Kentucky Derby 2019 Prep Race Recap: Roadster wins SA Derby

A Kentucky Derby 2019 contender trained by Bob Baffert won the Santa Anita Derby on April 6, but not the one you might think. Two-year-old champion Game Winner was nailed in late stretch by his lightly raced stablemate Roadster, and both have secured enough points to run in the Derby.

 


Check out Today's Racing Digest for handicapping products, analysis, and more! Roadster capture above courtesy of Today's Racing Digest.


Santa Anita Derby Top to Bottom Rundown:


1st - Roadster - Was patiently handled by a confident Mike Smith. He was content to sit in 5th place, about five lengths or so behind the top four after six panels. He started making serious inroads while racing outside in the stretch, and got past Game Winner in deep stretch to score by a 1/2 length. This was exactly what you want to see heading into the Derby. He finished up like he wants more ground than a mile and an eighth. The highly regarded colt should only get better as the year progresses. 


2nd - Game Winner - Won all four of his starts last year and has been a bit unlucky in both of his 2019 outings. He missed by a nose in the Rebel Stakes (G2) last month, and he returned in three weeks and was second best again. He stalked wide from the outside post and should have gotten plenty out of both Derby preps this year. 


3rd - Instagrand - He had a flashy juvenile campaign and came back with an okay 3rd in the Gotham Stakes (G3) in New York last month. This was his first two turn test and he set the pace and ended up a clear 3rd. He does not have enough points to run in the Kentucky Derby and that is probably a good thing. His future is probably in shorter events. 


4th - Nolo Contesto - Roadster defeated him in an optional claiming route at Santa Anita last month, and he could not hang with that rival today either. He chased Instagrand and made a run for the lead in the lane but weakened in the final furlong. He has some talent but is a cut or two below the best. 


5th- Synthesis - Chased the pace and steadily retreated as a 66-1 outsider. 


6th- More Ice - Trailed throughout as the longest shot in the field. 


Article by Jarrod Horak


​You can read all of my Derby blogs on my Kentucky Derby 2019 page, and my annual Triple Crown full card analysis from Churchill Downs, Pimlico Race Course, and Belmont Park will be available on my Runaway Horse Sales page later this spring.