Baffert Has Three for Santa Anita Derby

Jim Barnes, assistant to Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, said Thursday morning that three horses from their stable of bluebloods are ticketed for the Grade I, $750,000 Santa Anita Derby at 1 1/8 miles on April 7, but Bodemeister, runner-up to Creative Cause in the San Felipe Stakes, would pass the race in favor of the $1 million Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park on April 14.

The three Baffert runners are Blueskiesnrainbows, Liaison and Paynter.

{Check out the top Kentucky Derby 2012 contenders} 

In other Santa Anita Derby news:

Robert B. Lewis Stakes winner I’ll Have Another is scheduled to work three-quarters at Hollywood Park Friday “and probably gallop out a mile,” according to Dennis O’Neill, brother of Doug O’Neill, who trains the Flower Alley colt for owner J. Paul Reddam. “After that, he’ll gallop right into the race,” Dennis said.

At Hollywood Park Thursday, Baby Blake worked six furlongs for trainer Mike Pender in 1:16.80, while Longview Drive went seven furlongs in 1:27.20 for Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer.

At Hollywood on Wednesday, Santa Anita Derby favorite Creative Cause worked six furlongs in 1:12.80 for trainer Mike Harrington, Liaison worked six furlongs in 1:11.20 and Paynter went the same distance in a bullet 1:11 for Baffert.

At Santa Anita Wednesday, promising maiden Brother Francis worked five furlongs in 59 flat for Jim Cassidy.

Probable for the Santa Anita Derby: Brother Francis, Garrett Gomez; Blueskiesnrainbows; Baby Blake; Creative Cause, Joel Rosario; Liaison, Rafael Bejarano; Midnight Transfer, Mike Smith; I’ll Have Another, Mario Gutierrez; Longview Drive; Paynter; and Senor Rain.

Also on Santa Anita Derby Day, there will be a $750,000 guaranteed Late Pick 4, and next Saturday, March 31, Santa Anita Oaks Day, there will be a $500,000 guaranteed Late Pick 4 presented by DRF TicketMaker.