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Sunday, March 10, 2024
Kinza rolled to a five-length victory in Saturday’s $100,000 Santa Ysabel S. (G3) to improve her record to a perfect three-for-three...
Monday, March 4, 2024
Newgate became the sixth Santa Anita H. (G1) winner for Bob Baffert with his dramatic victory in the 1 ¼-mile showcase on March 3...
Monday, March 4, 2024
Du Jour became racing’s newest millionaire and gave Bob Baffert his second of three Graded stakes wins on Sunday with his victory in the $300,000 Frank Kilroe Mile (G1)...
 
Kingly rules in California Derby
Sunday, April 28, 2019
Clearview Stables, RAC 04 Racing and Michael Meegan's Kingly held off a stiff challenge by Visitant to win the $100,000 California Derby Saturday at Gold Gate Fields [WATCH RACE].

After finishing second to a very good horse in Anothertwistafate in the El Camino Real Derby in February, Kingly was sent away the favorite in Saturday's 1 1/16-mile contest. The son of Tapit was content to sit in second after Erlich sprinted to the lead and opened up by some six lengths in the first half-mile. 

Erlich began to slow suddenly entering the final turn, and Kingly swept past to take the top spot entering the homestretch. Despite Visitant's effort, Kingly held sway to win by a half-length in 1:42.73, less than a second from the track record of 1:42 flat.

“It worked out perfect,” said winning rider Mario Gutierrez. “He broke a step slow out of the gate. I was able to position him into a very nice spot in the first turn. From that point on, I was just waiting for the end to ride him.” 

Three-year-old Kingly has made just four starts for his connections, with a record of 2-2-0 and earnings of $123,200. The 3-year-old is out of Justwhistledixie and is a full brother to Bob Baffert's 2013 Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) winner New Year's Day and a half-brother to multiple graded winner Mohaymen.

Baffert 2013