(from Santa Anita notes)
Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) winner Brother Derek will miss the Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) due to a chip in his left ankle.
“It’s a recurring problem that probably will require four months,” trainer Dan Hendricks said Sunday morning. “It’s not the end of the world. We’ll do a nuclear scan Tuesday.
“Basically, he’s got a little chip that has to come out, and we’re going to turn him out and bring him back for a fall campaign. It’s very minor, but the best thing for the horse is to go at it now, let him recuperate, and come back strong as ever.”
Owned by Canadian oilman Cecil Peacock, Brother Derek has six wins from 16 starts with earnings of $1,593,458. The 4-year-old California-bred son of Benchmark was third in the Strub Stakes (gr. II) in his most recent start on Feb. 3.
With the defection of Brother Derek, Alex Solis has been engaged to ride Boboman. The Hollywood Turf Cup (gr. IT) winner worked five furlongs for Richard Mandella on Santa Anita’s main track Sunday in company in :58 4/5. Solis, who has ridden the son of Kingmambo four times, winning twice, was aboard for the work in company with Dixie Banker and Gout de Terroir.
"He was very impressive,” Solis said of Boboman. “The work went like Richard wanted it. The horse has a long stride and he’s very athletic for a big horse, so he should adapt to the dirt.”
All of Boboman’s 11 career starts have been on grass.
Added Mandella: “It was pretty nice. It excited me.”
Lava Man was assigned top weight of 124 pounds, seven pounds more than second high weight Arson Squad, winner of the Strub.
“I think it’s fair,” trainer Doug O’Neill said. “He’s definitely the deserving high weight. Now he needs to run like it.”
Probable for the Big ’Cap: Arson Squad, Garrett Gomez, 117; Awesome Gem, Tyler Baze, 116; Ball Four, Julien Leparoux, 116; Boboman, Alex Solis, 115; El Roblar, Richard Migliore, 114; Lava Man, Corey Nakatani, 124; McCann’s Mojave, Frank Alvarado, 115; Molengao, Victor Espinoza, 116; and Spring at Last, David Flores, 115.
Brother Derek will be turned out to prepare for a fall campaign.
