Bob Baffert: already trained three Kentucky Derby winners
PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)Super enters Derby frame with Oaklawn blitz
Report: USA, Monday
Oaklawn Park: Southwest Stakes (Grade 3) 1m, 3yo, dirt
SUPER NINETY NINE (Bob Baffert/Rafael Bejarano) produced a superb performance on sloppy going and advanced his Kentucky Derby claims on Monday.
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Driven out of the stalls to claim the lead by Bejarano, Super Ninety Nine travelled with supreme easy and blasted clear in the straight to win by 11¼ lengths from Fear The Kitten.
The performance prompted Ladbrokes to introduce Super Ninety Nine into the betting for the Kentucky Derby as 12-1 second favourite.
"Rafael called me before the race and I just told him to let him get away from there and do his thing," said Baffert, who has won three Kentucky Derbys.
"Turning for home, I could see he had plenty of horse. It's exciting. This is the time of year when these three-year-olds start getting exciting.
"We'll get him back home and see how he does. We know he likes the track now. I don't like to plan ahead and with these young horses, you just never know. We'll definitely have something for the Rebel [March 16]."
Also on Monday
Santa Anita: Buena Vista Stakes (Grade 2) 1m, 4yo+ fillies & mares, turf
BREEDERS' CUP Turf Sprint winner Mizdirection (Mike Puype/Mike Smith) made all the runner to claim victory in this 1m contest on her first start at the distance for 18 months.
It was a third win on the trot for Mizdirection after her Breeders' Cup win and a victory in the 6½f Grade 2 Monrovia Stakes at Santa Anita last month.
"She stumbled leaving there a little bit, but after that she settled really well," Smith told DRF.com. "She's a more mature horse and ran really well."
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