California-Based Horses Secure Spots in Kentucky Derby: So Happy and Potente Lead the Pack
Two California-based horses, So Happy and Potente, have secured spots in the Kentucky Derby after winning major qualifying races. So Happy, trained by Mark Glatt, and Potente, trained by Bob Baffert, finished first and second in the Santa Anita Derby. Intrepido, trained by Jeff Mullins, could also make it to the Kentucky Derby if at least four horses withdraw from the current field of 20. Post positions for the Kentucky Derby will be determined on April 25.
Stark Contrast, trained by Michael McCarthy, finished 17th on the list after a second-place finish in the Jeff Ruby. However, Stark Contrast is among several 3-year-olds who are likely to skip the Derby and compete in other races. The top 25 horses in qualifying order include Correspondent, Further Ado, Renegade, So Happy, Fulleffort, The Puma, Silent Tactic, Emerging Market, Albus, Potente, Pavlovian, Right to Party, Incredibolt, Golden Tempo, Ottinho, Class President, Stark Contrast, Danon Bourbon, Wonder Dean, Six Speed, Iron Honor, Chief Wallabee, Chip Honcho, Intrepido, and Universe.
Santa Anita will not have races this week but will open its Hollywood Meet on April 17. The final standings for the Classic Meet show Emisael Jaramillo leading in wins with 50, followed by Juan Hernandez with 42 and Kazushi Kimura with 38. Among trainers, Doug O’Neill has the most wins with 36, followed by Mark Glatt with 28 and Bob Baffert with 25. Other top trainers include Jeff Mullins, Michael McCarthy, George Papaprodromou, Phil D’Amato, Steve Knapp, Leonard Powell, and John Sadler.
At Los Alamitos on Saturday, the $35,000 Virginia Hyland Stakes will feature quarter-horse fillies and mares aged 3 and up competing over 350 yards.