Kentucky Derby 2025: Baeza going all in for Santa Anita Derby

The connections of impressive maiden winner Baeza hope the Santa Anita Derby has at least six starters, which means the full allotment of Kentucky Derby qualifying points will be awarded. Regardless, trainer John Shirreffs will not fret. He said, “There’s nothing I can do about it.”

Baeza, sibling to Kentucky Derby winner Mage and Belmont Stakes winner Dornoch, scored an impressive maiden victory in his third start Feb. 14, but he has zero qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby. Baeza’s only local shot for points is the Santa Anita Derby. The last two years, Kentucky Derby berths went to runners with 35 points or higher.

The Santa Anita Derby offers Kentucky Derby points on a 100-50-25 basis for the top three. If only five start in the Santa Anita Derby, points are 75-37.5-18.75. If only four start it drops to 50-25-12.5.

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“What are the chances of having a field less than six?” Shirreffs asked rhetorically.

It’s happened once in 45 years. Brother Derek won the five-horse Santa Anita Derby in 2006.

Baeza worked an easy half-mile in 52.60 seconds on Feb. 26.

“He’s got a big schedule ahead of him as far as getting ready for the Santa Anita Derby, so I needed to give him something easy,” Shirreffs said. He called the work “more like an open gallop.”

Baeza’s regular rider, Hector Berrios, also is his workout rider.

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