Derby hopefuls in allowance

ARCADIA, Calif. – The Kentucky Derby is less than two months away, yet the list of candidates remains long. The question: Which ones are legit?

“Everybody is a Derby hopeful right now,” trainer Bob Baffert said Sunday. “In April, we’ll know.”

The elimination process continues Thursday at Santa Anita, where the lightly raced Reach the World and Battle of Midway race 1 1/16 miles in the seventh race, an entry-level allowance with Derby implications.

Reach the World, a Bafferttrained Tapit colt who scored a workmanlike maiden victory last out, is the horse to beat. Pending his performance Thursday, Baffert planned his next start: “He’ll run here, and

then I’ll run him back in the Santa Anita Derby,” he said.

Battle of Midway, a highly regarded Smart Strike colt trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, stretches out following a disappointing third as the odds-on choice in a Grade 2 sprint. The colt’s debut victory was impressive; he was compromised second out by training and trip.

“We had weather circumstances that affected the work pattern, and I think he got caught in a spot where he didn’t want to be,” Hollendorfer said. “We think the horse is coming around.”

Reach the World and Battle of Midway face a deep cast of 3-yearolds. The field includes Sharp Samurai, a maiden winner by more than nine lengths in his first start since being gelded; the Baffert comebacker Irish Freedom; the comebacker Vexatious; and the stakes-placed turf runner Soglio.

Reach the World set modest fractions in wiring a maiden route last time. Baffert envisions a tougher test Thursday. “He didn’t have a lot of competition last time, he was out there lollygagging. This time, he’s going to have some competition,” Baffert said.

KEY CONTENDERS

Reach the World, by Tapit Last 2 Beyers: 85-74

◗ Baffert said Reach the World is “not a real quick horse; he’s got a lot of stamina. He’s a big horse, he’s a big Tapit.” Mike Smith rides. Battle of Midway, by Smart Strike Last 2 Beyers: 80-88

◗ Flavien Prat takes over on Battle of Midway, who had an uncomfortable trip while finishing third in the San Vicente, getting shuffled back several times and losing by eight lengths.

◗ He worked six furlongs Sunday in 1:14.40, according to Hollendorfer; the official time was five furlongs in 1:00.20. “He looked good doing it,” Hollendorfer said.

Sharp Samurai, by First Samurai Last 2 Beyers: 84-42

◗ Trainer Mark Glatt gelded Sharp Samurai after his debut due to a lack of focus. In his comeback under jockey Joe Talamo, he won a $75,000 maiden-claiming route by more than nine lengths. “I was surprised at how easily he won,” Glatt said.