© Benoit Photo
The talented three-year-olds Iron Rob and Denman’s Call, who finished first and second in the six-furlong San Pedro Stakes on March 20th at Santa Anita, have joined the probable field for the $1 million Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) on April 9th.
Iron Rob, who is trained by George Papaprodromou, set fast fractions in the San Pedro before drawing clear to score by 1 1/2 lengths in the sharp time of 1:09.05 seconds. Denman’s Call, from the barn of Jerry Hollendorfer, rallied well after a wide trip to finish second.
“We’ll try to stretch [Iron Rob] out,” Papaprodromou was quoted as saying in the Santa Anita Stable Notes for March 25th. “It’s worth taking a shot.”
Iron Rob and Denman’s Call bring the number of probably starters for the Santa Anita Derby to seven, with the others including Los Alamitos Futurity (gr. I) winner Mor Spirit, San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) winner Danzing Candy, Delta Downs Jackpot Stakes (gr. III) winner Exaggerator, Robert B. Lewis Stakes (gr. III) runner-up Uncle Lino, and California Cup Derby winner Smokey Image.
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