The Grade I Santa Anita Derby, being an important qualifier in the Road to the Kentucky Derby series, had a thrilling stretch struggle that produced a memorable result. Four of the previous 11 Kentucky Derby winners were from the 1 1/8-mile event.
- Practical Move sending a message once more to his challengers
Practical Move briefly seemed to put competitors away as he surged ahead in the upper stretch after resounding victories in the San Felipe (G2) and Los Alamitos Futurity (G2), but his stamina was ultimately put to the test in the final sixteenth of a mile when Mandarin Hero and Skinner made bids.
With his rider, Ramon Vazquez, the stalker lost a stride but immediately gained it back to take up his usual position a few lengths off the pace. Practical Move then made an early move approaching the far turn and rapidly gained a small lead by the end of the stretch.
Given the dearth of speed lining up for the first leg of the Triple Crown, Practical Move’s hard-fought victory may turn out to be advantageous. He established himself as a strong Kentucky Derby candidate.
The lanky son of Practical Joke, Practical Move, got a 100 Brisnet Speed rating, his third straight triple-digit score, and he appears to be well-built for the 1 1/4-mile distance. When Churchill Downs opens for the Kentucky Derby Betting, it will allow us to determine whether he is competent.
- The Japanese are coming to take it all
Mandarin Hero deserves major respect following a stunning performance in his U.S. debut. Japanese horses are having a significant international influence. The colt, trained by Terunobu Fujita, has placed second twice out of six starts. The Japanese-bred son of Shanghai Bobby was given the mount by Kazushi Kimura of Santa Anita.
Currently sitting 24th with 40 points in the Kentucky Derby standing, accruing points on the road to this Derby has been a major problem for Mandarin Hero. His rival Rich Strike was 27th at this point in the previous season, and so whether Mandarin Hero may be able to gain four defections remains to be seen. Attrition is always a factor in the lead-up to the first Saturday in May.
In this century, foreign-based Kentucky Derby competitors have skipped the U.S. prep race at age three and instead shipped directly to Churchill to finish the course. Derma Soto Gake and Continuar, two Japanese horses making their U.S. debuts in the 2023 Kentucky Derby, don’t bring their best game, and the cultural shift will be a problem.
Mandarin Hero would be more equipped to manage the situation if he made the pitch. The Santa Anita Derby preparation gives an advantage, and Mandarin Hero will try to create a roadmap for international contenders.
- Skinner looking more serious ahead of Kentucky Derby
Skinner has improved admirably since beginning his sophomore year with a maiden victory in mid-February and placing third in the San Felipe and Santa Anita Derbys, where he failed to win in three attempts the previous year. The bay horse finished nearly four lengths behind Practical Move in the San Felipe after getting off to a terrible start, but Skinner ahead of the Kentucky Derby appeared more serious in the Santa Anita Derby.
He bravely fought back when wide on the far turn to get into a dangerous position by the top stretch, and Skinner kept working all the way to come up just short, earning a career-high 99 Brisnet Speed rating. The son of Curlin is ridden by three-time Kentucky Derby champion Victor Espinoza, who also trained the son of Curlin. Skinner would give the Derby field a developing late kick.
With 45 points and a 21st-place rating in the Kentucky Derby standings, Skinner still needs assistance, but there is always at least one defector in the weeks preceding the first Saturday in May.
