Hendricks Impressed With Derek's Turf Drill

(from Hollywood Park notes)
Passing the test with a five-furlong breeze in 1:01 2/5 on the turf Sunday, Brother Derek may have earned his first start on grass in the $500,000 Holllywood Derby (gr. IT) next Sunday.

"He looked great; he seemed to handle it just fine," said trainer Dan Hendricks after the colt turned in his second grass work here in four days. Luis Ortega was aboard for the move.

"I'm going to talk with Cecil (owner Cecil Peacock) tonight to discuss whether his style fits this turf course before we decide if he runs," said Hendricks.

Brother Derek has won six of 13 starts and earned $1,533,458. Winner of the Santa Anita Derby and Hollywood Futurity (both gr. I), he would become the first horse to win both the Santa Anita Derby and Hollywood Derby since the autumn meet began at Hollywood Park in 1981 and the the race was transferred to turf. The last horse to win both was Codex in 1980.

If he runs in the grade I test at 1 ¼ miles, Brother Derek would have regular jockey Alex Solis aboard. The line-up is expected to include Crested (Victor Espinoza), Dark Islander (Jose Valdivia, Jr.), Ivan Denisovich (John Velazquez), Kip Deville (Julien Leparoux), Obrigado (Garrett Gomez), Showing Up (Cornelio Velasquez), Vega's Lord (Aaron Gryder), and Zann (David Flores). Possibles include On Board Again and Falcon Scott.

Dark Islander, winner of the Oak Tree Derby (gr. IIT), worked five furlongs on turf in 1:02 2/5 under exercise rider Nigel Day, while runner-up Obrigado turned in a bullet seven-furlong drill in 1:27.

Showing Up, the probable favorite, is scheduled to be flown to Southern California from New York Tuesday, the same day that European invaders Ivan Denisovich and Vega's Lord arrive from Ireland and Germany, respectively. Both will clear quarantine Thursday.