4/3 (SA): SA Derby (G1), Oaks, Royal Heroine (G2's), Providencia (G3)
 

Defunded almost got knocked down turning for home, but regained his composure and blew that field away. Looks like a major player in an interesting race. Back Ring Luck ran very well at Hot Springs.

Between your signature and this post you’ve mentioned 30% of the field. A few more posts and you should be able to boast after the race how you liked the winner.

9/5 seems pretty fair on Medina Spirit. I feel like he’ll go off lower than that.

Roman Centurian coming out of Santa Anita Derby
Steve Andersen
Apr 02, 2021

Roman Centurian, second in the Grade 3 Robert Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita on Jan. 30, was scheduled to be withdrawn from Saturday’s Grade 1 Runhappy Santa Anita Derby after trainer Simon Callaghan said he was unhappy with the colt’s training on Friday.

A battery of tests will be conducted before race plans are finalized, Callaghan said.

“Roman Centurian was not his usual self and his energy level was a little lacking for him,” Callaghan wrote in a text. “We will be running some tests, including some blood work to make sure all is OK.

“If all shows to be good with him, then there is every chance we will ship to either the Arkansas Derby or Lexington Stakes.”

The Grade 1 Arkansas Derby is run at 1 1/8 miles at Oaklawn Park on April 10, the same day as the Grade 3 Lexington Stakes at 1 1/16 miles at Keeneland.

Owned by Don Alberto Stable and Qatar Racing, Roman Centurian was fourth by 13 1/2 lengths to eight-length winner Life Is Good in the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita on March 6. Roman Centurian, by Empire Maker, has won once in four starts.

I have Defunded over Dream Shake.

Serious ride by Prat in the Oaks.

Nice run by Rock Your World. In the mix for sure

Thought he easily looked like the best of the three big prep winners today. His third start and first on dirt.

Essential quality was very good too.

For what it is worth, 4 dirt races at Santa Anita so far and no one has really passed anyone the last 1/2 mile or so.

What about the runner up in there? Feels like he has some serious upside.

Stretch run was vaguely reminiscent of the 2003 Wood Memorial when heavily favored Empire Maker had a tough time asserting superiority over Funny Cide.

Not convinced that Highly Motivated will handle the added distance, though; he jumped back to his left lead at the 1/16th pole and that pretty much put an end to the dogfight.

I wonder if Chad Brown will wait for the Preakness.

I’d love to see him in the Met Mile.

Absolutely has upside but thought the horse had everything his way today and couldn’t finish the deal.