Bolo Ready for Dortmund Rematch

Back on a regular training schedule after a helter skelter regimen dictated by inclement weather prior to the San Felipe Stakes on March 7 in which he finished an encouraging third behind unbeaten winner Dortmund, Bolo is coming up to Saturday’s Grade I, $1 million Santa Anita Derby and a rematch with Dortmund in fine fettle.

“He’s back on his regular training program and it looks like there’s a lot of pace,” said Carla Gaines, who trains the Kentucky-bred son of Temple City for Golden Pegasus Racing, Inc., and Earle I. Mack.

“On paper, the race looks good for a horse with his style. He’s got tactical speed and he’s very ratable. He’ll pretty much sit wherever you want him to in the race, so that’s good.”

The field for the 78th Santa Anita Derby: Dortmund, Martin Garcia, 3-5; One Lucky Dane, Rafael Bejarano, 5-1; Cross the Line, Juan Hernandez, 15-1; Bolo, Mike Smith, 4-1; Prospect Park, Kent Desormeaux, 7-2; and Bad Read Sanchez, Mario Gutierrez, 30-1.

In other Santa Anita Derby news:
Dennis O’Neill and brother Doug, trainer of outsider Bad Read Sanchez, who has not raced in eight months: “Obviously,” said Dennis, “the idea is to have him hit the board. It’s a very, very tough race, but the horse is doing really good, he’s training great, he’s finally healthy, and we did it a couple years ago.

“We were 43-1 when I’ll Have Another won the Lewis in 2012 and we’re hoping we’re 40 or 50 to one tomorrow and shock the world.”

Added Doug: “We were doing the math. He’s just short of 12 miles in works the last few months, so he’s got a lot of foundation underneath him. He’s going to be fresh, of course, but not overly hot. If he’s going to have any chance to go a mile and an eighth against these kinds of horses, he’s got to relax early.”

Dan Ward, assistant to trainer Jerry Hollendorfer on California Derby winner Cross the Line, 15-1 on Jon White’s morning line:

“He’s coming up to a peak race and we’ll have no excuses. He’s looked good going over the track; it looks like he likes it. He’s been schooled in the gate, schooled in the paddock. This is a big test, but he’s prepared. We’ll find out a lot Saturday.”

Bob Baffert will be seeking to add to his Santa Anita Derby record of six wins, having captured it previously with Cavonnier (1996), Indian Charlie (1998), General Challenge (1999), Point Given (2001), Pioneerof the Nile (2009) and Midnight Interlude (2011).

The first 15,000 THOROUGHBREDS members in attendance at Santa Anita Saturday will be offered free an exclusive 2015 Santa Anita Derby Day T-shirt while supplies last. First post time for the 11-race program is 12 noon. Gates open at 10 a.m.

Santa Anita offers a $750,000 guaranteed Late Pick 4 pool and a $300,000 guaranteed Pick 6 pool on Santa Anita Derby Day.

MACHOWSKY EYES DOUBLE IN EVENING JEWEL

Mike Machowsky is looking for a repeat victory in Saturday’s $200,000 Evening Jewel Stakes for 3-year-old fillies bred or sired in California.

The 49-year-old trainer sent out Rovenna to win the race last year and has the speedy Bad Ju Ju set go in the 6 ½ furlong sprint on Saturday.

“We’ve had this race picked out for her the last few months,” Machowsky said. “She doesn’t have to be on the lead. She’s trained off horses in the mornings, and she’s a pretty talented little filly.”

Bad Ju Ju is a daughter of Desert Code owned and bred by Machowsky’s Lo Hi Racing Stable and Dick Barton. She was off slow from the rail in her debut in which she finished fifth last Nov. 7 at Del Mar, but won her next two starts on the front end under Kayla Star, who rides in the Evening Jewel.

The field for the Evening Jewel: Long Hot Summer, Joe Talamo, 7-2; Niassa, Martin Garcia, 8-1; Desert Thief, Agapito Delgadillo, 12-1; Ashley’s Sassy, Mike Smith, 8-1; Bad Ju Ju, Kayla Star, 4-1; Can Can Babe, Elvis Trujillo, 20-1; Tribal Express, Alonso Quinonez, 50-1; Alwazabridesmaid, Drayden Van Dyke, 12-1; Sheer Pleasure, Tyler Baze, 5-1; Jenna’s Faith, Rafael Bejarano, 8-1; Grand Yodeler, Kent Desormeaux, 12-1; Princess Bertrando, Edwin Maldonado, 12-1; and Easter Fever, Victor Espinoza, 8-1.

VEHICULAR TRAFFIC REROUTED ON DERBY DAY
Those wishing to spend the morning at Santa Anita’s Clockers’ Corner on Santa Anita Derby Day Saturday are advised that Baldwin Ave. will be closed to vehicular traffic between the 210 Freeway and Huntington Drive from 7:30 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. in order to accommodate foot traffic related to Santa Anita’s annual Derby Day 5K Run and Walk.

Accordingly, Santa Anita’s Gate 8, which adjoins the Westfield Shopping Mall on Baldwin Ave., and Gate 7, at the track’s northwest end, will also be closed to vehicles during the same time frame.

Those wishing to visit Clockers’ Corner Derby Day morning will be able to enter the track on Santa Anita’s northeast perimeter, through Gate 5, or on the track’s southern perimeter, through Gate 3. Gates 3 & 5 will be open for easy access to Clockers’ Corner beginning at 5 a.m. and will remain open throughout the day. Santa Anita’s main track will be closed for training at 7:30 a.m.

Gate 3 is located at the intersection of Holly Ave. and Huntington Drive. Gate 5 is located at the confluence of Colorado Place and Huntington Drive.

For additional information on the Santa Anita Derby and on the Derby Day 5K Run and Walk, fans are encouraged to visit santaanita.com/events, or call (626) 574-RACE.