There’s no scoring race on the Road to the Kentucky Derby this weekend, but a point race at Santa Anita . Park January 15th could have the potential to create a 3-year-old that can make its way into the series.
The $200,000 California Cup Derby, one of five on Saturday’s California Cup, is a state-led, hybrid 1/16-mile sophomore test. Straight up WOOD . A dominant winner in his last two starts, he is heavily preferred over five opponents.
It’s not without precedent for a foal to win the California Derby Cup and move on to bigger things. Sherman Art Trained by Sherman California Chrome won the race in 2014 and went through the glory at 3 years old with victory in the Santa Anita Derby (G1), the Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands (G1) and Preakness Stakes (G1) are on their way to being Horse of the Year.
Straight Up G still has to prove its rated money is worth it but is off to a promising start to its career. Via Straight fire get out Sky Mesa mare Gidget Girl, he won the state-bred race in a mile-long King Glorious Stakes at Los Alamitos . Racecourse December 12th.
“He made everything really easy,” said coach Richard Baltas. “Last time he handled two turns with no problem. He’s still growing, he’s big, he’s handsome and he’s got a good mind. Hopefully he can finish. this (Saturday) and then maybe we can settle the open company. He’s got the size, he’s the length.”
Videotapes: King Glorious S. (BT)
California Chrome also won the King Glorious at the end of the season at the age of 2 when the race was held at the defunct Hollywood Park.
Before the King’s glory, Straight Up G ran over the maidens at Del Mar November 21 after finishing 4th on his Santa Anita debut on October 9. As Jungle Racing, sports talk show host Jim Rome owns him along with his wife. , Janet. They also bred him.
Ricky Gonzalez rides.
Finneus and Quick Drawing Munnings , 2-3 after Straight Up G at Los Alamitos, head to head.
The California Cup Derby is Saturday’s third race, the first of the day.
Leggs Galore , Nardini , and Warren’s Showtime —Rematched in a 6 1/2 run down the grassy field on the hillside of Santa Anita.
Warren’s Showtime classified multi-stake winner, a 5-year-old child Clubhouse Ride mare owned by Sally Warren and breeder Benjamin Warren, was the favorite of the morning line 5-2 after finishing in second place As time goes by during the Bayakoa Stakes (G3) at Los Alamitos last month.
Juan Hernandez will be on board.
Owned by breeder William Sims, speed Leggs Galore (Bayern) new race to find coach Phil D’Amato. It last started on August 15 in Del Mar, weakening to fourth place in the deadly heatwave at the mile-long Solana Beach Stakes. She wins 5/6 in sprints, only losing in open joint stock company. Gonzalez rides.
Other early favorites in the Saturday bet action at Santa Anita include India Peak in the $200,000 Extraordinary Heat Turf Classic Shares program presented by City National Bank, Brickyard Ride in the $150,000 Don Valpredo California Cup Sprint Share, and The pride of the professors in the $200,000 Leigh Ann Howard California Cup Oaks.
Item: California Cup Derby
Santa Anita . Park, Saturday, January 15, 2022, Race 3
- STK
- 1 1/16m
- Dust
- 200,000 dollars
- 3 yo
- 1:00pm (local)
Item: Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf Sprint S. Presented by John Deere
Santa Anita . Park, Saturday, January 15, 2022, Race 8
- STK
- About 6 1/2f
- Grass pitch downhill
- 150,000 dollars
- 4 yo & up Fillies and Mares
- 3:36 pm (local)
