Oaklawn Park.

The 3-year-old Baffert trainee Dessman, who is scheduled to run in a one-mile allowance race Friday against stablemate Roadster, went a half-mile in 48.80 in company with stakes-winning stablemate Heck Yeah, who got the same time.