Bob Baffert-trainees Point Determined and Bob And John , the race favorite, tracked behind the leading group into the stretch.Point Determined appeared to be losing ground, but once jockey Garrett Gomez found an opening, he burst forward but could not get past the undaunted winner. A.P. Warrior won by a ½ length over Point Determined, while Bob And John leveled out to finish 2 lengths back in third. The 1 1/16 mile race was completed in a time of 1:42:4 over a fast track.

"When that other horse (Point Determined) came to me, he pinned his ears and dug in like I thought he would.... He was relaxed. I really think the sky is the limit with this horse," said winning jockey Corey Nakatani, who was aboard A.P. Warrior for the first time.

After finishing fourth in the Hollywood Futurity (gr. I) and El Camino Real Derby (gr. III), the winning son of A.P. Indy was transferred from trainer Eoin Harty to last year’s Kentucky Derby (gr. I) winning trainer John Shirreffs. When asked if he had to do much with the winner, Shirreffs replied, "Not really, no. The same as normal...We just didn’t want to interfere with him, just let him run his race." The bay colt is owned by Stan E. Fulton, owner of Sunland Park in New Mexico.

A.P. Warrior is a sure thing for the Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) on April 8. Point Determined, who made his stakes debut, and Bob And John have not yet had a spot picked out by trainer Bob Baffert. Brother Derek, who defeated today’s first and third-place finishers in the Hollywood Futurity (gr. I), and Sacred Light are the other current probables for Southern California’s last major Kentucky Derby (gr. I) prep race.

In Other Triple Crown News:

Rebel Stakes

Oaklawn Park - Hot Springs, AR

Lawyer Ron had no problem defending his win streak as he won his fifth-straight in the Rebel Stakes (gr. III). Employing a new running style, jockey John McKee kept the chestnut colt in mid-pack instead of the front, moved him up on the far turn, and split away to win by 3 lengths. Red Raymond finished second (creating a 1-2 finish for trainer Bob Holthus), and Steppenwolfer finished another neck back in third. Private Vow made his three-year-old debut in this race, and finished a disappointing seventh in the field of ten. The 1 1/16 miles were completed in 1:44:09. The top two finishers are expected to run in the Arkansas Derby (gr. II) on Apr. 15.

Gotham Stakes

Aqueduct - Ozone Park, NY

36-1 shot Like Now never let go of the lead as he held on to win the Gotham Stakes (gr. III) by a neck over Keyed Entry. The bay gelding set fractions of 23:25, 47:78, 1:12:30, and 1:43:17 for the 1 1/16 mile Kentucky Derby prep. Sweetnorthernsaint completed the top three. The winner is trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, ridden by Fernando Jara, and owned by John J. Dillon. Favored Achilles Of Troy finished a far-back fifth and was vanned off after the race with a sore right-front leg. Like Now and Keyed Entry are headed for the Wood Memorial (gr. I) on April 8.

Tampa Bay Derby

Tampa Bay Downs - Oldsmar, FL

Deputy Glitters upset heavy-favorite Bluegrass Cat to win the 1 1/16 mile Tampa Bay Derby (gr. III). The winner stalked before taking the lead on the far turn and holding onto a comfortable two length victory over Bluegrass Cat. Pacesetter Winnies Tigger Too held on for third. The final time was 1:44:26 seconds. Thomas Albertrani trains, Jose Lezcano rides, and Joseph Lacombe Stables, Inc. own the winner. The Bluegrass Stakes (gr. II) or Wood Memorial (gr. I) is next for Deputy Glitters.

 

Marcie Heacox is a high school senior in California who aspires to major in Communications and work in horse racing journalism. Feel free to contact her at mheacox87@hotmail.com , and visit her website, http://www.freewebs.com/azerirules/ .