HORSE RACING Trainer Baffert has a win, runner-up

He is in great shape to make another run for the roses in four weeks.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
NEW YORK -- Bob Baffert is back on the Kentucky Derby scene in a big way.
The three-time Derby winning trainer sent out Bob and John to victory in Saturday's $750,000 Wood Memorial, followed about an hour later by Point Determined's runner-up finish to Brother Derek in the $750,000 Santa Anita Derby.
The results in two of the final major preps for the Derby has Baffert in great shape to make another run for the roses in four weeks.
Baffert was at Aqueduct for Bob and John's 11/2-length win over Jazil, then left for the airport for the return trip to California.
In the rain, he loved what he saw from Bob and John.
Bob and John, making his first start outside California, caught pacesetter Keyed Entry at the top of the stretch over a sloppy track and took control inside the eighth pole. Jazil came charging down the stretch and nipped Keyed Entry by a half-length for second in the nine-horse field.
"This is a very nice young horse," Baffert said.
"He changes every month because he's so young. When you have a horse that good with that kind of breeding, you know he's going to get better."
On to Louisville
And now it's on the Louisville, where Baffert won the Derby with Silver Charm in 1997, Real Quiet in 1998 and War Emblem in 2002. Baffert's two Derby horses since finished 14th (Indian Express in 2003) and 17th (Sort It Out in 2005).
Bob and John, third in the San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita on March 18, is owned by Stonerside Stable's Bob McNair, who also owns the Houston Texans.
Named for Bob McNair and Stonerside manager John Adger, Bob and John covered the 11/8 miles in a slow 1:51.54. Baffert came East in an effort to take his colt away from speed-favoring California tracks.
"Just goes to show you that there is so much speed in California, it's like a vacation when you get away from there," Baffert said.
Bob and John, ridden by Garrett Gomez, won for the fourth time in nine career starts and earned $450,000 to boost his career bankroll to $680,070.
The winner, sent off as the 2-1 second choice behind Keyed Entry, returned $6.40, $4.50 and $2.70. Jazil, trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, paid $12.20 and $4.80. Keyed Entry returned $2.10 for show.
Santa Anita Derby
ARCADIA, Calif. -- Brother Derek cruised to an easy victory in the $750,000 Santa Anita Derby, solidifying his status as the heavy favorite for next month's Kentucky Derby.
In his final tuneup before heading to Louisville, Brother Derek used his early speed to take the lead under Alex Solis, letting the rest of the field chase him for 1 1-8 miles.
Brother Derek covered the distance in 1:48.00 and paid $3, $2.40 and $2.10 as the 2-5 wagering favorite.
Point Determined finished second and returned $2.80 and $2.10. A.P. Warrior paid $2.10 to show.