Santa Anita Derby: Candy Boy, California Chrome put in works

ARCADIA, Calif. – Almost two months after his last start, Candy Boy was pronounced ready for the $1 million Santa Anita Derby on April 5 after a quick six-furlong workout in 1:11.80 at Santa Anita on Saturday.

Trainer John Sadler described Candy Boy’s training in recent weeks as “steady” and said the colt has excelled since a win in the Grade 2 Robert B. Lewis Stakes over 1 1/16 miles on Feb. 8. Sadler said the gap between races should benefit Candy Boy in advance of the Triple Crown.

“So many drop out, you want to have a fresh horse,” he said.

In Saturday’s workout, Candy Boy, ridden by Gary Stevens, started five lengths behind stablemate Prospector’s Alley and caught his workmate near the sixteenth pole, pulling away by four lengths at the finish.

Candy Boy is likely to be the second choice in the Santa Anita Derby behind California Chrome, winner of the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita on March 8. On Saturday at Los Alamitos, California Chrome worked a half-mile in 46.40 seconds under jockey Victor Espinoza.

“The workout went great,” trainer Art Sherman said. “I was happy with the way he went. He did it all by himself.”

California Chrome led throughout the San Felipe Stakes over 1 1/16 miles. Sherman expects him to be close to the front in the Santa Anita Derby, though not necessarily on the lead.

“He’s got speed, but like I told Victor, he’s controllable,” Sherman said. “We can sit off another horse.”

Sherman said California Chrome will be shipped to Santa Anita on Wednesday to have a few days of exercise before Saturday’s race.

The list of probable starters for the Santa Anita Derby also includes Big Tire, Dublin Up, Friendswith K Mill, Rprettyboyfloyd, and Schoolofhardrocks. Trainer Bob Baffert has not finalized his runners, with Bayern, Hoppertunity, and The Admiral considered candidates.

Van Dyke on hot streak

The hottest jockey at Santa Anita on Thursday and Friday was apprentice Drayden Van Dyke, who had five winners.

Van Dyke had two wins Thursday and a career-best day Friday, winning three races – the second on Cousin Ricky ($5.60), the fifth on Swift Eagle ($9.60), and the seventh on Pathway to Yes ($5.20).

The big day left Van Dyke eighth in the jockeys’ standings with 27 wins at the meeting. Rafael Bejarano leads all riders with 75 wins.

Van Dyke, 19, began Friday claiming a seven-pound allowance. Because he surpassed 40 career wins Friday – ending the day with 41 – he will claim a five-pound allowance until January, the end of his apprentice term. Van Dyke won his first race at Hollywood Park last November. He has ridden at Turf Paradise in recent weeks on dark days at Santa Anita and had two-win days at the Phoenix track March 17 and 19.

Pathway to Yes has provided Van Dyke with two of his career wins, including a starter allowance on the hillside turf course Feb. 23. The gelding took a jump in class to win a 6 1/2-furlong optional claimer on the hillside turf course Friday. Owned by Harris Farms, Pathway to Yes could be tried at a mile for his next start, trainer Dan Blacker said.

Orozco removed from mounts

Jockey Irving Orozco was removed from his mounts for the weekend on Friday after failing to ride Thursday. Orozco did not contact track stewards to discuss his absence and will not be able to resume riding until he appears before the stewards.

Orozco has won 19 races from 192 mounts at this meeting, ranking 11th in the jockeys’ standings.

When Orozco does return, he will need a new agent. Mike Ciani, who represented Orozco, said Friday he no longer will book mounts for the 20-year-old jockey.

Orozco did not return a phone call seeking comment.