AZUL COAST REIGNS SUPREME IN EL CAMINO REAL DERBY
The Bob Baffert trained Azul Coast boasted his superiority in Saturday’s $100,000 El Camino Real Derby, stalking the pace before turning away a pair of Northern California entrees to win the 39th running of one of Northern California’s most prestigious horse races.
Sent off at favored odds of 7-5, Azul Coast sat fourth in the early stages. Under the guidance of winning jockey Rafael Bejarano, the son of Super Saver peeled three-wide for the stretch, turned away eventual third-place finisher Indian Peak and disposed of another rival, second-place finisher American Farmer, in a driving finish.
“I figured he would get a good trip,” said Bejarano, who is based in Southern California year-round. “He was going well the entire time under me and he showed me a real nice kick when [second place finisher American Farmer] tried to come get us at the sixteenth pole.”
Bob Baffert was certainly pleased with the effort.
“[Azul Coast] handled the Tapeta well,” said Baffert immediately following the race. “The Sunland Derby is a possibility. I don’t know yet, though. There are so many options and [all of the stakes quality 3-year-olds] will be nominated everywhere.”
Local contenders American Farmer and Indian Peak put up good showings, finishing second and third respectively, and are expected to stay local for the time being. If all goes to plan, they may show up in the California Derby or Silky Sullivan Stakes on Gold Rush Weekend.
CALIFORNIA-BRED COLT AWESOME SUMMER IMPRESSES IN MAIDEN WIN
Three-year-old colt Awesome Summer was well-meant heading into his career debut on December 29. Sent off as the 9-5 favorite for veteran horseman Bob Hess Sr., the son of Vronsky sat off the pace, charged late at the eventual winner but missed by a head while settling for a runner up placing.
The aforementioned run was a good starting point. In his second lifetime start last Sunday, Awesome Summer stalked the pace before dashing clear in the final furlong, hitting the wire five lengths ahead and galloping out with plenty left in the tank. The one-mile effort left plenty to be desired.
“We always knew he was a talented horse,” said Hess Sr. “He can run all day. In both of his races, he shot out of the gate and relaxed nicely. He’s so easy to ride and control. He breaks, settles into a nice stride and when [the jockey] smooches at him he goes, ‘Alright, let’s roll.’ He’s a very nice colt.”
Hess mentioned two potential long-range goals, both on Gold Rush Weekend: the $100,000 California Derby on April 25 or the Silky Sullivan Stakes for California-bred three-year-olds over turf on April 26.
“The races are one day apart,” said Hess. “If we get to that weekend, we’ll pick out a spot and go for it.”
With a chuckle and a wink, Hess then quipped, “Back in the day, some people were willing to run their horses 24 hours apart. I haven’t done that lately.”
Awesome Summer is out of the Siberian Summer mare Summer Swimmer, who never raced. She has produced two other babies. Her 2014 foal, Summersimage, won the 2019 Oak Tree Sprint at Pleasanton and sports seven career victories. Oh Jerry, born in 2015, is a two-time sprint winner.
Hess Sr. also noted that impressive February 9 maiden winner Resilient was privately purchased earlier this week by owner Jay Em Ess Racing (Samantha Siegel). Resilient, a California-bred son of Curlin to Mischief, moves to the barn of conditioner Brian Koriner at Santa Anita.
ANNEAU D’OR IN GOOD HEALTH AFTER RISEN STAR STAKES
The talented Anneau D’Or failed to fire in last Saturday’s Risen Star Stakes at the Fair Grounds, drafting behind the leaders for the first three-quarters of the contest before giving way down the stretch. Off at odds of even money, the son of Medaglia D’Oro beat just two horses home in the field of 11.
For trainer Blaine Wright, owner Peter Redekop and fans of the Bay Area Triple Crown nominated colt, it was a disappointing and puzzling performance. He had never run poorly in his life…what happened?
Days removed from the race, Wright indicated Anneau D’Or was doing well, with no apparent excuses.
“I kind of wish I could give [everyone] an excuse as to why he ran the way he did, but he came out of the race just fine,” said Wright. “We did some bloodwork on him and everything came back normal. He scoped clean. He jogged sound down the shedrow. He will resume training at Golden Gate and we’ll decide what to do with him next in the coming weeks.”
Anneau D’Or, runner up in both the Grade 1 Breeders Cup Juvenile and Grade 2 Los Alamitos Futurity last year, earned 12 Kentucky Derby points from the pair of second-place finishes. In order to secure enough points to make the Kentucky Derby on May 2, he would need to finish first or second in a 100-point prep or win a 50-point prep.
“This game is full of peaks and valleys,” concluded Wright. “We’ll hold our heads high and keep taking good care of our horse.”
CLAIMS
Last week’s list of claims is as follows:
Thursday
Race 2: Earnest (trainer Jack Steiner, owner Leon Scott)
Zedekiah (Frank Lucarelli, owner Chad Christensen)
Race 5: Rolinga (Andy Mathis, Mathis & Panian)
Songofthedesert (Jonathan Wong, Johnny Taboada)
Race 6: Brave Cinderella (Tim McCanna, Stable H.M.A)
Friday
Race 9: Colormemoney (Reid France, Hat Trick Racing)
Saturday
Race 2: It’s Big Aine (Cliff DeLima, Barbara DeLima)
Race 4: Gregs City Zip (Cliff DeLima, Barbara DeLima)
Sunday
Race 2: La Waun (Daniel Franko, John Parker)
Race 3: Happy Issue (Reid France, Hat Trick Racing and Pagano)
Race 8: Clem Labine (Pablo De Jesus, Tim Bankers)
Race 9: War Moccasin (Rene Amescua, Richard Barton)
Monday
Race 1: Many Moods (Jonathan Wong, MVJET Stables and Villalobos)
Race 2: Candy’s Martini (Jonathan Wong, MJVET Stables)
Temple View (Jonathan Wong, MJVET Stables & Villalobos)
Race 5: Stand in Your Love (Dan Markle, Kelly & MacLennan)
Race 8: Tuscan Warrior (Monty Meier, Browne Cattle Co.)
FINISH LINES: Leg C of the Stronach 5 wager goes as the third race at Golden Gate Fields on Friday…The Golden Pick Six jackpot wager has exceeded the six-figure mark, with just over $106,000 heading into Friday’s program…Happy birthday to jockey Julien Couton, who celebrates his birthday on Sunday…Trainer Doug O’Neill sends up a trio of runners to compete at Golden Gate Fields this Sunday: maiden special weight contender Exhort in Race 5, Mystery Messenger in Race 8 and Big Cheddar in Race 9…Congrats to local The Adrie Factor, who picked up her second straight stakes win at Turf Paradise in last Saturday’s Arizona Oaks for trainer Jonathan Wong and owner Harley Kowalsky.