When American Anthem goes to the post in the Grade 2, $900,000 Rebel Stakes on Saturday at Oaklawn Park, he’ll do so as the best chance for trainer Bob Baffert and jockey Mike Smith to win this year’s Kentucky Derby now that the unbeaten Mastery has been removed from the picture following his injury in the San Felipe Stakes last Saturday.
Skip to main content
Create Your DRF Account
New to DRF?
Everything you could possibly
need in one place
need in one place
Register
Don't have an account?
Register Here
DRF Past Performances
Sunland Park officials anticipate drawing 3-year-olds from California, Florida, and the Midwest for the New Mexico track’s richest Thoroughbred offerings, the Grade 3, $800,000 Sunland Derby and the $200,000 Sunland Park Oaks. The races will anchor a card of seven stakes on March 26.
There were 458 nominations, which were free, for the 1 1/8-mile Sunland Derby in February, and this week the track had a working list of 13 probables. Entries will be taken next Wednesday, said Dustin Dix, director of racing operations for Sunland. The maximum gate is 12.
ARCADIA, Calif. – The Grade 1 status of the $1 million Santa Anita Derby, coupled with the defection of Mastery from the potential lineup, has caused trainer Todd Pletcher to consider the race for a couple of his Kentucky Derby prospects, he said on Wednesday.
The top 3-year-old colt Mastery, who suffered a condylar fracture to his left front leg on Saturday at Santa Anita, underwent surgery on Monday afternoon at Santa Anita that "went very well," his trainer, Bob Baffert, said early Monday evening.
Mastery returned to his stall in Baffert's barn at Santa Anita following the surgery.
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Classic Empire and McCraken have a lot in common. The two top-ranked 3-year-olds on this week’s Derby Watch list have spent the winter at the Palm Meadows training center, where they’ve both encountered minor issues that forced them to miss some training time.
Both are being pointed to the Grade 2 Blue Grass Stakes on April 8, and both turned in important works over the weekend that had their connections smiling.
Grade 2, $350,000 Tampa Bay Derby, 1 1/16 miles, Tampa Bay Downs, March 11, 2017
(50 Derby qualifying points for a win, 20 for second, 10 for third, 5 for fourth)
Winner: Tapwrit, by Tapit
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Jose Ortiz
Owner: Bridlewood Farm, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, and Robert LaPenta
Beyer Speed Figure: 96
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – There appears to be an ample amount of speed signed on for the Grade 2, $900,000 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park, with such 3-year-olds as American Anthem, Malagacy, Royal Mo, and Uncontested all candidates for the 1 1/16-mile race Saturday. That sits really well with trainer Randy Morse, who will send out the promising Tapit colt Silver Dust.
“The faster they go up front, the better it is for him,” Morse said.
Grade 2, $400,690 San Felipe Stakes; 1 1/16 miles; Santa Anita; March 11, 2017
(50 Derby qualifying points for a win, 20 for second, 10 for third, 5 for fourth)
Winner: Mastery, by Candy Ride
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Mike Smith
Owner: Cheyenne Stable
Beyer Speed Figure: 105