Kimbear, Battalion Runner look headed to Santa Anita Derby

ARCADIA, Calif. – From longshots to logical contenders, the field for the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby on April 8 continues to grow.

On Sunday, Kimbear was scratched from the Grade 3 Sunland Derby in New Mexico by trainer Eric Kruljac, who intends to start the colt in the $1 million Santa Anita Derby.

“Why not?” Kruljac said. “It’s his home track, and he doesn’t have to ship.”

The Santa Anita Derby, run at 1 1/8 miles, is likely to have a double-digit field. Other probable starters are American Anthem, Battalion Runner, Battle of Midway, Gormley, Iliad, Reach the World, Midnight Pleasure, Milton Freewater, So Conflated, and Term of Art.

On Sunday, trainer Todd Pletcher said he needed to talk with owner Vincent Viola, who races as St. Elias Stable, before confirming Battalion Runner as a starter. On Saturday, Battalion Runner breezed five furlongs in 1:01 at Palm Beach Downs in Florida.

Battalion Runner has won his last two starts, both at Gulfstream Park, a maiden race at seven furlongs on Dec. 31 and an optional claimer at 1 1/16 miles on Feb. 3. The Santa Anita Derby would be his stakes debut.

Iliad was second to Mastery in the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes at 1 1/16 miles here on March 11 and is likely to be favored in the Santa Anita Derby. Mastery was pulled up with an injury immediately after the San Felipe and is out of training.

Kimbear beat maidens in a seven-furlong race Feb. 25 in his sixth start and his second race on the main track. Kimbear finished third three times and fourth once in his turf races. Joe Talamo rode Kimbear in a turf race here in January, and Kruljac said that Talamo told him the colt was not getting a hold of the grass.

“I wasted three or four races, but I kept him sound,” Kruljac said.

The Santa Anita Derby will be Kimbear’s first start around two turns on dirt. He was third in two maiden races at a mile on turf last summer and fall.

Kruljac said he passed the Sunland Derby with Kimbear because of projected high winds there on Sunday.

“I know that track, and it can get dry and loose,” he said.

Kimbear never left Santa Anita, Kruljac said. On Saturday, Kimbear worked five furlongs in 58.40 seconds at Santa Anita.

“He’s doing so incredible,” Kruljac said.

Talamo is booked to ride Kimbear in the Santa Anita Derby.