Sidney’s Candy is Derby contender
Associated Press
LOUISVILLE, Ky.
Hall of Fame trainer Ron McAnally will have a tough time holding it together if Sidney’s Candy ends up in the winner’s circle at Churchill Downs.
The colt is named for the late husband of weight loss maven Jenny Craig, who plans to attend Saturday’s Kentucky Derby. Sid Craig died of cancer nearly two years ago at age 76, but she stayed in the racing business to pursue their shared goal of winning this event.
“I told her I would cry if the horse won,” he said by phone from California. “They really deserve it.
“Of all the years I’ve been training horses, Jenny Craig and Sid were the classiest people I’ve ever been around,” McAnally said. “They’re the kind of people that have made it in life, but they also spend it.”
After leading all the way in three consecutive races on Santa Anita’s synthetic surface, Sidney’s Candy likely will be the second choice at 6-1 at today’s post-position draw.
Trainer Bob Baffert’s Lookin At Lucky is expected to be the 3-1 favorite for the 11/4-mile race, despite finishing third to Sidney’s Candy in the Santa Anita Derby, the worst showing of his career.
Baffert thinks that’s wrong — even though Sidney’s Candy has never run on dirt.
“Sidney’s Candy should be the favorite ...” he said. “I’ve watched him work twice here and he looks phenomenal. He’ll run well.”
Southern California rival John Sadler was quick to return the compliment.
“I hit the ball right back over the net,” he said Tuesday. “He’s a more polished Derby trainer and he has the bigger resume.”
Besides Sidney’s Candy, he’ll saddle Line of David, who won the $1 million Arkansas Derby in his first race on dirt and owns a three-race winning streak.
Sidney’s Candy is the son of undefeated Argentine-bred Candy Ride, who was trained by McAnally and won the 2003 Pacific Classic on dirt for the Craigs.