Roadster emulates Justify as he pips Game Winner to land Santa Anita Derby

Santa Anita | Santa Anita Derby (Grade 1) | 1m1f | 3yo | dirt

The Bob Baffert-trained Roadster came with a massive late run to deny stablemate Game Winner in the $1 million Santa Anita Derby on Saturday.

The son of Quality Road made brief waves at two when he finished third to Game Winner in the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity, just one start after breaking his maiden, before he was sidelined for just under six months following surgery to repair an obstruction in his throat.

Baffert decided it was time to step the grey back up in class and see if he was good enough to earn a spot in the 145th Kentucky Derby.

Ridden by Mike Smith – who rode Justify last year to win the Santa Anita Derby before moving on to Triple Crown glory for Baffert – Roadster was pitted against five runners, including Game Winner, who already had 45 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge.

Justify with trainer Bob Baffert at Coolmore's Kentucky farmCredit: Coolmore

Making an early move on the outside, Joel Rosario guided Game Winner past Nolo Contesto and then challenged leader Instagrand. Running a half-length behind Instagrand at the top of the stretch, Game Winner prepared to do battle with the leader and just missed Roadster coming up fast on the far outside.

"We knew before he and Game Winner started running they both had ability," Smith said. "We got a good break, and then dropped back. He took a breather, while the others were going quickly. When I asked him again, he was gone."

Baffert said: "Roadster is a light horse but has always shown brilliance from day one. They're two good horses. It was a good, hard race for both of them and, coming in, that's what you want to see. I couldn't be happier.”

Aqueduct | Wood Memorial (Grade 2) | 1m1f | 3yo | dirt

Tacitus, trained by Bill Mott and ridden by Jose Ortiz, overcame a hard bump before the first turn to post a length-and-a-quarter victory over Tax in the $750,000 Wood Memorial Stakes.

Tacitus was one of several horses impacted shortly after the break when 52-1 shot Joevia cut towards the inside from the outside post in the field of 11. Tacitus was then clipped from behind by Overdeliver but recovered and quickly settled into stride.

Not That Brady led passing the quarter-pole but was quickly passed by Tax and then Tacitus, who was rallying four wide. As Tacitus and Tax pulled away from the rest of the field, Tacitus poked a head in front at the eighth pole and opened a clear lead in the final yards.

Mott said: “I thought it was a very good effort. It's a month before the Derby and a lot of handicappers think the third race off the bench is the best. So I hope that group of handicappers is absolutely right."

Keeneland | Blue Grass Stakes (Grade 2) | 1m1f | 3yo | dirt

Vekoma appears to be a three-year-old peaking at just the right time for trainer George Weaver and rider Javier Castellano.

Stretching out to nine furlongs for the first time proved to the chestnut colt's liking, as he took command off the final turn and drew clear for a three-and-a-half-length victory in the $1m Blue Grass Stakes.

Santa Anita | Santa Anita Oaks (Grade 1) | 1m½f | 3yo | dirt

Bellafina, trained by Simon Callaghan shook clear of Flor de La Mar at the head of the lane and powered home to a five-and-a-quarter-length victory under Flavien Prat in the $400,000 Santa Anita Oaks.

The daughter of Quality Road stamped herself as the likely favourite for the Longines Kentucky Oaks.

Keeneland | Ashland Stakes (Grade 1) | 1m½f | 3yo | dirt

The Dallas Stewart-trained Out For A Spin pulled off a 52-1 stunner in the $500,000 Ashland Stakes with a gritty run under Paco Lopez after putting away even-money favourite Jaywalk off the turn for home.

The top three should meet again in the Longines Kentucky Oaks on May 3, as both second Restless Rider and Jaywalk are expected to continue on to Churchill Downs.

Members can read the latest exclusive interviews, news analysis and comment available from 6pm daily on racingpost.com