Brother Derek looks to break slump in Strub

Multiple Grade 1 winner BROTHER DEREK (Benchmark) hasn't visited the winner's

circle since taking last April's Santa Anita Derby (G1) by 3 1/4 lengths. On

Saturday, the four-year-old bay will make his second start of the year in the $300,000 Strub S. (G2)

for four-year-olds at Santa Anita, taking on

six rivals in the 1 1/8-mile affair as the 123-pound highweight under regular

rider Alex Solis.

Since the Santa Anita Derby, the Dan Hendricks charge has faced off against some

stiff competition, running fourth in both the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness S. (G1) as well as a fifth in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1). He was a

good third in the San Fernando Breeders' Cup S. (G2) three weeks ago, just 1 1/4

lengths behind winner AWESOME GEM (Awesome Again), and his connections have not

given up on the colt just yet.

"There just have been so many circumstances and things that have happened,"

Hendricks explained. "Other than that, he's run some big races since the Santa

Anita Derby, and we're still happy with him, proud of him and having fun with

him."

Awesome Gem has finished off the board only once in his seven-race career,

that coming in his debut last July. He finally broke through with a maiden

win at the Oak Tree meet in late September and, following an allowance victory

in late October, finished second in the

Sir Beaufort S. (G3) in late December. The Craig Dollase runner recorded a nose victory in the San Fernando most

recently. Awesome Gem will keep Tyler Baze, who was in the saddle for his two stakes tries,

aboard on Saturday.

ARSON SQUAD (Brahms) is looking for his first stakes win since taking the

Swaps Breeders' Cup S. (G2) last season. The Bruce Headley-trained dark bay also

exits the San Fernando, where he finished fourth, and will get Garrett Gomez

back in the irons. Other contenders in the Strub include Malibu S. (G1)

runner-up SPRING AT LAST (Silver Deputy) and Grade 3 victor MIDNIGHT LUTE (Real

Quiet), who was second in the San Fernando.

OBJECTIVE (El Corredor) will lead the post parade under a 117-pound impost

that includes jockey Jorge Chavez. Following them will be FAIRBANKS (Giant's

Causeway), David Flores, 117; Arson Squad, 121; Awesome Gem, 121; Brother Derek;

Midnight Lute, Victor Espinoza, 119; and Spring at Last, Corey Nakatani, 117.