The Deputy winner of the Santa Anita Derby

The Santa Anita Derby

Dateline: 04/08/00

The Santa Anita Derby has a rich history as an important prep for the Kentucky Derby yielding such winners as Silver Charm, Sunday Silence, and Winning Colors plus Triple Crown winner Affirmed. The 63rd running was a very talented field of six who all had a legitimate chance to advance along the Kentucky Derby trail.

The Deputy came through for his backers and won by a length over War Chant in a thrilling stretch duel. His win made Jenine Sahadi the first woman trainer to win the race and after the comments made by Bob Baffert at the post position draw it had to be even sweeter. Neil Drysdale's War Chant was a game second while Baffert's Captain Steve was two more lengths back in third. The filly Surfside lead for the first mile in 1:36.50 but faded back to fifth, beaten 8 1/2 lengths, which probably ends any thoughts about the Kentucky Derby for her. Last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Anees trailed early hen rallied for fourth so he may go on to the big dance but the jury is still out on whether he has had enough conditioning to go a mile and a quarter yet. Cocky, who had looked promising, never showed anything. The top four finishers have already said they are heading to Louisville and the Kentucky Derby.

Pgm  Horse              Jockey            Win   Place  Show
 5   The Deputy         McCarron         6.80    3.40  2.60
 4   War Chant          Bailey                   3.40  2.80
 2   Captain Steve      Albarado                       3.00

Winning Time:  1:49.08

Also ran: 3 - Anees, 1 - Surfside, 6 - Cocky

$2 Exacta 4-5              8.80
$2 Quinella 4-5            7.80
$1 Trifecta 5-4-2         32.80

The Deputy in the post parade. He looked gorgeous and ran a marvelous stalking race and was game in the stretch when War Chant pressured him.

The field goes by for the first time with Surfside on the lead on the inside, War Chant just to her outside, and The Deputy outside him.

The finish of the Santa Anita Derby with The Deputy a length in front of War Chant. Expect both of these to head to Churchill Downs.

There was a HUGE crowd in the winner's circle with all the Team Valor connections.

Surfside enters the paddock for the Santa Anita Derby. She looked good and gave a good effort but fell short. Her jockey, Pat Day, said she doesn't like this track and there was no commitment as to future plans for her.

Captain Steve in the paddock prior to the race. He looked good and made a bit of a rally at the end. Baffert says he is still headed to the Kentucky Derby.

War Chant in the post parade. He ran a nice race stalking the pace set by Surfside but he just couldn't hold off The Deputy. He is still headed to the Kentucky Derby.

There were two other stakes on the card. The first was the Potero Grande Breeders' Cup Handicap for the sprinters at 6.5 furlongs. Kona Gold ran down early pace setter Lexicon to win off by 4 1/2 lengths in 1:14.75. Old Topper was second.

The other stakes was the El Rincon Handicap at 1 1/8 miles on the turf. Longshot Falcon Flight (on the outside) rallied to catch Bonapartiste at the wire in 1:47.88.

More articles and info:

• Santa Anita
• Santa Anita Derby from Equibase - free program, past performances, ChartPlus, and articles
• Past performances and Thoro-Graph sheets from DRF
• Glenners' Picks
• Results of our poll - you guys were right on the money with The Deputy getting 30% of the vote and War Chant next with 21%
• Live Audio
• Current weather
• Scratches and changes
• Results Chart from Equibase (available late Saturday)
• News Index Search to find Spiral Stakes articles

• Baffert tries for third straight Santa Anita Derby win from Fox Sports
• SA Derby Draw Resembles Heavy-Weight Fight from Blood Horse (scroll down a bit)

• Past Santa Anita Derby winners from Fox Sports

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