MARCIE HEACOX 2006 TRIPLE CROWN NOTEBOOK

Weekend Roundup

Saturday April 1, 2006

By Marcie Heacox

Gulfstream Park - Hallandale, FL

Florida Derby

Barbaro retained his unbeaten record with a fifth win in the $1 million Florida Derby (gr. I). After going undefeated in three turf starts, Barbaro won over a sloppy main track and has now won over a fast track. He won by a ½ length over tenacious pacesetter Sharp Humor in a time of 1:49:01 for the 1 1/8 miles. The winning connections are owners Mr. and Mrs.  Roy Jackson, trainer Michael Matz, and jockey Edgar  Prado. Sunriver finished third, and Sam’s Ace finished fourth. The top two finishers are expected to move onto the Kentucky Derby in five weeks.

Sunland Park Race Track and Casino - Sunland Park, NM

Winstar Derby

Wanna Runner avenged trainer Bob Baffert’s string of upset losses at Sunland Park by running away with the $600,000 Winstar Derby (ungraded). Wanna Runner stalked and won by 4 3/4 lengths over another Baffert-trainee, Sky Diving, in a stakes record time of 1:48 4/5. Belligerance finished third. The winning owner is Mike Pegram, and the winning jockey is Victor Espinoza. No horses from the race are expected to run in the Kentucky Derby, as earnings are not counted since the race is ungraded. Wanna Runner is Canadian-bred and eligible for the Canadian Triple Crown series.