![]() ![]() He moved from last place on the leaderboard to eighth place, putting him solidly in the 20-horse field for the Derby. Taiba earned 100 qualifying points for the May 7 Kentucky Derby. Obviously, this horse has that type of talent.” “You don’t see that at this level unless you’re just exceptionally, exceptionally gifted. “It’s hard to actually verbalize what he just accomplished,” Yakteen said. But Taiba flashed his early speed and took on both rivals out of the starting gate. The major West Coast prep for the Kentucky Derby was expected to be a showdown between Messier and Forbidden Kingdom. Yakteen, once a longtime assistant for Baffert, took over a couple weeks later. Taiba made his debut at Santa Anita on March 5, winning by 7 1/2 lengths for Baffert. Armagnac, the third colt in the field who came to Yakteen from Baffert’s barn, was fourth.įorbidden Kingdom, the even-money favorite, was last in the field of six. Happy Jack was another 10 lengths back in third and paid $4.20 to show. Purchased for $1.7 million, he's a son of 2017 Horse of the Year Gun Runner. In California, Taiba won just the second start of his career and his first in a stakes race, running 1 1/8 miles in 1:48.67. He ran 1 1/8 miles in 1:50.35 on the muddy-to-good track and paid $6.20 to win.Īt Aqueduct, Mo Donegal rallied to win the $750,000 Wood Memorial by a neck. “Overwhelmed is an understatement.”Īt Keeneland, Zandon rallied from the back of the field to overtake favorite Smile Happy in the stretch and win the $1 million Blue Grass by 2½ lengths. “Pretty exciting moment,” Yakteen said in the winner's circle, his forehead sweaty under a hot sun. ![]() Both colts are trained by Tim Yakteen, who took over recently for Bob Baffert, the six-time Kentucky Derby winner serving a 90-day suspension. ![]() Ridden by Hall of Famer Mike Smith, Taiba overtook pacesetter Messier in the stretch and went on to win against the West Coast's top contenders for the first Saturday in May. (AP) - Taiba won the $750,000 Santa Anita Derby by 2 1/4 lengths on Saturday on the last weekend of major prep races for the Kentucky Derby. ![]()
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