Drill defeated American Act by a nose to win the $150,000 San
Vicente Stakes (Grade II) and snap a five-race skid on Sunday at Santa
Anita, although trainer Bob Baffert isn't rushing him onto the Kentucky
Derby trail. An on-track crowd of 11,023 were held spellbound the final
furlong and the result was very much in doubt until the photo finish
camera established the official order of finish.
Ridden by Martin Garcia, Drill ran seven furlongs in 1:21.28 and paid $9.60 and $5 at 7-2 odds.
American Act, who battled back gamely at the rail under Martin
Pedroza, returned $4, while 1-2 favorite Creative Cause was another
length back in third. Let's Get Crackin was fourth. There was no show
wagering after Smoking G and Captain Obvious were scratched, leaving a
field of four to contest one of the most important preps to the Grade I
Santa Anita Derby on April 7.
Drill trailed pacesetter American Act most of the way until
taking a small lead with a furlong to go and barely holding off his
rival under Garcia's urging.
Drill is nominated to the Triple Crown series, but Baffert
said he doesn't think the colt wants to run the Kentucky Derby distance
of 1 1-4 miles.
"I wouldn't run out and buy a future book (bet) on him," said
the Hall of Fame trainer, who is loaded with other Derby candidates.
"He'd have to prove something to me going long. He's one-turn right now.
In time he might be able to do it because he's learned to relax."
Drill's co-owner, Mike Pegram, agreed.
"This is a Breeders' Cup horse," he said. "I don't know which Breeders' Cup race. We'll just let him sort himself out."
Drill was trying to turn things around after not visiting the
winner's circle since Sept. 7, when he won the Del Mar Futurity against
Creative Cause. He was fifth in the San Pedro Stakes at Santa Anita on
Jan. 22.
Pegram said three of Drill's previous losses were "throwout"
races, but he had no excuse for a ninth-place finish in the CashCall
Futurity on Dec. 11.
"He came out of those races really well. He always shows so
much energy, he's taken a lot and he's handled it," Baffert said. "But
today I could tell he was more relaxed in the race and he got an easy
trip. That helps, too."
Creative Cause was fourth in the early going before getting up
for third in his first start since finishing third in the Breeders' Cup
Juvenile in November. He now has $506,000 in graded stakes earnings,
all but assuring him a starting spot in the Kentucky Derby, which uses
such earnings to determine its full 20-horse field.
"We got what we wanted out of the race. He's a route horse,
not a seven-furlong horse," trainer Mike Harrington said. "We hope he
moves forward off this. Did you see him gallop out? He'll definitely
move forward."
Harrington has another Kentucky Derby candidate in Empire
Way, who finished second in the 1 1/16 miles Robert Lewis Stakes
(Grade II) earlier this month at Santa Anita. The trainer, like Baffert,
is carefully juggling his colts' schedules so they don't run against
each other. Harrington said his next target will be the $300,000 San
Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita on March 10 for one of them.
"I don't know which one," he said.
Whichever of Harrington's horses doesn't run in the San Felipe
is possible for the $500,000 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park on March 17.
Baffert is considering the San Felipe for Fed Biz or Liaison,
two more of his top Kentucky Derby candidates. Another hopeful, BC
Juvenile Sprint winner Secret Circle, is at Oaklawn awaiting a start in
Monday's $250,000 Southwest Stakes.