Cherokee Nation returns to tab, G1 SA Derby next
At 0h02, on March 16, 2026 • By Santa Anita Park
Cherokee Nation returned to the work tab Saturday, 15 days after posting a 100 Beyer Speed Figure in a scintillating maiden win at Santa Anita. Joining Cherokee Nation on the work tab for trainer Bob Baffert were fellow 3-year-old Desert Gate and the older horses Imagination and Cornucopian. Also on the tab was multiple Grade I winner Journalism.
Cherokee Nation worked an easy three furlongs in 38.2 seconds. In his maiden victory going one mile, Cherokee Nation aired by 10 lengths while stopping the clock in 1:34.5. The colt by Not This Time is slated to make his next start in the GI Santa Anita Derby going 1 1/8 miles on April 4.
Desert Gate worked five furlongs in 59.2 seconds. By Omaha Beach, Desert Gate finished fourth in the GIII Robert B. Lewis on Feb. 7 following a four-month layoff. He is also a candidate for the Santa Anita Derby.
