Rupert or other West Coasters

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by dr.fager

fair enough, it's jumbled and some of it was from a side conversation with Kevin, B&J has been working on the turf, it's 3 and up....I was just saying that Hendricks was considering it, and possibly Baffert may be too.

From ESPN 8-3-06

Brother Derek's most likely race at Del Mar is the $100,000 El Cajon Stakes at a mile on Sept. 2, but Hendricks has not ruled out the $400,000 Del Mar Derby at 1 1/8 miles on turf on Sept. 3. Brother Derek has never run on turf.

"There is the slightest chance we might run in the Del Mar Derby," Hendricks said. "I might work him on the turf next week. Timing-wise, it comes up well. It is a Grade 2 worth $400,000. He's ahead of schedule."

Just saw this on DM barn notes....

Stable Notes By Gene Williams Sunday, August 27, 2006
BROTHER DEREK REMAINS ON TARGET FOR EL CAJON STAKES

Brother Derek added an exclamation point to his training regimen this morning with a sterling 5-furlong drill in 58.80 breezing as he finished preparation for his return to racing after a three-month hiatus following his fourth-place finish in the Preakness Stakes.

He has pointed for Saturday’s $100,000-added El Cajon Stakes at a mile on the main track for the past couple of weeks. “It was a very nice work,” trainer Dan Hendricks said. “He did it easy. Another horse broke in on him and it worked out very nice.” Hendricks said the “other horse” episode wasn’t planned but he said it worked out fine.

“It’s a little crowded out there during training, and sometimes a horse will break in on you,” he said. “It was fine for us.” The clockers gave these time splits on the work: first eighth in 12 seconds, 35.20 for 3 furlongs, 47 flat for the half-mile en route to the final time. “I got the last eighth in 11 and 3/5,” Hendricks said, adding, “It went just like we wanted; a nice tightener. You know, better horses work faster and that’s what he did.”

As for running in the El Cajon, Hendricks said, “I have to confirm it 100 percent with Mr. [Cecil] Pea**** that it’s the best thing to do and make sure Saturday’s race fills.” Brother Derek, who dead-heated for fourth in the Kentucky Derby with eventual Belmont Stakes winner Jazil, is also nominated to the Grade II, $400,000 Del Mar Derby on Sunday. Of that race, Hendricks said, “The Del Mar Derby is a great race and we wish we had time to run in both.”