Iron Rob (Twirling Candy) and Denman's Call (Northern Afleet), the top two finishers in the six-furlong San Pedro S. Mar. 20, are being pointed at the 1 1/8-mile GI Santa Anita Derby Apr. 9.
Kretz Racing's Iron Rob broke his maiden at seventh asking at Los Alamitos last December and faded to last behind GIII Robert B. Lewis S. third I Will Score (Roman Ruler) next out in an Arcadia optional claimer Jan. 3. Besting just three other rivals when winning the Baffle S. there Feb. 21, he sprung a 9-1 upset over 2-5 chalk Denman's Call in the San Pedro last time.
“We'll try to stretch him out,” trainer George Papaprodromou said. “It's worth taking a shot.”
Gilman Racing, Westside Rentals.com and W.C. Racing's Denman's Call followed a debut win at Santa Anita Jan. 9 with a third behind undefeated champion stablemate Nyquist (Uncle Mo) in the GII San Vicente S. Feb. 15 prior to his runner-up effort last time. With that rival headed to the GI Florida Derby in hopes of securing the $1 million Fasig-Tipton bonus in a showdown with Mohaymen (Tapit), Denman's Call will face the likes of Mor Spirit (Eskendereya), Exaggerator (Curlin) and Danzing Candy (Twirling Candy).
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