Santa Anita Derby goes to Colonel John

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Arcadia, CA (Sports Network) - Colonel John stamped himself a major contender for the Run for the Roses after Saturday's victory in the $750,000 Santa Anita Derby.

Trained by Eoin Harty, Colonel John was the 5-2 second choice in the 11 horse field behind 9-5 favorite El Gato Malo. Both three-year-olds were coming out of the Sham Stakes where Colonel John defeated El Gato Malo by a half- length.

With Corey Nakatani in the saddle, Colonel John settled in far off the pace that was set by Coast Guard and Bob Black Jack. Racing third was Polonius with Signature Move in fourth.

Entering the far turn Coast Guard still had a small lead over Bob Black Jack. On the final turn Bob Black Jack reversed positions with Coast Guard as Shore Do got into the picture.

Colonel John began his rally down the stretch and was able to catch Bob Black Jack right before the wire. The winning colt registered a half-length win over Bob Black Jack with Coast Guard holding third and Yankee Bravo gaining fourth.

El Gato Malo faded to fifth followed by On the Virg, Shore Do, Meetingwithdestiny, Polonius, Rosso Corsa and Signature Move

The time for the 71st Santa Anita Derby was 1:48.16 on the synthetic track.

Colonel John, owned by WinStar Farm, collects $450,000 with the win to boost his career earnings to $830,300. Last year Colonel John the Real Quiet Stakes and was second as the 2-1 favorite to Into Mischief in the CashCall Futurity.

Colonel John returned $7.20, $4.00 and $3.20. Bob Black Jack paid $7.20 and $5.40, and Coast Guard paid $7.80 to show.