Stevie Wonderboy Zips Six Furlongs in San Rafael Work

Edited Santa Anita report
Stevie Wonderboy, winner of the Bessemer Trust Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I), worked six furlongs on Hollywood Park's fast main track Thursday in 1:12 3/5, breezing, for his 3-year-old debut in the grade II San Rafael Stakes at one mile on Jan. 14.

"He worked unbelievable," said Dennis O'Neill, brother of trainer Doug O'Neill. "He went 1:12 breezing and he galloped out in 1:25 (seven furlongs) and 1:39 (a mile). He worked really, really good. We're good to go. He couldn't be doing any better."

Asked if he or the colt's connections had given any thought to the fact that no Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner has ever won the Kentucky Derby (gr. I), O'Neill dismissed that negative history.

"Absolutely, we've thought about it," he said. "The thing is, all these horses are individuals and someone's eventually going to break that streak. If any horse can, he can. He's built for it and working like it; he's sound, so we'll just keep our fingers crossed."

Meanwhile, Dan Hendricks plans to work Hollywood Futurity (gr. I) winner Brother Derek this weekend for his San Rafael showdown with Stevie Wonderboy.

"He‚ll probably work five furlongs and then run the following Saturday," the trainer said of the up-and-coming California-bred. "I haven't set it in stone yet."