Santa Anita Derby: Maiden winners Storm Fighter, Summer Exclusive earn a shot

ARCADIA, Calif. – The March 2 program at Santa Anita will rightfully be remembered for Game On Dude’s emphatic win in the $750,000 Santa Anita Handicap. It turns out two maiden race winners on that day – the 3-year-olds Storm Fighter and Summer Exclusive – may be deserving of attention over time.

Storm Fighter, who won a race for California-breds over 1 1/16 miles in his third start, and Summer Exclusive, who won over 6 1/2 furlongs in his career debut that day, are being prepared for the $750,000 Santa Anita Derby on April 6.

Storm Fighter made his first start around two turns on March 2, and drew away as the 3-5 favorite to win by 5 3/4 lengths. The Santa Anita Derby will be his first start in a stakes, and is worth a gamble, according to Karen Headley, who assists her father, trainer Bruce Headley.

“Why not?” she said. “He can go farther, and he’s a really nice colt.”

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

Storm Fighter, by Stormin Fever, races for Golden Eagle Farm. Gary Stevens will ride Storm Fighter in the Santa Anita Derby, Karen Headley said.

Summer Exclusive did not have a rider for the Santa Anita Derby as of Friday, but trainer Peter Miller said he had a few candidates in mind. He is eager to work Summer Exclusive over seven furlongs or a mile this week before confirming plans for the Santa Anita Derby, which is run over 1 1/8 miles.

“He’ll have to look like he’ll do it,” Miller said. “It’s a lot of money.”

Owned by a partnership, Summer Exclusive won his debut by a length.

The Santa Anita Derby field is led by Hear the Ghost, who won the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes over 1 1/16 miles on March 9. The second through fourth-place finishers in that race – Flashback, Tiz a Minister, and Goldencents – as well as Super Ninety Nine, who was fifth in the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park on March 16, are other expected candidates.

Blueskiesnrainbows may target Texas Mile

Friday, Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer won an optional claimer with Blueskiesnrainbows, who won the Grade 2 Swaps Stakes last summer when trained by Bob Baffert.

Blueskiesnrainbows joined Hollendorfer’s stable last fall after owners Bad Boy Racing and Whizaway Farms transferred the 4-year-old colt, who is by English Channel.

In Friday’s race, Blueskiesnrainbows ($3.40) led throughout under leading rider Rafael Bejarano to win by 3 3/4 lengths over Phantom Lover, finishing a mile in 1:36.28. Hollendorfer said Blueskiesnrainbows will be considered for the $200,000 Texas Mile at Lone Star Park on April 27.