ARCADIA, Calif., April 5 (UPI) -- Colonel John Saturday became a solid contender for the Kentucky Derby when he won the $750,000 Santa Anita Derby.
Colonel John was the 5-2 second choice in the 11-horse field behind 9-5 favorite El Gato Malo. Both 3-year-olds ran in the Sham Stakes, where Colonel John defeated El Gato Malo by a half-length.
With Corey Nakatani aboard, Colonel John settled in far off the pace that was set by Coast Guard and Bob Black Jack. Racing third was Polonius with Signature Move in fourth.
Colonel John began his rally down the stretch and was able to catch Bob Black Jack right before the wire. The colt won by a half-length over Bob Black Jack with Coast Guard third and Yankee Bravo fourth, while
El Gato Malo faded to fifth.
