Santa Anita Derby

Brother Derek established himself as one of the top Derby contenders Saturday (Benoit Photos)

Cecil Peacock's BROTHER DEREK (Benchmark) clearly fortified his position as

the top three-year-old on the West Coast, if not the entire country, with a

dominating effort in the $750,000

Santa Anita Derby (G1) on Saturday. The

sophomore colt broke well beneath Alex Solis and took the lead after just a few jumps, setting mild fractions of :23 3/5, :47 2/5 and 1:11 1/5 for the initial six panels.

As the leader took them into the turn for home, Corey Nakatani aboard A. P.

Warrior (A.P. Indy) challenged but was quickly repelled, as Brother

Derek switched gears and spurted clear of that one in just a few strides. The

final margin of victory was 3 1/4 lengths and the prohibitive 1-2 choice was

good for $3, $2.40 and $2.10 while finishing off nine furlongs in a stellar 1:48

for trainer Dan Hendricks.

"This horse is a monster," Solis said. "Just incredible. He keeps

impressing me more and more each race he runs. What you saw today was his

natural pace, and he came home very nicely. Like I said, he's an amazing horse."

Point Determined (Point Given) appeared to be backing up turning for home,

but found more and closed with good energy to be second. The 7-2 second choice

returned $2.80 and $2.10 while completing the skimpy $3.70 exacta ($1). A. P.

Warrior tired some late to be third at 4-1, and finished off the

paltry $6.40 trifecta ($1). It was 14 1/4 lengths back to Sacred Light (Holy

Bull), who lost all chance when going to his nose leaving the gate, and

another head to Wildfang (Broken Vow). Indy Wildcat (A.P. Indy) was withdrawn.