Seven Stakes Races Set for Saturday

The $150,000 Oak Tree Derby (gr. II) will be the 9th race at Santa Anita on Saturday. (AI Wire Image)

Although most people will be concentrating on Keeneland’s Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (gr. I) on Saturday, some will be more interested in the card at Santa Anita. The $150,000 Oak Tree Derby (gr. II) has attracted a field of 11 evenly matched contenders, one of which is looking to gain respect – Augment.

Trainer Paddy Gallagher led Augment to a second place finish in the Del Mar Derby (gr. II) on Sept. 2 which paid a whopping 28-1. When asked about the upcoming race he simply said, "He's a good young horse and we're expecting a lot of him."

Augment’s team has decided not to push the gelding into the Breeders’ Cup because there is not enough time to get him properly prepared. "We'll more seriously consider that next year. But we've always liked him," explained Gallagher.

The entire field for the race is as follows:

PP. Horse, Weight, Jockey

1. Star Inside (IRE), 118, G. F. Almeida
2. Karazi (SWI), 118, Brice Blanc
3. Asperity (KY), 122, Alex O. Solis
4. Unusual Suspect (CA), 118, Joseph Talamo
5. Daytona (IRE), 118, Mike E. Smith
6. Mostacolli Mort (KY), 118, Tyler Baze
7. Stoneside (IRE), 118, Victor Espinoza
8. Ten a Penny (KY), 118, Michael C. Baze
9. Augment (KY), 118, Richard Migliore
10. Angelonmyshoulder (GB), 118, David R. Flores
11. Senior (KY), 118, Martin Garcia

The $150,000 Oak Tree Derby (gr. II) will be the ninth race at Santa Anita on Saturday with an approximate post time of 7:30 p.m. EST.

Only 14 days to the 2007 Breeders' Cup. Get all your Breeders' Cup betting in the Bodog Racebook.