Undefeated Heck Yeah takes Cal Cup Derby

Despite just three career starts, Heck Yeah has a strong claim as the most versatile horse in Bob Baffert’s barn.

Following his front-running score in Monday’s $200,000 California Cup Derby at Santa Anita Park, the 3-year-old colt has won sprinting on the dirt, the Cal Cup Turf Sprint on the downhill grass course, and now a two-turn main track score.

After coming from well off the pace in his first stakes win, Heck Yeah had the lead soon after the start on Monday, and controlled the pace throughout, winning relatively easy as the 4-5 favorite.

“I was telling Bob that down the backstretch, I felt like I was in the Olympics (with a strong headwind),” said winning rider Mike Smith. “I was trying to be as aerodynamic as possible. (The wind) was really strong and it took its toll on all of them in there. I wanted him to stay in that nice rhythm and we were able to hold them off down the lane.” 

In his three wins for Robert Baedeker, Michael Sigband and Michael Pageler (who also bred the son of Acclimation), Heck Yeah has won $194,000.

“This is great, more than I expected, really,” said Pageler. “This colt is the second foal out of the mare (Lutess). We’ve got a 2-year-old colt by Coil and she’s in Kentucky now to be bred to Arrogate.
“It’s up to Bob, but I wouldn’t be opposed to taking a shot at one of those points races,” said Pageler when asked about the possibility of pointing the colt for a run at the Kentucky Derby (G1).