On the day after I'll Have Another squeaked out a dramatic Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) victory over Creative Cause , trainer Doug O'Neill said he's unsure of when he'll ship the colt to Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).
Trainer Mike Harrington said runner-up Creative Cause would leave for Kentucky on April 28.
Both trainers reported April 8 that their charges were in good order following a tremendous stretch duel in which I'll Have Another prevailed by a nose. It was the closest finish in the Santa Anita Derby since Skywalker nosed out Fast Account in 1985.
“He came out great,” said O’Neill of 4-1 second choice I’ll Have Another. The victory, worth $450,000 to the winner, ensured J. Paul Reddam's son of Flower Alley a slot in the Churchill starting gate for the May 5 Run for the Roses.
“He ate up his dinner and his legs were ice cold this morning,” O’Neill said. “I’m not sure whether we’ll ship to Kentucky a few weeks out or a week out. Plans haven’t been finalized.”
Jockey Mario Gutierrez, after a superb ride on I'll Have Another, earned the mount on Reddam’s Handsome Mike in the $1 million Arkansas Derby (gr. I) April 14 at Oaklawn Park.
Harrington said Creative Cause, the 9-10 favorite in the Santa Anita Derby, was also in good shape afterward.
“He looks good this morning,” Harrington said. “He was a little tired but none the worse for wear.”
I'll Have Another
Benoit Photo