Bob Baffert has another strong Kentucky Derby (G1) contender in Uncle Chuck after the 3-year-old colt powered to a four-length victory in the $150,000 Los Alamitos Derby (G3) on Saturday afternoon.

Baffert completed the exacta with Thousand Words, who won the Los Alamitos Futurity last December. Both horses currently have enough points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby (G1) to be starters in the Run for the Roses.

Uncle Chuck, who made his debut just last month with a seven-length maiden win at Santa Anita, was the post-time favorite on Saturday. Great Power took the early lead, while Uncle Chuck sat a few lengths off the pacesetter. Luis Saez put Uncle Chuck on even terms with Great Power going into the ar turn, then asserted himself in upper stretch. Thousand Words was clearly second-best.

The final time of 1:47.65 for the 1 1/8-miles was less than a second off the track record.

“He was full of himself when he came back,” said Baffert. “It’s exciting. He’s learning quickly and he has brilliance. I was impressed. I think we just saw something pretty special, and he’s been special from day one.” 

Uncle Chuck is Baffert's fourth straight winner of the Futurity. He has won five of the seven runnings of the race at Los Alamitos, and five renditions when it was run as the Swaps S. at Hollywood Park.

Karl Watson, Mike Pegram, and Paul Weitman’s Uncle Chuck is now 2-for-2 with earnings of $120,000.