Doug O'Neill, who won the Santa Anita Derby (G1) with Goldencents in 2013 and eventual Kentucky Derby winner I'll Have Another in 2012, pursues another victory Saturday in the West Coast's major steppingstone to the Kentucky Derby (G1) with Happy Jack and Win the Day.
Working in company, Happy Jack and Win the Day each went six furlongs Saturday in identical times of 1:14.20, while O'Neill's Santa Anita Oaks (G1) nominee Awake at Midnyte went the same distance in a bullet 1:12.20.
Happy Jack, like O'Neill's stable star Hot Rod Charlie a son of Oxbow, was third by 10 ½ lengths to Santa Anita Derby-bound Forbidden Kingdom last out in the San Felipe Stakes (G2) March 5, while Win the Day, a son of Midshipman, is coming off an impressive 5 ½-length maiden victory at one mile on March 6.
“Happy Jack is doing really well,” said O'Neill, who will have Abel Cedillo aboard the bay colt owned and bred by Calumet Farm for the fourth consecutive race.
“Win the Day had a nice maiden win going two turns on the main track here, so we're hoping he moves forward a little bit. He's got a big chance. Obviously, it's going to be a tough race but we've got two live ones.”
Umberto Rispoli, who was aboard Win the Day for his maiden victory, retains the mount.
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