Espinoza: American Pharoah 'Improving All the Time'
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American Pharoah will try to trump stablemate Dortmund in their running battle of one-upmanship in Saturday’s Grade I, $1 million Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park.
Regular rider Victor Espinoza will be aboard the son of Pioneerof the Nile owned and bred by Ahmed Zayat.
“He’s an amazing horse,” Espinoza said of the bay colt trained by Bob Baffert. “He’s improving all the time and every time I ride him I learn something new and different that shows me how amazing he is.
“He has everything a horse needs to win the Kentucky Derby.”
Espinoza should know. He won his first Run for the Roses in 2002 on War Emblem for Baffert, and captured the Derby last year on eventual Horse of the Year California Chrome.
MIKE LUZZI TO ACCEPT WOOLF AWARD SUNDAY
Mike Luzzi will accept Santa Anita’s 2015 George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award in a Winner’s Circle ceremony after the sixth race on Sunday.
Sidelined because of a broken leg and a fractured pelvis sustained in a paddock accident last Nov. 2 at Aqueduct, Luzzi has undergone reconstructive surgery and is going through rehabilitation for a return to the saddle at some point this year.
Presented annually by Santa Anita since 1950, the Woolf Award is one of the most coveted honors in racing, as it recognizes riders whose careers and personal character have earned esteem for both the individual and the sport of Thoroughbred racing.
Luzzi, who has won 3,420 career races, is expected to be accompanied by his wife, Tania, and children Larue and Lane.
MEET, GREET UNBEATEN DORTMUND AT TOC CLINIC TOMORROW
As a special bonus, all attendees at Saturday's TOC Conformation Clinic will get an up-close look at undefeated Santa Anita Derby winner and Kentucky Derby contender Dortmund at the barn of Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, who has graciously agreed to bring the towering colt out for viewing during the morning's program.
The Conformation Clinic starts 10 a.m. at Santa Anita’s Top o' the Stretch. The workshop, which is intended to help participants develop an "eye" for a horse, will be co-hosted by trainers Dan Blacker, Matt Chew, Mike Machowsky and Howard Zucker.
There is still time to register for the event by calling (626) 574-6620.
FINISH LINES: Streaking stakes winner Warren’s Veneda, prepping for the Grade I Vanity Stakes on May 9, worked five furlongs at 6:30 Friday morning in 1:00.40 under exercise rider Manny Rotela for Craig Lewis. Asked if he was happy with the drill, Lewis said, “Everything about her makes me happy.” . . . Gusto Dolce, stablemate of 1-5 morning line choice Beholder in today’s Santa Lucia Stakes, was one of three scratches in the 1 1/16-mile race. “She hit her head in her stall and there was blood in her nose,” said trainer Richard Mandella, displaying a picture of the mishap on his iPhone . . . Joe Talamo is recovering in Palm Springs from a sore right shoulder suffered when his mount, Sensitively, fell after the finish of Sunday’s Santa Paula Stakes. Agent Scotty McClellan said the 25-year-old Louisiana native would resume riding next Thursday . . . Trainer David Hofmans passed on today’s Maker’s 46 Mile at Keeneland with Home Run Kitten and now will point to the Grade III San Simeon Stakes at about 6 ½ furlongs on turf April 19 . . . Safety Steward Luis Jauregui is well-satisfied with the innovation several months ago that announces the location of loose horses on the track during morning workouts. “It’s really important,” said Jauregui, a former jockey, “because when you’re on a horse, you hear the sirens (warning of a loose horse), but you don’t know where the horse is. By announcing it over the PA system, it gives the riders on the track a chance to look up and see where the incident happened. We started this at Santa Anita. I approached (President) Tom Ludt and he jumped right on board and said, ‘Let’s do it.’” Jauregui ended his career in style, going out on a winner at Hollywood Park in December of 2006 on a horse named Charming Dot trained by Roger Stein. “I’ll never forget that,” Jauregui said. “It paid $160 to win.” . . . On Sunday, April 19, Santa Anita celebrates Hispanic music and culture with a Latin music festival in the Infield. Enjoy Los Ramones and other top musical acts for concert admission of just $5. Parking is free through Gate 6 . . . John DeSantis of Xpressbet.com, and TV host/analyst Peter Lurie, will be Tom Quigley’s guests Saturday and Sunday, respectively, 11:20 a.m., in the East Paddock Gardens . . .Today’s Santa Lucia Stakes trophy will be presented by Anthony Barr. A 2013 Consensus All American at UCLA, Barr was the No. 9 pick in the first round of the 2014 draft by the Minnesota Vikings, for whom he is currently a starting outside linebacker.
Source: Santa Anita Stable Notes
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