Santa Anita: Big Tire jumps from maiden win to Santa Anita Derby

ARCADIA, Calif. – Big Tire is on the verge of the major leap from a maiden race win in early March to a Grade 1 stakes in the $1 million Santa Anita Derby on April 5.

Trainer Mark Glatt said Sunday that Big Tire is deserving of a start in California’s top race for 3-year-olds after a breakthrough win in a one-mile maiden race on March 7, his sixth start.

The jump in class is worth a try, especially considering the distance, Glatt said.

“He’s not up to the quality of those horses, but I think he’s improving,” Glatt said. “I don’t think the distance will be a factor. If he runs third, it would be a big deal.”

[ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY: Prep races, point standings, replays]

Big Tire races for breeder Ted Aroney’s Halo Farms. On March 7, Big Tire closed from sixth in a field of eight to win by a nose over Rprettyboyfloyd, who returned to finish second in a maiden race on Sunday.

Glatt is hoping that a quick pace will develop in the Santa Anita Derby that will help Big Tire’s ability to close ground. The presence of the maiden Dublin Up, third to Big Tire on March 7; and The Admiral, an allowance race winner on March 16, could lead to an honest pace.

“It depends on who will run and whether there is a pace scenario,” Glatt said.

The list of Santa Anita Derby candidates is led by California Chrome, the winner of the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes on March 8; and Candy Boy, who won the Grade 2 Robert Lewis Stakes on Feb. 8. They will meet for the first time in the Santa Anita Derby.

Other candidates are Hoppertunity, who won the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park on March 15; Friendswith K Mill, who was second to The Admiral on March 16; and Schoolofhardrocks, who was fourth in the San Felipe.

Bob Baffert trains Hoppertunity and The Admiral. He has not ruled out starting Bayern, who is unbeaten in two starts but yet to start in a stakes. Bayern was scratched from the San Felipe Stakes with a bruised foot. Baffert has said the $1 million Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park on April 12 is another possibility for Bayern.