Every racing fan knows that trainer Bob Baffert won back-to-back Kentucky Derbys in 1997-98 with Silver Charm and Real Quiet, and that it would have been three in a row if Cavonnier had a longer nose in ’96.
Almost as remarkable is Baffert’s record in the Santa Anita Derby, California’s major Triple Crown prep. He’s come within inches of winning four straight, including 1-2 finishes the past two years. Only Silver Charm’s photo-finish loss breaks the skein.
In today’s Grade 1, $1 million Santa Anita Derby (Fox, 5-6 p.m.; post time 5:40) at 11/8 miles, Baffert has a solid shot to make it four of the last five with Captain Steve, who tackles five outstanding opponents — War Chant, The Deputy, Anees, Cocky and the superfilly Surfside — all looking to punch their ticket to Churchill Downs.
“We’re going to find out their distance limitations (today),” Baffert said. “That’s the scary part. You can win, but if you don’t look good finishing, that tells you about the Derby. You can’t train a horse to go 11/4 miles. Either they can or they can’t.”
Captain Steve — owned by Baffert’s buddy Mike Pegram, whose Real Quiet ran second in the ’98 Santa Anita Derby, then won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness — stamped himself a top classic contender as a 2-year-old, winning the Breeders’ Futurity, Kentucky Jockey Club and Hollywood Futurity by wide margins.
But the son of Fly So Free finished third as the favorite in both starts this year, the Santa Catalina and Louisiana Derby. As a result he’ll be no better than the third or fourth betting choice today.
Ignore Captain Steve at your own peril, Baffert warns.
“Draw line through his last two races,” he said. “He had sore feet in the Santa Catalina, I had to walk him for two weeks after that, then had to put the rush on him for the Louisiana Derby.
“Now he’s back. He’s doing really good and should run really good. He’ll be right there.”
It should be a wow finish. War Chant, although he’s never faced top horses before, is unbeaten in three starts. The Deputy was a close second in the San Felipe to Fusaichi Pegasus, the current Kentucky Derby favorite.
Anees, last year’s 2-year-old champ, was third making his 3-year-old debut in the San Felipe and should improve. Cocky was third, beaten less than a length by War Chant, in the San Rafael.
And then there’s Surfside, who’s tackling colts for the first time. Trained by D. Wayne Lukas, the speedy daughter of Seattle Slew out of champion Flanders has won 7 of 9 starts. The rest of the field is a combined 13-for-30.
In a wide-open race, go for a price. Box Captain Steve, Surfside and Cocky in the exacta and trifecta.