Connections are So Happy after San Felipe, eye Santa Anita Derby

So Happy and Secured Freedom, the respective third- and fourth-place finishers in Saturday's Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes, are likely to continue on to the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby on April 4, their respective trainers said Sunday morning.

So Happy, trained by Mark Glatt, was making his two-turn debut in the 1 1/16-mile San Felipe. He finished about 2 1/4 lengths behind winner Potente. Splitting that pair in second was Robusta, a 67-1 long shot who was beaten a head by Potente.

So Happy pressed a lively pace set by Brant – who wound up weakening to fifth – and was a half-length back of Robusta at the eighth pole before both were overhauled by Potente.

"He looks good this morning," Glatt said of So Happy. "I think we're likely to look at the Derby, yeah. He ran good. I think it was a solid effort pressing a fairly quick pace and being his first time around two turns. I think it will be interesting to see the second time around two turns now having that experience. We'll see if he can improve."

Potente, trained by Bob Baffert, was making his second start in the San Felipe Stakes and first around two turns. A $2.4 million colt by Into Mischief, Potente won in a time of 1:42.92. The effort earned a 90 Beyer Speed Figure, according to Daily Racing Form's Brad Free. Potente earned 50 qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby with the victory, which should be more than enough to qualify. Baffert said Potente would have one more start before the Kentucky Derby in May, also possibly the Santa Anita Derby.

Robusta's trainer, Doug O'Neill, said from the winner's circle the colt by Accelerate would go on to the Santa Anita Derby. Robusta previously finished sixth in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3) going one mile on Feb. 7. In the San Felipe, Robusta was outfitted in blinkers for the first time, and O'Neill said the equipment change "made the difference."

On Sunday morning, O'Neill's assistant Leandro Mora reported Robusta "is doing great. We're moving on."

Secured Freedom, trained by Tim Yakteen, stalked the pace from down inside and finished evenly. He was beaten about 3 1/2 lengths.

"I was expecting a little more from him. He sort of flattened out in the lane," Yakteen said Sunday. "It could be some maturity involved and being down inside. But he's come back in excellent shape. We're looking forward to see if we can get him back on track and see an improved effort."

By Practical Joke, Secured Freedom previously finished third in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3).