ARCADIA, Calif. — Lookin At Lucky can finish among the top three in today’s Santa Anita Derby, and Bob Baffert will be satisfied.
“It’s not a do-or-die race for me,” the Hall of Fame trainer said, even though it would be his record sixth victory in the $750,000 West Coast prep for the Kentucky Derby. “If he’s fit and healthy, he carries me the rest of the way.”
And where Baffert hopes his colt ends up is in the winner’s circle at Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May.
Lookin At Lucky will break from the No. 7 post as the early 4-5 favorite in a field of 10. San Vicente and San Felipe winner Sidney’s Candy is the 3-1 second choice and is expected to set the pace.
In today’s other major preps, Eskendereya is a similar 4-5 favorite for the $750,000 Wood Memorial at New York’s Aqueduct. His challengers include Gotham winner Awesome Act.
In Chicago, Backtalk is the 3-1 favorite in the Illinois Derby at Hawthorne.
Blind Luck wins Fantasy
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. — Blind Luck overtook Tidal Pool in the stretch in the $300,000 Fantasy Stakes at Oaklawn Park, winning by 2 1/2 lengths.
