Practical Move tops nine in Santa Anita Derby

Apr 06, 2023 James Scully/TwinSpires.com

The Road to the Kentucky Derby series in California concludes
with Saturday’s $750,000 Santa Anita Derby (G1), a major qualifier awarding
points on a 100-40-30-20-10. Triple Crown winner Justify was the last horse to
complete the Santa Anita Derby-Kentucky Derby sweep in 2018, and four of the
last 11 Kentucky
Derby winners have competed in the Santa Anita Derby.

Nine runners are set for the 1 1/8-mile race, and here are
three talking points.

1.
Practical Move seeks third consecutive stakes win

A convincing winner of December’s Los Alamitos Futurity
(G2), Practical Move will go favored
in the Santa Anita Derby after opening his three-year-old season with a 2 1/2-length
score in the San Felipe (G2) on March 4. The Tim Yakteen-trained
colt likes to race up close and surged to a clear lead leaving the far turn
last time, cruising home unopposed, and Practical Move’s Brisnet Speed ratings for the last two starts (105 and 102)
are imposing.

Ramon Vasquez retains the mount. By Practical Joke, who
doesn’t inspire confidence for Triple Crown distances, Practical Move appears
to draw plenty of stamina from his dam side. He’s out of a mare by 2005 Preakness
(G1) and Belmont (G1) winner Afleet Alex.

2. Geaux
Rocket Ride, Skinner back from San Felipe; National Treasure returns from break

San Felipe runner-up Geaux
Rocket Ride and third-placer Skinner
are among the top challengers, and both will seek to keep advancing upon their
stakes debut.

A smashing six-furlong debut winner in late January, Geaux
Rocket Ride delivered a commendable performance when stretching out to face
stakes rivals in the San Felipe, holding second throughout. Trained by Richard
Mandella, the Candy Ride colt looks like the one to catch from his inside post
with Flavien Prat.

Skinner needed four starts to break his maiden, graduating
by open lengths in mid-February, and the late-running Curlin colt rallied from
far back to grab third in the San Felipe. His last two Speed ratings are
strong, and long-striding Skinner has upside and a Kentucky Derby-winning
trainer (John Shirreffs).

National Treasure
was transferred from Bob Baffert to Yakteen for a Kentucky Derby bid, but the
multiple Grade 1-placed colt missed a planned start in the San Felipe due to a minor
foot issue. He’s worked fast and steadily over the last month, and National
Treasure remains a dangerous presence. The stalker retains the services of John
Velazquez.

3. Japanese
invader Mandarin Hero adds intrigue

Mandarin Hero has
shipped stateside to become the first Japanese horse to compete in the Santa
Anita Derby, and he’s a mystery.

Given their significant impact internationally, recently
accounting for the top four finishers in the UAE Derby (G2), Japanese horses can’t
be openly dismissed in any spot. Mandarin Hero has won four of five starts,
finishing second in the lone setback, but he’s been racing at a lesser circuit. The
Japanese-bred son of Shanghai Bobby has never competed against Derma Sotogake
and Continuar, who are both Kentucky Derby-bound from Japan.