Dortmund On Target for Santa Anita Derby

Dortmund (Big Brown), who took his record to a perfect five-for-five with his win in Saturday’s GII San Felipe S., exited the race in fine shape and remains on target for the Apr. 4 GI Santa Anita Derby. 

“It was a walk in the park for him,” trainer Bob Baffert said of his charge’s 1 1/4-length victory. 

San Felipe runner-up Prospect Park (Tapit) and third-place finisher Bolo (Temple City) are also considered likely for the Santa Anita Derby. 

“He came out of the race great,” trainer Clifford Sise, Jr. said of Prospect Park, who was making his stakes debut Saturday. “I talked to [co-owner and breeder] Marty [Wygod] and he’s very happy with the way he ran. We feel like he’ll run all day and with the trip he had yesterday, we’ve got a pretty fresh horse this morning.” 

Ocho Ocho Ocho (Street Sense), who suffered the first loss of his four-race career when eighth in the San Felipe, is also likely to start in the Santa Anita Derby. 

“He’s a little cut up,” trainer Jim Cassidy said Sunday morning. “Both front legs have some lacerations on them. He had a rough trip. It happened from the gate and then at the first turn. Mike [Smith] said, ‘Just throw the race out. I never got a chance.’” Asked if maybe the Santa Anita Derby would be next, Cassidy said, “No maybe about it. If he’s breathing, he’s running.” 

Arnold Zetcher’s Firing Line (Line of David) is also under consideration for the Santa Anita Derby after working five furlongs in 1:00.80 Sunday at Santa Anita. “We could run there or the [Mar. 22 GIII] Sunland Derby,” trainer Simon Callaghan said. “We haven’t made up our minds yet. I was very happy with the work.”