Kentucky Derby: Candy Boy may be outside looking in
ARCADIA, Calif. - The third-place finish by Candy Boy in Saturday’s $1 million Santa Anita Derby may not assure the colt a starting berth in the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 3.
Through Saturday, Candy Boy was ranked 16th in the nation with 30 Kentucky Derby qualifying points. Beginning this weekend, there are three races remaining that provide points. Saturday’s Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland and Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park are worth 100-40-20-10 to the first four finishers. The Lexington Stakes at Keeneland on April 19 is worth 10-4-2-1 to the first four finishers.
[ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY: Prep races, point standings, replays]
Trainer John Sadler said on Sunday that he fears too many horses will earn points this weekend and move past Candy Boy in the rankings. The first 20 horses in the rankings are assured berths.
“I don’t think we’ll get in,” Sadler said. “There are two more [big] races this weekend.”
Candy Boy won the Grade 2 Robert Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita on Feb. 8, earning 10 qualifying points. His third-place finish on Saturday was worth 20 points.
In the Santa Anita Derby, Candy Boy was third for most of the race, finishing 8 3/4 lengths behind California Chrome. Candy Boy did not quicken when California Chrome took control of the race in early stretch. California Chrome stalked pacesetter Dublin Up before taking the lead near the quarter pole.
Sadler said the racing surface at Santa Anita on Saturday was biased against horses who did not race on the lead.
“You have to be in front to win,” he said. “I don’t like the track.”
California Chrome won by 5 3/4 lengths over Hoppertunity, who finished 3 1/2 lengths clear of Candy Boy. Hoppertunity won the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park on March 15.
Trainer Bob Baffert said on Sunday that Hoppertunity “came back sharp” and would go to the Kentucky Derby. Hoppertunity is ranked sixth in the nation with 95 qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby, sufficient points to ensure a berth.