The Great One to receive change in tactics in Santa Anita Derby
Trainer Doug O’Neill plans to change tactics for The Great One in Saturday’s Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby.
The son of 2016 Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist was fifth, beaten almost nine lengths, by second-place finisher Medina Spirit in the San Felipe Stakes on March 6, never getting to the front after breaking in and bumping in the 1 1/16-mile race.
Medina Spirit was the 5-2 morning line favorite in the Santa Anita Derby.
“We’re just going to be forwardly placed,” said O’Neill who won the Santa Anita Derby back-to-back with eventual Kentucky Derby winner I’ll Have Another in 2012 and Goldencents in 2013.
“The last time we kind of took him back a little bit. Today we’re going to send him away from there, be forwardly placed, and we’re optimistic.”
The West Coast’s major steppingstone to the Kentucky Derby on May 1 lost one starter when trainer Simon Callaghan, dissatisfied with Roman Centurian’s training yesterday, scratched the son of Empire Maker, who was second by a neck to Medina Spirit in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3) on Jan. 30.
Roman Centurian drew the rail for the Santa Anita Derby and was 8-1 on the morning line.