From Santa Anita Publicity
ARCADIA, CA (May 7, 2023) — California-bred One in Vermillion was resting comfortably at Santa Anita Sunday morning one day after upsetting the seven-furlong Lazaro Barrera for 3-year-olds.
One in Vermillion’s 5 ¼-length win as the longest shot on the board was his fourth stakes win and first for trainer Eric Kruljac. The Army Mule colt, bred by Richard Barton Enterprises, made his first five starts at Turf Paradise and Sunland Park for trainer Esteban Martinez. Last year, he won the Turf Paradise Open Spring Futurity and Lost in the Fog Juvenile, also at Turf Paradise. He returned to win the Riley Allison Derby on Jan. 29 before running fifth in the GIII Sunland Park Derby.
One in Vermillion joined Kruljac’s stable ahead of the GI Santa Anita Derby on April 8 where he ran fifth at 53-1. Cut back to an elongated sprint distance in the Lazaro Barrera, One in Vermillion broke in front under Hector Berrios and was never headed. He extended his lead in the stretch to win by 5 ½ lengths over 2-1 second choice Navy Man.
“He came out of the race in fine fettle. All is good,” Kruljac said Sunday morning from Del Mar.
What’s next for One in Vermillion remains to be determined. He is the first racehorse owned by Jonathan Kalman, who bought the colt for just $26,000 at the 2021 Arizona Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association Fall Mixed sale. One in Vermillion has since banked $242,000 with a record of 4-1-0 in seven starts.
Kruljac indicated One in Vermillion could be sent to Canterbury Park in Minnesota for the summer with Turf Paradise’s meet ending Sunday.
“I’m not sure what the owner is going to do, whether he’s going to send him to Minnesota or not,” Kruljac said. “But he would certainly fit well here in the Cal-bred program.”
One in Vermillion added to what’s been a productive weekend for the Kruljac family. On Friday, Eric’s son Ian Kruljac won a statebred allowance with the promising 3-year-old Clouseau. It was the son of Distorted Humor’s third win in four starts since being switched to dirt.
“It’s been a good week for the Kruljacs,” Eric Kruljac said.