Edited Santa Anita Staff Release — One of four Bob Baffert trainees that will be saddled for the first time by Tim Yakteen, Hejazi heads an outstanding field of 11 sophomores going a mile and one-sixteenth in Saturday’s Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita.
One of America’s significant Derby preps, the San Felipe will earn 50 Kentucky Derby qualifying points, a virtual “won and in” event.
Although unproven going long, he’s a $3.5 million New York-bred 2-year-old in training purchase and is a worthy San Felipe public choice. Mike Smith has the re-ride
Favored in three out of his four starts, Hejazi comes off a brilliant 1 ¼ length maiden score at 1-2 going 6 ½ furlongs here on Jan. 15, earning a 99 Beyer Speed Figure.
In his only try around two turns, Hejazi, who was off at 5-2, was a well beaten third two starts back behind stablemate Cave Rock in the Grade I American Pharoah at a mile and one sixteenth.
Off at even money favorite in his second start, Hejazi ran second going 5 ½ furlongs behind stablemate Speed Boat Beach. And although he was beaten 1 ¼ lengths, Hejazi posted a 100 Beyer. Owned by Zedan Racing Stables, Inc.,
Hejazi, who is by Bernardini out of the Medaglia d’Oro mare G Note, is 4-1-2-1 and will hope to procure a berth in the Run for the Roses with victory on Saturday.
