Showing Up Ready for Hollywood Derby; Derek Confirmed

(from Hollywood Park notes)
Showing Up, the probable favorite for the $500,000 Hollywood Derby (gr. IT) Sunday, arrived in Southern California Tuesday from New York.

"He's laid back in his stall but aggressive in his races," said Robin Smullen, assistant to trainer Barclay Tagg, after jogging the chestnut colt once around the main track. "He's not hard to ride, but wants to get it done."

Lael Stables' Showing Up, victorious in six of eight starts - including three-for-four on turf - can enhance his reputation among the nation's turf elite in the 1 ¼ mile-mile grass test.

The colt, seeking his second grade I victory after accounting for the Secretariat at Arlington, has won in five different states.

"He's well-traveled and handled the flight well," said Smullen. He is scheduled to school at the gate Thursday.

Groom Roberto Mendoza also accompanied Showing Up on the flight. Tagg is scheduled to arrive Sunday.

Lael Stables is the nom de course for Gretchen and Roy Jackson, who also own Kentucky Derby Presnted by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner Barbaro. The Pennsylvania couple is expected for the race.

A field of nine is probable: Showing Up (Cornelio Velasquez), Brother Derek (Alex Solis), Crested (Victor Espinoza), Dark Islander (Jose Valdivia Jr.), Ivan Denisovich (John Velazquez), Kip Deville (Julien Leparoux), Obrigado (Garrett Gomez), Vega's Lord (Aaron Gryder), and Zann (David Flores).

Trainer Dan Hendricks confirmed that Brother Derek, a Grade I stakes winner on dirt, will make his first turf start following two works on the grass here.

"He's doing super, and Cecil (owner Cecil Peacock) wants to run," said Hendricks. "It's a tough race to win, but he couldn't be doing better; so we'll leave it up to Alex.

European invaders Ivan Denisovich and Vega's Lord arrived from Ireland and Germany, respectively, and were waiting to clear quarantine. Ivan Denisovich, trained by Aidan O'Brien, finished second to Showing Up in the Secretariat.