Wannawinemall Works Toward Santa Anita Derby

El Camino Real Derby (gr. III) runner-up Wannawinemall, set to make his next start in the April 9 Santa Anita Derby (gr. I), worked six furlongs in 1:12 4/5 under trainer Kristin Mulhall at Santa Anita Sunday morning.

It was the seventh-fastest of the 22 horses who went three- quarters of a mile on the morning.

Wannawinemall had some trouble in the El Camino Real, bleeding a five on a scale of five, but the problem has since been corrected, according to his 22-year-old conditioner.

"He worked perfect, it was just what I wanted," Mulhall explained. "We've got the bleeding completely under control. We didn't know he was doing it, but now that we do we can control it and prevent it from happening again. He's been training better than ever now; he really put his head down today and stretched out. I couldn't be any happier with how he's doing."

With a strong effort in the final major Southern California Kentucky Derby (gr. I) prep he nearly black son of Royal Anthem could move on to the Run for the Roses. The problem, according to Mulhall, is finding a top rider for the colt. Mike Smith rode Wannawinemall in his last three starts.

"Mike had already committed to (fellow Santa Anita Derby hopeful) Giacomo for Mr. and Mrs. Moss," Mulhall said. "I'm looking for a rider who will commit to my horse at least through the Kentucky Derby. All the top jocks out here are already taken, so we're looking around. We're open to looking around the country for the right one for him."

Wannawinemall, an $85,000 September yearling purchase, has one win, a second and two thirds from for starts and has banked $78,400.