April 3 – Santa Anita Derby Grade – Santa Anita – 1 1/8 Miles
The Santa Anita Derby at the Santa Anita track was an extremely dramatic race with a dramatic ending. The horses behind Sidney’s Candy were the cause of the drama this race produced even though he led the entire way to win the race. The tempers of jockey Garrett Gomez and trainer Bob Baffert were set off by the horse Lookin At Lucky.
Jockey Joe Talamo got a Kentucky Derby contender by Sidney’s Candy win by 4 ½ lengths and this horse was also leading all the Kentucky Derby Odds. To win for the May 1 Kentucky Derby Sidney’s Candy ran 1 1/8 mile in 1:48.00. Before being in the incident that ensued Lookin at Lucky was fourth much of the race.
Gomez was forced to stand up in the saddle as Lookin at Lucky who took up near the five sixteenths pole, appeared to get squeezed down along the rail, the drama surrounding the race unfolded. As the other horses, Who’s up and Alphie’s Bet finished behind Lookin At Lucky and ended up being no disqualification.
Near the scales where the riders, eight out after the race, a very angry Gomez went after Espinoza, who rode Who’s up. Before they were separated by the authorities Gomez landed some hard punches on Espinoza. When asked about the incident, Gomez said, “That’s between me and him.” The owner told reporters that Gomez would continue to race the horse, but that he was disappointed.
$9.60, $5.40 and $3 were paid by Sidney’s Candy. Lookin At Lucky paid $2.10 to show while Setsuko returned $10 and $4.80. Caracortado was fourth followed by Skipshot, Salphie’s Bet, Thomas Baines, Posse Power, Who’s Up, and Cardiff Giant.
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