Wanna Runner gets Baffert a WinStar Derby

Bob Baffert didn't just break his winless streak in Sunland's $600,000 on Saturday, he smashed it, as his trainees Wanna Runner and Sky Diving finished one-two in the meet's marquee event.

Wanna Runner, the 4-5 favorite, showed speed to hound pacesetter Blaze It from the outside, pounced on that foe going to the far turn, took over, and extended his lead from there to win by five lengths under Victor Espinoza.

Wanna Runner ran the 1 1/8 miles in 1:48.88 and paid $3.80. The $300,000 winner's share increased Wanna Runner's earnings to $381,950, and he has three wins in seven starts. Horses from Southern California have now won three of the four runnings of the WinStar Derby.

Sky Diving showed early speed, took back a bit after Wanna Runner moved up to press the pace, swung outside, and continued on steadily to be a clear second. Belligerence, who was a bit fractious in the gate before the start, put in a solid run to get third, though he was never really a threat to the top pair. Doctor Decherd and Wait in Line never challenged.

Sweet Fourty outlasts Well Hidden

Sweet Fourty proved to be too classy for the local queen of the 3-year-old filly crop, Well Hidden, in the $250,000 . Trained by Jeff Mullins and ridden by Espinoza, Sweet Fourty, the heavy favorite, stalked in third behind a very fast pace, steadily advanced to the far turn, wore down her stablemate Princess Patricia in midstretch, opened up, and had enough to hold off Well Hidden by a half-length. Sweet Fourty covered the 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.73 and paid $3.40.

Well Hidden, previously undefeated in three starts, bided her time toward the back behind a fast pace and made a steady run at Sweet Fourty in the final furlong before falling short. Princess Patricia, also trained by Mullins, chased pacesetter Legally Wild through hot splits, took over on the far turn, but couldn't fend off the top pair while holding third.

Show Me Your Glory upsets Henson

Show Me Your Glory gave Espinoza his three stakes win in a row when she upset the $100,000 at a mile. A 5-year-old mare trained by Henry Dominguez, Show Me Your Glory had been beaten by many of her Henson foes in recent months, but she turned the tables here. Show Me Your Glory paid $12.40 for the win, running the mile in 1:35.47. Red Lifesaver finished second, and Peace Symbol finished third. Defending champion Blue Song finished fourth.