Bob Baffert returns for WinStar Derby

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Sunland Park, NM (Sports Network) - Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert is back at Sunland Park with a strong opportunity to repeat with a win in Sunday's $600,000 WinStar Derby. The 1 1/8 race has attracted eight thoroughbreds who will all carry 122 pounds.

Baffert, who sent out Wanna Runner to win the 2006 edition, has Law Breaker in from California. Law Breaker is coming off a narrow loss to Noble Court in the San Vicente Stakes last month.

Owned by Hal and Patti Earnhardt, Law Breaker will be ridden again by Aaron Gryder from post 7. The bay colt has two wins in four career starts for $97,932.

Trainer Steve Asmussen has two horses entered for Sunday. Borderland Derby winner Takedown and Forty Grams will run as separate betting interests.

Takedown will break from the inside post with Glen Murphy in the saddle.

Forty Grams was third last time out in the Southwest Stakes, beaten by 2 1/2 lengths by Teuflesberg. The chestnut colt will start from post 4 with Garrett Gomez riding for the first time.

Owned by Second Wind Farm and George Bolton, Forty Grams has earned $86,000 with two wins in five starts.

Song of Navarone, third in the Sham Stakes, will be ridden by Victor Espinoza from post 6. The colt is trained by Henry Dominguez and owned by George Coleman, and has a win and a second in two races at Sunland Park. He has $58,080 in earnings with two wins four career starts.

Rounding out the field in post position order are Solemn Promise, Congo Bay, Jack Hes Tops and Game Of Skill.

The fifth running of the WinStar Derby is set as race 9 off 11 with a post- time of 6:45 p.m. (et).