Pepe Tono's people pay to play in Santa Anita Derby

ARCADIA, Calif. – Pepe Tono, who has been 10-1 or higher in his four starts and was sixth in his only stakes appearance, was supplemented to Saturday’s Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby on Wednesday.

The supplemental fee was $20,000. There is an additional $15,000 in entry and starting fees.

“That hurts,” said trainer Victor Garcia.

Pepe Tono will be part of a small field, albeit one loaded with Triple Crown hopefuls. The $1 million Santa Anita Derby is led by Bolt d’Oro, a winner of two Grade 1 races; Justify, who is unbeaten in two outstanding starts; and Instilled Regard, the winner of the Grade 3 Lecomte Stakes at Fair Grounds this year.

Run at 1 1/8 miles, the Santa Anita Derby has a projected field of seven, including Core Beliefs, Jimmy Chila, and Orbit Rain.

Pepe Tono races for former trainer Juan Garcia and is trained by his son. Victor Espinoza will ride Pepe Tono for the first time. The colt was third to Justify in an allowance race at a mile on March 11 and sixth in the Grade 3 Robert B. Lewis Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on Feb. 3.

“We’ll take a chance,” Victor Garcia said. “I think he has more room to improve. I think the mile and an eighth will help him a lot. This will be his second time with blinkers.”

:: ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY: Prep races, point standings, replays, and analysis