Midnight Interlude Set for Oak Tree Derby

Photo: Cynthia Lum / Eclipse Sportswire

Midnight Interlude, who found a home on turf after finishing well back in both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness last year, is on course for next Saturday’s Grade II Oak Tree Derby at 1 1/8 miles on grass, Bob Baffert said Saturday. Rafael Bejarano has the mount.


“He worked yesterday,” the Hall of Fame trainer said. The 3-year-old son of War Chant went six furlongs on Santa Anita’s main track in 1:13.80.


The bay colt owned by Arnold Zetcher made his first six starts on synthetic or dirt, but won a minor stakes at Hollywood Park in his first turf start on June 17, was fourth despite encountering traffic problems in the Grade II La Jolla Handicap at Del Mar on Aug. 13, then missed by a nose in the Grade II Del Mar Derby on turf Sept. 4.


Other probables for the $150,000 guaranteed Oak Tree Derby include Surrey Star for trainer Jim Cassidy and Thirtyfirststreet for trainer Doug O’Neill.

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