Lookin at Lucky faces nine in Santa Anita Derby

Saturday's $750,000

Santa

Anita Derby (G1) has drawn a contentious group of 10 three-year-olds trying

to stamp their tickets to the May 1 Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs, but

the reappearance of champion LOOKIN AT LUCKY (Smart Strike) could spoil those

plans.

Trainer Bob Baffert shipped the bay colt to Oaklawn Park for the March 13

Rebel S. (G2), which was his dirt debut. Lookin at Lucky passed the main track

test, but had to work to get the head victory in the 1 1/16-mile test following

midrace trouble. His Hall of Fame conditioner opted to take his charge back to

California for the Santa Anita Derby instead of staying at Oaklawn for the $1

million Arkansas Derby (G1) on April 10, and Lookin at Lucky will break from the

7 post as the 4-5 morning-line favorite.

Lookin at Lucky owns a 6-1-0 record from seven starts, with his only loss

coming as head second following a troubled trip in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile

(G1) last season. Regular rider Garrett Gomez has piloting duties once again.

Lookin at Lucky's biggest threat on Saturday should come from SIDNEY'S CANDY

(Candy Ride [Arg]). The John Sadler trainee has captured his last two over Santa

Anita's Pro-Ride, drawing off to an impressive 4 1/4-length victory in the San

Vicente S. (G2) and posting a half-length score in the San Felipe S. (G2). The

chestnut, who is the 3-1 second favorite on the morning-line, will break from

the 4 post in this one, which should aid his front-running ways under Joe

Talamo.

CARACORTADO (Cat Dreams) will be looking for revenge on Sidney's Candy

following a third-place finish behind that one in the San Felipe. That

was the Mike Machowsky runner's only loss from six starts to date and, like Lookin at Lucky, the chestnut will be trying to make it his only loss. He's the

5-1 third choice with Paul Atkinson in the saddle.

ALPHIE'S BET (Tribal Rule) is the only runner in the Santa Anita Derby who

has actually won at the distance. That victory came on March 6 in the Sham S.

(G3), where the Alexis Barba-conditioned bay pulled away late to secure the 2

1/4-length win over SETSUKO (Pleasantly Perfect), who was making his stakes bow

in the Sham.

Other interesting Santa Anita Derby prospects include POSSE POWER (Posse),

WHO'S UP (Graeme Hall) and CARDIFF GIANT (Yankee Gentleman). Posse Power will be

trying Pro-Ride for the first time here after spending his prior six career

starts on the Tapeta at Golden Gate Fields. He enters this race following a

third in the El Camino Real Derby (G3) in his black-type bow. Who's Up will be

making his first start since capturing the Generous S. (G3) at Hollywood Park

last November, and will be saddled by new trainer Mike Puhich. Cardiff Giant

will probably enjoy revisiting the Pro-Ride following a below-par fifth-place

effort in the Rebel last out. He, too, will be running for Puhich, while

returning to the site of his San Rafael S. (G3) second.

Allowance scorers THOMAS BAINES (Johannesburg) and SKIPSHOT (Skip Away) round

out the Santa Anita Derby field.

Santa Anita will host a total of four stakes on Saturday, with the $150,000

Arcadia

H. (G2) highlighting the undercard events. Multiple Grade 2 king BATTLE OF

HASTINGS (GB) (Royal Applause [GB]) is looking for his first win since taking

last year's Virginia Derby (G2). Since then, the Jeff Mullins trainee has run

second by a nose in the Del Mar Derby (G2), fourth in the Shadwell Turf Mile

(G1), second by a head in the Oak Tree Derby (G2) and second in the Hollywood

Derby (G1).

In his seasonal debut, the four-year-old recorded a third-placing in the

Frank E. Kilroe Mile H. (G1) and will have to face the nose runner-up from that

event again here in this one-mile turf test. FLUKE (Brz) (Wild Event) captured

the Citation H. (G1) in November, then returned to lead nearly all the way home

in the Kilroe Mile, just getting nipped on the line while holding Battle of

Hastings by 1 1/4 lengths. BLUE CHAGALL (Fr) (Testa Rossa), fourth in the Kilroe

Mile, is also part of this seven-horse field.

A field of 10 three-year-old fillies will get their turn on the turf when

going 1 1/8 miles in the $150,000

Providencia S. (G2). CAMILLE C (Roman Dancer), runner-up in the China Doll

S. last out over course and distance, will try to turn the tables on the winner CITY TO CITY (City Zip). WARREN'S JITTERBUG

(Affirmative), who just missed winning the Santa Anita Oaks (G1) by three necks,

and Santa Anita Oaks fifth-placer COZI ROSIE (Pleasantly Perfect) are also in

the Providencia.

Nine sprinters are set to line up in the $150,000

Potrero Grande H. (G2) going 6 1/2 furlongs, including EATON'S GIFT

(Johannesburg), winner of last year's Smile Sprint H. (G2); Triple Bend H. (G1)

runner-up RUSH WITH THUNDER (Tribal Rule); and VENTANA (Toccet), second in the

San Carlos H. (G2) and Palos Verdes H. (G2) in his two starts so far this year.