Midnight interlude rallies to capture Santa Anita Derby

ARCADIA, California: A year ago, Bob Baffert was vigorous after Lookin at lucky favorite he ran a third problem in the Santa Anita Derby. What a difference 12 months ago. Associated Press

Jockey Victor Espinoza, on Board of midnight interlude, right, celebrates after winning $ 1 million Santa Anita Derby on Saturday.

Press associate

Jockey Victor Espinoza, on Board of midnight interlude, right, celebrates after winning $ 1 million Santa Anita Derby on Saturday.

"" The Hall of Fame coach was all smiles when midnight interlude scored a surprising victory in the $ 1 million race Saturday, suddenly giving Baffert a third option for the Kentucky Derby"."Not sure, said of the Colt unchecked. "He has been training well, but he did not have the class test, intestino-verificación yet".Midnight interlude got in the leg, gathering in Victor Espinoza to review comma at the top and win by a head in West's biggest preparation for the May 7 Kentucky Derby. Midnight interlude lasted 1 1-8 miles in 1: 48. 66. "I'm still not feeling that with the still." I can't believe, ", said Ellen Zetcher, bred and it owns the colt with her husband, Arnold.The victory represents a dramatic shift to Baffert and Espinoza from last April." It is then when Lookin at lucky got squeezed down along the railway, forcing Garrett Gomez to get up in the Chair.Gomez accused Espinoza, horse, rebound was the railroad. It was after Espinoza after the race, blows from home before the two were separated and later again in the room of the jockeys.Baffert was furious at Gomez to put his horse in that place, and was not too happy with Espinoza.Le told Victor, ' a year ago that he wanted to kill. Now wins the Santa Anita Derby,'", said Baffert, smiling."Last year, the wife of Baffert, Jill, illuminated in Espinoza, asking why attempted to overthrow Gomez. Espinoza repeatedly denied any offender, but suffered damage to his long association with Baffert.Los two, who won the Kentucky Derby in 2002 with the emblem of the war, even more drifted apart, having previously butted heads. But when Baffert needs a rider of midnight interlude, called agent of Espinoza, and jockey was on the cover, riding for Baffert for the first time since the Santa Anita meeting opened on December 26.They know that still respect them, "Baffet said corridors." "My wife was upset because she worried Lookin at lucky it might have been wounded, and was crazy because he (Gomez) should not have been there.""Now, Baffert and Espinoza turned to the Derby together."We have always been very fortunate, and I believe that this year we are going to move forward again, "said jockey."I'm excited just to be back. We are veterans, eh, Bob? "It's the first victory for the Santa Anita Derby Espinoza and sixth Baffert registration." "" Jill Baffert was in Arkansas on Saturday, watching his horse loses in the Oaklawn Handicap. ""She is so excited, he said. "I needed a higher selector".Expelled at odds of 13-1 for the multitude of 31,523, midnight interlude paid $29.80, $12 and $6. It is the third victory for Baffert in the card of the day."Midnight interlude was made less chance of Kentucky Derby of Baffert, having lost their first two races before winning for the first time by 8 lengths on March 20".Until midnight interlude won, Ellen I like not even to mention the Kentucky Derby, "Said Arnold Zetcher,." "" "When it came to pass, I had to go to confirm with Bob, ' are really going to the Kentucky Derby?' and he said,"Yes.""The Factor has won most of the attention for the trainer of three-time winner of the Kentucky Derby, and if he runs impressive in the Arkansas Derby of the next weekend, could give to Baffert was supposed to be the favorite for the execution of the function Roses.That to belong to Uncle MoHe lost for the first time on Saturday, third in a surprising defeat in the Memorial.Jaycito of wood had to run on Saturday in the Derby of Santa Anita, which would have given Baffert two innings, but he was scratched the day before because of a foot injury. "If recovers Jaycito, Baffert plans to execute him on April 23 Coolmore Lexington Stakes at Keeneland for its final preparation of the Derby.Si the three to Louisville, he will have his full week of Derby's hands".I love it. I would like to take the field, "said, smiling."Point to the top, who led most of the way, regresada $9.20 and $5.80 Trainer Peter Miller had said that comma at the beginning was not going to run the first Saturday in may, and reiterated after the common race.Mr. was another 2 in third and paid $3.60 lengths to display. "He was ridden by Mike Smith and trained by John Shirreffs, which formed part of Zenyatta. Silver Medallion team, Gomez 5-2 favorite, was fourth."I thought Garrett gave a great opportunity, and I was disappointed that he did not pick it up from there, "said trainer Steve Asmussen,." "It is a little busy on the first turn, but perfectly solved for us and do not benefit from it." "I thought that Garrett gave the possibilities".Anthony Cruz was fifth, followed by the Indian winter, Bank points, Hill of quail and wild Offlee of Boys.In the day's other bets, freighter Liberian won the Arcadia of $150,000 bet by an average of height; Cambina took the order of $150,000 stakes by three-fourths of length; and independent forest won a victory of neck in the Cienegas Handicap of the 100,000 dollars.