Santa Anita Derby field taking shape

ARCADIA, Calif. - The only missing piece from the Santa Anita Derby on April 3 is the role of favorite. A field of nine or 10, led by pacesetter Sidney's Candy, is expected for the Derby in which Sidney's Candy would be the indisputable favorite, only if Lookin At Lucky does not run.

Bob Baffert said a decision regarding Lookin At Lucky's participation will be made after he works Sunday.

"I want to run here," Baffert said Friday at Santa Anita. "It gives him four weeks" before the Kentucky Derby.

Baffert, however, believes Lookin At Lucky is better on conventional surfaces and could return to Oaklawn Park for the Arkansas Derby on April 10.

"He moves so much better on dirt," Baffert said.

Lookin At Lucky won the Rebel Stakes on March 13 at Oaklawn, his first start of the year. His workout Sunday will determine whether he stays home or ships again.

"We'll know by the way he works, and if he comes out happy," Baffert said.

Sidney's Candy, back-to-back Grade 2 winner of the seven-furlong San Vicente and 1 1/16-mile San Felipe, is slated to work six furlongs Monday. Barring unexpected developments, Sidney's Candy figures to be loose on the lead in the 1 1/8-mile Derby.

The expected field, with riders, includes Sidney's Candy, Joe Talamo; Caracortado, Paul Atkinson; Alphie's Bet, Alex Solis; Setsuko, Rafael Bejarano; Thomas Baines, Joel Rosario; Posse Power, no rider; Skipshot, no rider; Who's Up, Victor Espinoza; Cardiff Giant, Christian Santiago-Reyes; and possibly Lookin At Lucky, Garrett Gomez.

'DreamBet' sweepstakes for Santa Anita Derby

Churchill Downs will sponsor a "DreamBet" sweepstakes for the Santa Anita Derby, in which one ontrack fan will get a $10,000 win wager on a horse of their choosing in the Santa Anita Derby. The sweepstakes drawing will be held after the third race Santa Anita Derby Day; a list of 10 finalists will be posted in the East Paddock gardens and on television monitors.

The Santa Anita Derby will be televised by NBC as part of its "Road to the Kentucky Derby" series. The show will air from 2 to 3 p.m. Pacific. The Santa Anita Derby will be race 6 on an 11-race program, with Derby post time scheduled for 2:40.