Motion-trained Kasseopia may join Santa Anita Derby fray

ARCADIA, Calif. - Kasseopia, third in the Grade 3 El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields on Feb. 13, is a possible starter in the $1 million Santa Anita Derby on April 9, trainer Graham Motion said on Sunday.

Sunday, Kasseopia worked five furlongs in 1:00.40 at Santa Anita. The colt has worked quickly in recent weeks, including six furlongs in 1:12.60 on March 20, the fastest of eight works at the distance that day.

Motion stopped short of confirming Kasseopia for the Santa Anita Derby, which is run at 1 1/8 miles. Most of his small California stable is being shipped to Keeneland, which begins its spring meet April 8, but Kasseopia could remain in California for the Santa Anita Derby.

“We’re trying to figure out a plan,” he said.

Owned by Team Valor International and Gary Barber, Kasseopia has one win in five starts. A British-bred colt by the Oasis Dream stallion Showcasing, Kasseopia won his third start, which came in a maiden race on the synthetic track at Kempton Park in England last September. He was trained at the time by Charlie Fellowes.

Kasseopia joined Motion’s stable following that race and finished second in the Grade 3 Grey Stakes at Woodbine last September in his North American debut. In the El Camino Real Derby at 1 1/8 miles, Kasseopia closed from 11th in a field of 13 to finish three lengths behind race winner Frank Conversation. Saturday, Frank Conversation was last in the $2 million UAE Derby at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai.

The Santa Anita Derby has eight probable starters. The race is expected to include the first five finishers of the $400,345 San Felipe Stakes on March 12 – Danzing Candy, Mor Spirit, Exaggerator, Uncle Lino, and Smokey Image. The first two finishers of the $79,695 San Pedro Stakes at six furlongs on March 21 – Iron Rob and Denman’s Call – are also candidates.