Ridden by Trevor McCarthy for trainer James Jerkens, Weyburn earned 50 qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby. Runner-up Crowded Trade earned 20 points, with Chad Brown stablemate Highly Motivated earning 10 points for third and Bob Baffert-trained West Coast invader Freedom Fighter getting five points for fourth.

Sent away at 46-a odds, Weyburn, a 3-year-old Ontario-bred by Pioneerof the Nile out of Sunday Affair, by A.P. Indy, paid $95.50 for the win.

Freedom Fighter went to the front under Manny Franco, going :24.29 for the opening quarter and :48.03 for the half mile. Weyburn raced alongside as they went six furlongs in 1:12.85, when Crowded Trade and Eric Cancel joined the dueling leaders on the turn. Freedom Fighter backed out first and Crowded Trade had all the momentum on the outside, poking his nose in front in mid-stretch. Approaching the wire, Weyburn jumped from his left lead to his right lead and fought back, getting his nose in front just in time.

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The one-turn mile event at Aqueduct Racetrack is New York's penultimate local qualifier for the Grade 1, $3 million Kentucky Derby on May 1 at Churchill Downs and awards the top four finishers points according to a 50-20-10-5 scale.

Coverage of the Gotham will be available on America's Day at the Races, the acclaimed national telecast produced by the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) in partnership with FOX Sports. Presented by America's Best Racing and Claiborne Farm, America's Day at the Races will broadcast Saturday from 5-6 p.m. Eastern on FS2, with the Gotham slated as Race 9 at 5:07 p.m.

Wolf, who manages Starlight Racing with his wife Laurie, has campaigned 12 Kentucky Derby starters. He was involved in multiple-owner partnerships which campaigned 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify and last year's winner Authentic, but also had two last-place finishers in Keyed Entry (2006) and Monba (2008).

“Through the years, we've had quite a few hoses in the Derby. It's a lot different when you have one that's a favorite as opposed to a longshot like Keyed Entry,” Wolf said. “It's pretty exciting when you have a legit shot. Last year, even though Barclay's horse [Tagg, Tiz the Law] was the big favorite and the one to beat, I was confident that our horse would perform, and obviously he did.”

Trained by Hall of Fame nominee Todd Pletcher, Atlantic Road broke his maiden at second asking over the Aqueduct main track in gate-to-wire fashion under Kendrick Carmouche. The son of Quality Road was originally owned by Pletcher and was privately purchased by Wolf.

“I think the further he goes the better with him being by Quality Road out of a Smart Strike mare,” said Wolf. “He improved considerably and showed a bit of determination down the lane. His last race was encouraging. It'll be a tall ask to compete, but he deserves the chance.”

Atlantic Road was one of four next-out winners of the January 8 maiden special weight at Gulfstream Park, which was won by Lamutanaaty.

“A lot of those horses validated that they were good ones,” Wolf said.

Atlantic Road will break from the rail under jockey Jorge Vargas, Jr.

Fellow Starlight Racing color-bearer Freedom Fighter also has only made two starts but has covered some ground in both efforts. The son of Violence won on debut at Del Mar on August 1 at Del Mar and emerged from a six-month layoff in the Grade 2 San Vicente on February 5 at Santa Anita, where he registered a 94 Beyer Speed Figure with a close second to highly-regarded stable mate Concert Tour.

Freedom Fighter is co-owned by Starlight Racing alongside SF Racing, Madaket Stables, Golconda Stables, Siena Farm and Robert E. Masterson and was purchased for $120,000 at the 2019 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

“His figures have improved dramatically just looking at his Beyers and he ran an 8 on the [Ragozin] sheets. But it looks like a tough race,” Wolf said.

Campaigned by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, Freedom Fighter has trained forwardly toward the Gotham, firing a pair of bullets over the Santa Anita main track, most recently a five-furlong drill in 59.20 on February 27 – the fastest of 63 recorded works at the distance.

“When Bob tells you the horse is good and breezing the way he is, I get pretty excited,” Wolf said. “Relatively speaking, paying $120,000 for him in comparison to what we've paid for some of the others is a bit of a bargain, especially if he moves forward.”

Wolf and owner Sol Kumin of Madaket Stables tasted Derby victory together previously with Justify and Authentic.

Wolf appears to have horses firing on multiple cylinders on the Derby trail as Starlight Racing also is part owner of Spielberg, a fellow Baffert trainee who was recently a game second to champion Essential Quality in the Grade 3 Southwest at Oaklawn Park. A son of Union Rags, Spielberg won the Grade 2 Los Alamitos Futurity in December and currently sits seventh on the leaderboard with 17 points.

He also has Grade 3 Holy Bull runner-up Tarantino for trainer Rodolphe Brisset, who was a last out fourth in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth and is No. 22 on the leaderboard with nine points.

Both Spielberg and Tarantino are owned by the same five other owners who also own Freedom Fighter.

Wolf said that the ownership group is an enjoyable one to be involved with.

“I've been friends with Tom [Ryan of SF Racing] a number of years,” said Wolf. “He talked to me about getting together with SF and then Sol came along as well. It's a really fun group of people. All of us have been through the highs and lows and we all have a good time, win, lose or draw.

“We've got two of the best trainers in the business,” Wolf added. “Bob doesn't get too excited until April, which is probably the right thing. I think if you have one that's qualified and doing well by April, then you can get excited. The end of a horse's 2-year-old year and the beginning of the following year is too early, but we all like to dream.”

Having traveled the road to the Kentucky Derby many times, Wolf said he knows not to get too carried away with Derby fever.

“There's so many variables between now and then, but it's cool to have nice horses and be in this position,” Wolf said.

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Highly Motivated defeated subsequent GII Remsen S. third-place finisher Known Agenda (Curlin)–a recent 11-length optional claiming winner at Gulfstream–in his Belmont maiden breaker at second asking Sept. 27, then most recently posted an ultra-impressive victory in the 6 1/2-furlong Nyquist S. with a 96 Beyer Speed Figure on Breeders' Cup Friday at Keeneland.

A trio of next out winners from the Nyquist include runner-up Quick Tempo (Tapizar), who followed up with a sharp, wire-to-wire score in the Sugar Bowl S. at Fair Grounds Dec. 19.

Javier Castellano, aboard Highly Motivated in all three of his previous starts at two, makes the trip from South Florida to ride the 8-5 morning-line favorite.

“All three of his races have been excellent, they have been outstanding efforts,” Brown said. “He certainly has kept good company. It looks to be a real solid group of 3-year-olds everywhere, and he's one of them. We rested him a bit and brought him back slowly. We're ready to get his 3-year-old campaign underway.”

Klaravich Stables and Brown will also be represented by promising Jan. 28 Aqueduct debut winner Crowded Trade (More Than Ready), who stormed home nicely to graduate by a length after breaking slowly going six furlongs.

The speedy Freedom Fighter (Violence), second choice at 5-2 on the morning line, invades from Hall of Famer Bob Baffert's Santa Anita base. A narrow, wire-to-wire debut winner at Del Mar last summer, he returned from the bench with a very game runner-up finish behind highly regarded stablemate and 'TDN Rising Star' Concert Tour (Street Sense) in the seven-furlong GII San Vicente S. Feb. 6. The dark bay fired a five-furlong warning shot for the Gotham in :59 1/5 (1/63) in Arcadia Feb. 27.

“He ran a pretty courageous race after some time off to finish second to Concert Tour, who I think is a nice horse,” Baffert said. “I wanted to keep him one turn for now. I'm not sure what his distance limitations are going to be, but I think the Gotham is a good step up going from seven-eighths to a mile. He should be ready for that.”

Wipe the Slate (Nyquist), a well-beaten sixth in the GIII Robert B. Lewis S. at Santa Anita Jan. 30, should appreciate this turnback in distance. He was a good-looking maiden winner going seven furlongs two starts back at second asking in Arcadia Dec. 26. Doug O'Neill removes the blinkers for this.

Capo Kane (Street Sense), a much-the-best, front-running winner of the track-and-trip Jerome S. Jan. 1, also cuts back in trip after setting the pace and finishing third in the nine-furlong Withers.

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A loaded Saturday card at Aqueduct features the Gotham, a one-turn mile that provides 50-20-10-5 Kentucky Derby qualifying points to the top four finishers; the Grade 3, $200,000 Tom Fool Handicap, a six-furlong sprint for older horses; the $250,000 Busher Invitational for 3-year-old fillies offering 50-20-10-5 Kentucky Oaks qualifying points; and the $125,000 Heavenly Prize Invitational, a one-turn mile for fillies and mares 4-years-old and up.

Trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, Freedom Fighter, stabled with trainer John Terranova, went out to the training track at 9:30 a.m. with exercise rider Simon Harris aboard while under the watchful eye of Terranova's wife and assistant, Tonja.

Terranova said fellow Baffert trainee Speed Pass, entered in the Tom Fool on the Gotham undercard, was out for exercise at 7:30 a.m.

“They just cruised around the track,” Tonja Terranova said. “They both looked great. Simon was happy with how they went and both of them ate up real well last night.”

A son of Violence, Freedom Fighter will see some added distance in the one-turn mile Gotham off a close second to stablemate Concert Tour in the Grade 2 San Vicente at seven furlongs at Santa Anita. The runner-up effort, which garnered a 94 Beyer Speed Figure, was his first start off a six-month layoff after a successful debut going gate-to-wire on August 1 at Del Mar.

Freedom Fighter is owned by SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Golconda Stables, Siena Farm and Robert Masterson and was bought for $120,000 from the 2019 Keeneland September Sale.

Manny Franco will pilot Freedom Fighter from post 7 in a field of eight.

Speed Pass, owned by Mike Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman, arrives at the Tom Fool – a six-furlong sprint for older horses – off a close third as the lukewarm favorite in an allowance optional claiming race on January 31 at Santa Anita, which was his first start in nearly a full calendar year.

A two-time winner at three-quarters of a mile, the son of Bodemeister was third in the Grade 2 Palos Verdes last January at Santa Anita and seeks his first trip to the winner's circle since defeating winners at Los Alamitos by seven lengths over a good and sealed track.

Trainer Doug O'Neill, who was nominated to the Hall of Fame this year, shipped Wipe the Slate for the Gotham. The chestnut son of second-crop sire Nyquist went to the training track at 10:00 a.m. for O'Neill's assistant Daniel Robles.

“Perfect, really good,” Robles said of the morning exercise. “I think we have a pretty good chance.”

Wipe the Slate was last out a distant sixth to Medina Spirit in the Grade 3 Robert B. Lewis on February 6 at Santa Anita going 1 1/16 miles and cuts back to one turn for the Gotham.

“That was a bad day for him, but he's come along well,” Robles said. “Going back to one turn should be good for him. That day, he was real nervous, but this time he seems much more calm and relaxed.”

Second to highly regarded Life Is Good on debut, Wipe the Slate broke his maiden in his following effort on December 26 at Santa Anita. He will take blinkers off for Saturday's race and will be ridden from post 4 by Aqueduct leading rider Kendrick Carmouche.

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Also firing bullets for Baffert Sunday at the Arcadia, Calif., track were 3-year-olds Freedom Fighter and Spielberg, who went six furlongs in identical times of 1:13 flat.

Elsewhere on the Triple Crown front, Baffert said he would “know next week” where Medina Spirit will run. Game neck winner of the G3 Robert B. Lewis Stakes on Jan. 30, the $35,000 bargain Florida-bred worked six furlongs Saturday in a bullet 1:12.40.

San Vicente winner Concert Tour is confirmed for the G2 Rebel at Oaklawn Park on March 13, while Freedom Fighter, second by a half-length to Concert Tour in the seven-furlong San Vicente, goes in the G3 Gotham at Aqueduct on March 6.

Trainer Michael McCarthy, meanwhile, reiterated Sunday morning that “all options are open” for Rombauer's next race, not committing specifically to the Runhappy Santa Anita Derby, saying only that the colt's next race would be at the distance of a mile and an eighth.

Rombauer, a son of Twirling Candy, came from 11 ½ lengths behind at the half-mile marker to win his 3-year-old debut in the mile and an eighth El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields on Feb. 13.

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Baffert filled the TDN's Christie DeBernardis in on his plans for his leading sophomores and a few of his other top runners.

• LIFE IS GOOD (c, 3, Into Mischief)

Though champion Authentic is now retired, Baffert has another son of Into Mischief who may be poised to fill his shoes in the undefeated Life is Good. Tabbed a 'TDN Rising Star' following his dazzling debut win at Del Mar Nov. 22, the $525,000 KEESEP buy followed suit with a victory in Santa Anita's GIII Sham S. Jan. 2.

“He is still doing well. He runs in the San Felipe, so we are getting ready for that.”

• CONCERT TOUR (c, 3, Street Sense)

Baffert has another unbeaten 'TDN Rising Star' on the Derby trail in Concert Tour. An impressive first-out winner at Santa Anita Jan. 15, the Gary and Mary West homebred captured the GII San Vicente S. next out Feb. 6.

“All is well. He is going to go to the [GII] Rebel [S. Mar. 13 at Oaklawn].”

• FREEDOM FIGHTER (c, 3, Violence)

Freedom Fighter carries the banner for the group known as the Avengers. The dark bay won his career bow at Del Mar Aug. 1 and came up a half-length short of Concert Tour when second in the San Vicente.

“I am going to send him to the [GIII] Gotham [S. Mar. 6 at Aqueduct].”

• MEDINA SPIRIT (c, 3, Protonico)

Opening his account at Los Alamitos Dec. 11, Medina Spirit completed the exacta behind Life is Good in the Sham. The Florida-bred broke through at the graded level next out with a gritty score in Santa Anita's GIII Robert B. Lewis S. Jan. 30.

“He is nominated everywhere. I will know in about another week. I sort of have an idea, but I am waiting.”

• SPIELBERG (c, 3, Union Rags)

Also campaigned by the Avengers crew, Spielberg placed in both the GI Runhappy Del Mar Futurity S. and the GI American Pharoah S. prior to breaking his maiden at Del Mar Nov. 1. Fourth in the GIII Bob Hope S. Nov. 15, the $1-million KEESEP purchase captured the GII Los Alamitos Futurity S. Dec. 19 and was a disappointing fourth in the Bob Lewis last out.

“He came back and worked well. I might run him in the [GIII] Southwest [S. at Oaklawn Feb. 27].”

• CLASSIER (c, 3, Empire Maker)

Classier, a $775,000 KEESEP acquisition, earned 'TDN Rising Star' honors for his impressive career bow in Arcadia Oct. 24 and was eighth when last seen in the GI TVG Breeders' Cup Juvenile S. Nov. 6.

   “I had a set back with him. He is off the Derby trail.”

• TRIPLE TAP (c, 3, Tapit)

Summer Wind homebred Triple Tap has yet to make the races, but his pedigree makes him a very exciting prospect. The chestnut is a half-brother to Triple Crown hero American Pharoah and a full to Jane Lyon's Grade I winner Chasing Yesterday.

“He actually had his first gate work [Thursday] and he went really well [five furlongs in :59.60 (1/32)] (Click here for XBTV video). He's about a month away still. He is getting there slowly. I don't want to jinx him or anything, but he is a nice horse.”

• KALYPSO (f, 3, Brody's Cause)

Earning her diploma at third asking in the Anoakia S. Oct. 18, Kalypso checked in second in the GI Starlet S. at Los Alamitos Dec. 5 and came back to win the GII Santa Ynez S. Jan. 3. The chestnut completed the exacta last time in Santa Anita's GIII Las Virgenes S. Feb. 6.

“She is doing well. She is probably more of a one-turn horse, but we will run her back in the next race here [the GIII Santa Ysabel S. Mar. 7] or the [GII] Santa Anita Oaks [Apr. 3]. I'm not sure yet.”

• VARDA (f, 3, Distorted Humor)

A debut winner at Del Mar Aug. 30, Varda was second to retired stablemate Princess Noor (Not This Time) in Santa Anita's GII Chandelier S. Sept. 26. The bay defeated both that rival and Kalypso when taking the GI Starlet S. at odds of 17-1.

“She has a little set back and is off the Oaks trail.”

• GAMINE (f, 4, Into Mischief)

Yet another first-out winner from this barn to earn the 'TDN Rising Star' tag Mar. 7, Gamine was disqualified from a two-turn victory at Oaklawn May 2. Dominating both the GI Longines Acorn S. June 20 and the GI Longines Test S. Aug. 8, the $1.8-million EASMAY buy crossed the line third in the Kentucky Oaks, but was disqualified and placed ninth for a positive test Sept. 4. The bay captured the GI Breeders' Cup F/M Sprint S. Nov. 7, clinching the female sprint championship in the process.

   “Gamine is doing well. She had her second little breeze. We are pointing for Derby week maybe, the GI Derby City Distaff.”

• HAPPIER (f, 4, Street Sense)

Happier wired the field to earn her diploma and 'TDN Rising Star' honors in her Del Mar unveiling July 31. Sent to the sidelines following that effort, the $800,000 KEESEP purchase returned to action in Arcadia Feb. 14, winning an optional claimer.

“She is a very nice filly. I think she wants to go longer, so we will look to stretch her out.”

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A son of Violence, Baffert said Freedom Fighter will make his next start in the Grade 3 Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct under Manny Franco. Freedom Fighter was runner-up in the San Vicente Stakes on Feb. 6 to stablemate Concert Tour.

Both the San Felipe and the Gotham will be run on March 6.

“He went extremely well,” Baffert said of Life Is Good, a son of Into Mischief owned by China Horse Club and WinStar Farm.

Baffert also was pleased with Freedom Fighter, who stretches out from the seven-furlong San Vicente to the one-turn mile of the Gotham which, like the San Felipe, offers 50 Kentucky Derby qualifying points to the winner and 20, 10, five to the horses finishing second through fourth.

Baffert also worked Eclipse Award champion female sprinter Gamine “an easy half” in 50.20.

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None of the weekend's races has been overly productive for Triple Crown success.

The Grade 3 Withers has been around since 1874, run at different New York tracks but only moved to February at Aqueduct in 2012. Before that, Bernardini used the Withers in 2006 as a tune-up for his victory in the G1 Preakness Stakes. No winner since has been victorious in a Triple Crown race.

The G3 Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs has been a gateway race to bigger and better things for several horses in recent years. Most notably, Tapwrit, the Davis runner-up to McCraken in 2017, would win that year's G1 Belmont Stakes, doing one better than 2016 Davis winner Destin, who fell a nose short of Creator in the Belmont. Both Tapwrit and Destin were trained by Todd Pletcher.

Finally, the G2 San Vicente Stakes at Santa Anita – the only one of the three races not offering Kentucky Derby points – has a solid roster of winners led by 1997 Kentucky Derby-Preakness victor Silver Charm and by 2016 Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist. At seven furlongs, it's often used as a starting point for 3-year-olds getting ready to stretch out to longer distances.

Before we look at those three race winners, there was also a highly anticipated maiden event on Sunday at Santa Anita involving one of the most hyped horses of the year, Bezos, a colt by Empire Maker from the Bob Baffert stable. The massive colt, weighing in at over 1,300 pounds, was being compared to horses like Triple Crown winner Justify, who didn't make his first start until mid-February. Bezos had trained forwardly last year, from early May through late July. Baffert backed off until late in the year, with the colt breezing 10 times from early December until his debut, where he was made the 3-5 favorite.

Bezos, ridden by Mike Smith, got a perfect trip in the 6 ½-furlong race, sitting just behind dueling pacesetters for the opening half mile. But when the field turned for home, Bezos came up empty, winding up seventh of nine runners, beaten 15 ¼ lengths by a 20-1 longshot named Dream Shake, a Twirling Candy colt making his career debut for Peter Eurton.

Dream Shake is geared down nearing the wire by Joel Rosario

With Joel Rosario in the saddle, Dream Shake broke alertly from the outside post and remained wide throughout. Eighth after the opening quarter mile (in a slow :23.40), Dream Shake made a strong run from inside the half mile pole to the quarter pole that brought him into contention. He quickly moved to the lead while still wide, was under an aggressive hand ride from Rosario and got one tap of the whip in midstretch while pulling away. He was wrapped up in the end, winning by 4 ¾ lengths in 1:17.34 on a fast track and earning a 96 Beyer Speed Figure that was higher than any of the weekend Triple Crown prep stakes winners.

Bred by Dunwoody Farm, Dream Shake was a $32,000 pinhook from the Keeneland September Yearling Sale that Cary Frommer sold for $75,000 at the OBS Spring Sale of 2-year-olds in training. He races for Exline-Border Racing, SAF Racing and Richard Hausman.

Now, on to the three stakes races. My Report Card grades are on an A to F scale and are subjective, based on my personal “eyeball test,” Beyer Speed Figures from Daily Racing Form, historical significance of the race and perceived quality of field.

Feb. 6 Withers Stakes, 1 1/8 miles, Aqueduct

Risk Taking was made the 19-10 favorite off a solid maiden win in his third career start on Dec. 13 going 1 1/8 miles at Aqueduct. Trainer Chad Brown debuted the Medaglia d'Oro colt sprinting at Belmont October 10 when he raced in seventh throughout. Next start was going 1 1/16 miles on turf, where Risk Taking was a non-threatening sixth. Blinkers were added for his maiden-breaking score and that seems to have awakened Risk Taking.

Risk Taking and Eric Cancel at the wire in the Withers

The Withers field included Capo Kane, the runaway winner of the one-turn Jerome Stakes (graded by me as a C-) on Jan. 1, and Jerome runner-up Eagle Orb. As expected, Capo Kane set the pace, with Eric Cancel keeping Risk Taking in a pocket while racing sixth in the early going. Approaching the far turn, Cancel found a seam and gradually began to gain on the leader, turning into the stretch less than three lengths behind, then ranging up alongside and passing the drifting out leader, Capo Kane, in the final furlong. Risk Taking drew off to win by 3 ¾ lengths, stopping the clock in 1:51.91 and getting an 89 Beyer Speed Figure, a big improvement from his maiden breaking 82 Beyer. Todd Pletcher-trained Overtook, a lumbering Curlin colt coming off a maiden win going one mile, was up for second after trailing early.

Neither the winner or the runner-up showed any early speed or quick acceleration, but both look like further distances would be no problem. There's probably a reason both Risk Taking and Overtook were left in New York for the winter rather than head to Florida where the waters are a little deeper for Triple Crown hopefuls.

From a pedigree standpoint, Risk Taking is by a proven stallion who has sired Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra, the brilliant Songbird, and G1 Breeders' Cup Turf winner Talismanic. Risk Taking, bred by G. Watts Humphrey Jr., is out of the Distorted Humor mare Run a Risk and traces back to a very successful female family developed by Ogden Phipps, including fourth dam Con Game, who produced Seeking the Gold and Fast Play, and fifth dam Broadway, who produced Ruffian's sire Reviewer. Risk Taking was purchased on behalf of Seth Klarman's Klaravich Stables for $240,000 at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

Grade C

Feb. 6 Sam F. Davis Stakes, 1 1/16 miles, Tampa Bay Downs

Todd Pletcher-trained Known Agenda was made the 3-2 favorite in the field of 12 in this 1 1/16-mile race, but 3-1 second choice Candy Man Rocket got the job done in workmanlike fashion in his first time around two turns for trainer Bill Mott. The Candy Ride colt, ridden by Junior Alvarado and owned by Frank Fletcher Racing Operations, was one length the best over stablemate Nova Rags (by Union Rags), who had the benefit of a race over the track (winning the Pasco on Jan. 16 and getting a grade of D from me) but also making his two-turn debut.

The third-place finisher, Hidden Stash, gained 4 1/4 lengths on the winner in the final furlong, according to the Equibase chart, and visually did not appear to be accelerating as much as the winner was slowing down.

The final time of 1:44.30 came after a six-furlong clocking of 1:10.80 and mile split in 1:37.22, meaning a final sixteenth in 7.08 seconds and a final five-sixteenths in 33.50. The winner received a Beyer Speed Figure of 85, the same as his maiden win.

Candy Man Rocket and jockey Junior Alvarado winning the Sam F. Davis Stakes

My first thought after watching the Davis was that Bill Mott is not the kind of trainer who is going to try to pound a square peg into a round hole. Candy Man Rocket looked sensational sprinting to a 9 ¼-length victory at Gulfstream Park Jan. 9 in his second career start. He was good enough to win at 1 1/16 miles over a fairly weak field, but it's hard to make a case that he's going to get better as the races get longer. I would not be surprised to see this colt doing his best racing at seven furlongs to a mile in the spring and summer.

From a pedigree standpoint, Candy Ride has been very successful at stud and was a classic-distance winner himself. Like Risk Taking, the real quality in Candy Man Rocket's female family is in the fourth generation where you find 1983 Broodmare of the Year Courtly Dee, dam of Althea and other stakes winners.

Grade C-

Feb. 6 San Vicente Stakes, seven furlongs, Santa Anita

Gary and Mary West's homebred Street Sense colt Concert Tour was favored at 2-5 but was all out to get by Bob Baffert stablemate Freedom Fighter (by Violence) to take down the winner's share of the $200,000 purse.  The latter, away at 5-1 odds, set the early pace in a five-horse field, dueled with the quick California-bred gelding The Chosen Vron, then forgot to read the odds board as he continued to roll down the stretch, not giving way to Concert Tour until the very end, beaten a half length. That was Freedom Fighter's first start since winning his debut at Del Mar Aug. 1 at 1-2 odds, prevailing by a head in a five-furlong tilt.

Concert Tour (outside) overtakes Freedom Fighter in deep stretch to win the San Vicente

The winner also won his debut on Jan. 15 at even money, earning an 88 Beyer Speed Figure (compared to Freedom Fighter's 79 last year).

Baffert has won this race 11 times since Silver Charm's victory in 1997 and said after Concert Tour's victory that he likes using it as a progression for horses like Nadal, the 2020 winner who then stretched out to two turns, taking both the G2 Rebel and a division of the G1 Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn. Don't be surprised to see Concert Tour try a similar path, as Baffert's No. 1 Derby prospect, Life Is Good, will remain at Santa Anita to contest the G2 San Felipe Stakes on March 6.

Sire Street Sense was precocious enough to win the G1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile at two and won four of eight starts at three, including the Kentucky Derby and G1 Travers at 1 ¼ miles. Concert Tour's dam, Purse Strings (by Tapit), wasn't the most successful racemare, not breaking her maiden until her 12^th career start and never racing again, but she appears to have produced a good one in Concert Tour.

Grade B

Coming up this Presidents' Day weekend are the G2 Risen Star from Fair Grounds on Saturday and Monday's G3 Southwest Stakes from Oaklawn.

Previously:

Feb 2 Triple Crown Weekend Prep Report Card

Jan 26 Triple Crown Weekend Prep Report Card

Jan. 18 Triple Crown Weekend Prep Report Card

Jan. 3 Triple Crown Weekend Prep Report Card

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With Freedom Fighter and Drayden Van Dyke darting to the lead from the rail, Concert Tour, who broke from the outside in a field of five, was just one length off his stablemate and The Chosen Vron three furlongs out.  The Chosen Vron, who had driven up the rail inside Freedom Fighter, dropped back a bit leaving the quarter pole and from that point it was all Baffert to the wire.

“Freedom Fighter just broke like a rocket ship, he's really fast and been doing really well,” said Baffert.  “Rosario was trying to teach this horse how to rate a little bit and I thought they were going to get into a speed duel.  I think it was a good race for both of them.

“I learned a lot about (Concert Tour), how he wants to run and maybe he doesn't need blinkers…Now we go to where I can stretch them out…I think from here you can take that big jump that you want to take, he's going to have to really step it up for now, but now he's ready for it.”

A 3 ½ length first-out maiden winner going six furlongs on Jan. 15, Concert Tour was off at 2-5 and paid $2.80, $2.40 and $2.10.

“After the other horse (Freedom Fighter) went to the lead, I thought the two horse (The Chosen Vron) was going to go faster, but he took his time and I thought I was in a good spot,” said Rosario.  “He was a little green and cut away a little bit at the last part when I took the lead.  I thought it was a good race.”

By Street Sense, out of the Tapit mare Purse Strings, Concert Tour picked up $120,000 for the win, increasing his earnings to $156,600.

Freedom Fighter, who had been idle since breaking his maiden at first asking going five furlongs on Aug. 1, ran huge off the bench, finishing 2 ¾ lengths in front of The Chosen Vron.  Off at 5-1, Freedom Fighter paid $3.60 and $2.20.

The Chosen Vron, who didn't appear to like being inside a quarter mile from home, kept to his task through the lane in a solid effort.  Ridden by Mike Smith, he was off at 7-2 and paid $2.10 to show while finishing six lengths clear of Found My Ball.

Fractions on the race were 23.41, 45.98 and 1:10.56.

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It will be the first start in five months for Freedom Fighter, a son Violence, who led throughout his debut race at Del Mar last Aug. 1, winning the five-furlong dash by a head as the 1-2 favorite.

“Going seven eighths is a tough distance,” Baffert said, “but he's quick and he's had good works. He broke his maiden first out and then we had to back off him, but he's doing well.”

Freedom Fighter, who will be ridden by Drayden Van Dyke, has amply displayed his readiness with a series of recent breezes, including three bullet works, the most recent a five furlong move from the gate on Jan. 28 in 59.60, handily, the fastest of 70 drills at the distance.

Concert Tour was no secret as a debut winner going six furlongs on Jan. 15. The son of Street Sense owned and bred by Gary and Mary West was in hand late as the even-money favorite, scoring by 3 ½ lengths under Joel Rosario who is back aboard Saturday.

Baffert will be seeking to add to his record of 10 San Vicente victories, having captured his first in 1997 with eventual Kentucky Derby winner Silver Charm.

Subsequent triumphs were posted by Exploit (1999), Kafwain (2003), Fusaichi Rock Star (2005), Too Much Bling (2006), The Factor (2011), Drill (2012), Shakin It Up (2013), Lord Nelson (2015) and Nadal last year.

Meanwhile, individual Kentucky Derby Future Book favorite Life Is Good worked four furlongs Monday in 48.80, breezing.

“He looked really good and he's doing everything right,” said Baffert, who confirmed the Sham Stakes winner will make his next start in the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes March 6, adding, “We've got a long way to go.”

The San Vicente, race seven of 10 with a 12 noon first post time: Freedom Fighter, Drayden Van Dyke, 5-2; The Chosen Vron, Mike Smith, 5-2; Uncle Boogie, Abel Cedillo, 12-1; Found My Ball, Mario Gutierrez, 3-1; and Concert Tour, Joel Rosario, 8-5.

The Chosen Vron blew out four furlongs Wednesday in 48.20 for trainer Eric Kruljac. Mr. Impossible was scratched.

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