Texas Red on target for Santa Anita Derby

Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) winner Texas Red (Afleet Alex) remains on course

for the $1 million Santa Anita Derby (G1) on April 4 as he swims his way back from an abscess on

his right front foot following a sharp second in his three-year-old debut in the San

Vicente S. (G2) on February 1.

The ultimate goal for the bay colt, of course, is

the Kentucky Derby (G1) on May 2 at Churchill Downs.

"He'll continue swimming and doing Aqua Tred, probably

until the end of the month," trainer Keith Desormeaux said Friday morning.

"We'll try to get him in (to Santa Anita) around March 1 and crank him up again.

"The reports are all good; the thing's still draining, but he's always been

sound on it. Since it popped, it's drained, but he's good. I just want to give

him plenty of time to recover. He missed the race we were pointing for anyway

(Saturday's Risen Star S. [G2] at Fair Grounds) so the Santa Anita Derby's the

goal now.

"I just don't need to rush him back; that's the mindset."

Texas Red is currently rehabbing at Premier Equine Center,

which is located in Oakdale, about five hours north of Santa Anita in

California's Central Valley.

Bet Horseracing Free Online at TwinSpires.com