Kentucky Derby 2019 Radar: 'Thinking big' with Extra Hope?
Before Thursday’s featured allowance for 3-year-olds at Santa Anita Park, trainer Richard Mandella told the Daily Racing Form he had considered sending Extra Hope instead in this weekend’s Robert B. Lewis (G3). But he wanted to boost the colt’s confidence at a lower level.
Mandella saw what he needed as Extra Hope, a Samantha Siegel homebred by Shanghai Bobby, zipped to a two-turn mile over the slop in a final time of 1:34.74, in the process beating some well-regarded horses with 2019 Kentucky Derby ideas of their own.
The performance registered an 86 Beyer Speed Figure.
“He’s a nice 3-year-old colt, and we all have the same dreams,” Siegel told Santa Anita’s publicity department when asked if she’ll allow herself to “think big.” Adding of his future plans, she said, “I’m really excited. His dam (Lotsandlotsofhope, by Tiznow) could really run, but she got hurt and only ran once.
“This is her first baby. We’ll get up tomorrow and hope he’s good and then maybe we’ll start thinking big.”
Extra Hope made his seventh start Thursday but has maintained top company in California, with his past performances showing defeats to horses like Improbable, Magic On Tap, Mucho Gusto and Dueling.
In his season debut Thursday under jockey Flavien Prat, Extra Hope broke from the outside No. 7 post position and assumed a pressing position outside of the pace-setter, Gray Magician. He pushed ahead near the quarter poll and from there cruised 3 1/4 lengths in front under the wire.
Gray Magician, previously featured on the Derby Radar, also ran in the Sham Stakes (G3) earlier in January. Finishing second was Kingly, the full brother of Mohaymen who’s trained by Bob Baffert. Third was Big Scott Daddy, a debut winner on Dec. 26 at Santa Anita who attracted the services of Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith.
Extra Hope, meanwhile, made his Derby trail debut in the Dec. 8 Los Alamitos Futurity (G3), finishing third behind Improbable and Mucho Gusto, the Robert B. Lewis favorite. This win could propel him to a race such as the March 9 San Felipe (G2) back at Santa Anita.
Mandella has saddled six Kentucky Derby starters, but none since 2004, when Action This Day ran sixth and Minister Eric 16th at Churchill Downs.