Kentucky Derby trail: Bullard, Barnes clash in San Vicente

Bullard and Barnes, a pair of highly promising colts with Kentucky Derby aspirations, will square-off for the first time in Saturday’s Grade 2, $200,000 San Vicente for 3-year-olds going seven furlongs at Santa Anita.

The San Vicente is the first stop on the road to the Santa Anita Derby (G1) on April 5 and potentially the 151st Kentucky Derby four weeks later at Churchill Downs.

Bullard comes in with a perfect 2-for-2 record for trainer Mike McCarthy. By Gun Runner, Bullard won his debut going six furlongs at Del Mar in September, then came back to romp by 4 3/4 lengths in the Bob Hope (G3) going seven furlongs on Nov. 17 at Del Mar.

Owned in partnership by St. Elias Stable, Talla Racing, Three Chimneys Farm and West Point Thoroughbreds, Bullard sold for $675,000 as a yearling at the 2023 Keeneland September sale. Jockey Umberto Rispoli, who rode Bullard in both previous starts, retains the mount in the San Vicente.

Bullard has worked four times since the Bob Hope, all at Santa Anita. On Saturday, he drilled five furlongs in 1:00.80.

Barnes will be making his stakes debut for trainer Bob Baffert and owner Zedan Racing. As a yearling, the son of Into Mischief commanded $3.2 million at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale.

Barnes last month shipped to Churchill Downs for his debut and promptly won by a head going 5 1/2 furlongs on Nov. 27. The runner-up that day, Innovator for trainer D. Wayne Lukas, has since broke his maiden and finished second in the Advent Stakes, both at Oaklawn Park.

Barnes has worked at Santa Anita four times since his debut. Last weekend, he fired a bullet when working six furlongs from the gate in 1:12.80. Then on Sunday, he drilled four furlongs in 48.80 seconds. Barnes will be ridden by Juan Hernandez for the first time in the San Vicente.

Among those set to take on Bullard and Barnes is McKinzie Street, who has twice been Grade 1-placed for trainer Tim Yakteen. By McKinzie, McKinzie Street most recently finished 7/12 lengths behind Bullard when third in the Bob Hope. Prior to that effort he was third in the American Pharoah (G1) going 1 1/16 miles at Santa Anita and second in the Del Mar Futurity (G1) going seven furlongs in September.

McKinzie Street will have a new rider in the San Vicente. After having Kazushi Kimura for all four previous starts, Antonio Fresu takes over in the irons. McKinzie Street is 4: 1-1-2 with $153,000 in earnings for owners Leslie A. Amestoy, Jean Pierre Amestoy Jr. and Roger K. Beasley.

Baffert also entered Romanesque, who was a sharp debut winner going 6 1/2 furlongs at Del Mar Nov. 23. That day he dueled on the lead and kicked clear in the stretch to win by 2 1/4 lengths under Hernandez. He will have Hall of Famer Mike Smith in the irons Saturday.

Romanesque, a son of Practical Joke, sold for $435,000 at the 2023 Keeneland September yearling sale. He is owned by an extensive partnership that includes SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables and Stonestreet Stables.

Smooth Cruisein also steps up to the stakes ranks following a debut maiden win. Trained by Karen Keadley, Smooth Cruisein on Oct. 27 came from off the pace to score by a half-length going six furlongs at Santa Anita. The colt by Girvin, who was a $41,000 auction purchase earlier this year, is owned by Matson Racing, Sandra L. Brown, Elise Naify and Marsha Naify. He will be ridden by Ricky Gonzalez, who was also aboard for his maiden win.