Tom Pedulla offers takeaways from major Kentucky Derby (G1) prep races held on each coast April 5, the Santa Anita Derby (G1) in California and the 100th Wood Memorial Stakes (G2) at Aqueduct. He also looks at international action at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai highlighted by the Dubai World Cup (G1) and the United Arab Emirates Derby (G2).
DESERVING FAVORITE: Journalism will head to Louisville as the Kentucky Derby favorite after he overcame a ton of trouble to win the Santa Anita Derby by three-quarters of a length against Baeza. It was the fourth consecutive victory, the last three against graded stakes company, for Journalism after he finished third in his Oct. 27 debut for trainer Michael McCarthy. And it was most impressive as he and jockey Umberto Rispoli escaped after seeming to be hopelessly pinned on the rail. "That's such a good animal to be able to get out of there," Rispoli said. "It's rare for a horse to get held up at the three-eighths pole and to get back in the race in that way. It's always difficult, especially for such a big horse. But he has just an amazing style and is such an amazing horse." The son of two-time Horse of the Year Curlin figures to relish the Derby's 1 1/4-mile distance.
BLINKERS OFF: Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert made a critical adjustment at an ideal time when he decided to remove blinkers from Rodriguez for the Wood Memorial. He and jockey Mike Smith were rewarded with an emphatic 3 1/2-length decision against Grande. "His last two works were really strong here so I felt really good as long as he didn't get too worked up, he'd be good," Baffert said. "I think with taking the blinkers off, he relaxed a lot better. It was just a beautiful run and I'm just happy and blessed to have a horse like that." Rodriguez is a son of Authentic , who won the rescheduled 2020 Kentucky Derby on the first Saturday in September due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
SUPER HELP: With $12 million on the line in the Dubai World Cup, trainer Brad Cox had enough confidence in his staff that he remained in Kentucky to focus on his Kentucky Derby and Oaks prospects while they saddled Hit Show to victory at Meydan Racecourse, securing a berth in the Nov. 1 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Del Mar. "I would have loved to be there but just with so much going on with these 3-year-olds and trying to get to the Derby, I couldn't make it," Cox said. "However, he was in good hands with the people I sent over with him. It's a great accomplishment and we have a great team that allows us to spread ourselves out and travel when the opportunities are there."
MUCH TO ADMIRE: Admire Daytona provided Japan with its fourth consecutive UAE Derby win when he barely edged Heart Of Honor in a photo finish. In doing so, the victor secured a Kentucky Derby berth. Trainer Yukihiro Kato said that the connections look forward to taking advantage of that opportunity. Admire Daytona followed Crown Pride, Derma Sotogake and Forever Young as Japan-based UAE Derby victors. Forever Young finished third in last year's Run for the Roses as part of a scintillating photo finish. Christophe Lemaire, who rides Admire Daytona, recognizes how challenging the Derby will be. "For sure, he can go to Kentucky. But it is such a difficult race to win," he said. "It is one of the most iconic races in the world and we have to go if we can."
BACK TO BACK: Winning the Godolphin Mile (G2) once is no mean feat. Now, trainer Doug O'Neill has accomplished that three times, including consecutive scores with Two Rivers Over last year and now Raging Torrent. "I was confident, but that's why you run these races. You never know," O'Neill said. "He had a good clean break, got the lead, got a little breather mid-race. Speed was always going to be his strength. I'm on cloud nine and I've got to thank everyone here." O'Neill won his first Godolphin Mile with Spring at Last in 2007. His accomplishment pales, though, in comparison to legendary jockey Frankie Dettori. He of the flying dismount racked up his eighth Godolphin Mile.
