By DRF.com
ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 2, 2023) — The Grade 1 Runhappy Santa Anita Derby next Saturday added two starters on Sunday with the inclusion of a well-regarded contender in National Treasure and the California-bred longshot One in Vermillion, their trainers said Sunday.
National Treasure, third in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Keeneland in November, is more likely to start in the $750,000 Santa Anita Derby than Saturday’s Grade 1 Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland. Trainer Tim Yakteen allowed that there is “small chance” National Treasure could be shipped to Kentucky.
National Treasure was third in the Grade 3 Sham Stakes at Santa Anita on Jan. 8 in his lone start so far this year. National Treasure was withdrawn from the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita on March 4 because of a tender foot, but has had a steady sequence of workouts since mid-March.
One in Vermillion, based in Arizona, was fifth in the Grade 3 Sunland Derby at Sunland Park on March 26. He has five Kentucky Derby qualifying points, earned with that finish.
National Treasure and One in Vermillion join Dazzlemesilver, Geaux Rocket Ride, I Don’t Get It, Mandarin Hero, Practical Move and Skinner as probable starters in the West Coast’s leading prep for the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 6.
The Santa Anita Derby field may gain another runner before entries are taken on Wednesday.
Low Expectations, second in the Grade 3 Sunland Derby at Sunland Park on March 26, is a candidate, according to trainer Antonio Garcia.
One in Vermillion was fractious in the gate before the Sunland Derby and was never a factor, finishing 12 3/4 lengths behind Wild On Ice. Trainer Esteban Martinez said on Sunday that One in Vermillion has undergone extensive gate schooling in recent days, which will continue in advance of the $750,000 Santa Anita Derby at 1 1/8 miles.
“I think he was in the gate too long,” Martinez said. “He’s good now. I’m sure he’ll be better this time.”
Bred by Richard Barton Enterprises and owned by Jonathan Kalman, One in Vermillion will start for California-based trainer Eric Kruljac in the Santa Anita Derby. Martinez rides One in Vermillion in daily exercise and said he will do so in advance of the Santa Anita Derby.
One in Vermillion has won 3 of 5 starts, with all the wins in stakes ranging in distances from five furlongs to a mile. One in Vermillion led throughout the Riley Allison Derby at a mile at Sunland Park in his 3-year-old debut on Jan. 29.
The colt was briefly stranded at Martinez’s base at Turf Paradise in late February when that track was under quarantine because of an EHV-1 positive. Martinez had considered One in Vermillion for the San Felipe Stakes in the weeks prior to the race.
Martinez acknowledged that One in Vermillion will be a longshot in the Santa Anita Derby, but said the California-bred colt has an outsider’s chance for a top-three finish.
“I think he can be right there,” he said.
Garcia said Low Expectations is under consideration for the Santa Anita Derby or the Grade 2 Lexington Stakes at 1 1/16 miles at Keeneland on April 15. Garcia said race goals will be finalized after discussions with owner Paul Reddam, who owns the gelding with his wife, Zillah.
Low Expectations had his stakes debut in the Sunland Derby, closing from fourth to finish 1 1/2 lengths behind Wild On Ice. Low Expectations won a $50,000 claimer for maidens at a mile at Santa Anita on Jan. 15, and followed with a win in an optional claimer-starter allowance at a mile on March 3.
“I think he deserves another chance at a big race,” Garcia said. “He seems like he’s putting his mind together and getting mature.”
On Sunday, Practical Move, Geaux Rocket Ride and Skinner, the first three finishers of the San Felipe, had their final workouts, all at five furlongs.