Hejazi heads an outstanding field of 11 Derby Prospects in San Felipe Stakes
At 1h48, on March 4, 2023 • By SANTA ANITA
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 II, $400,000 San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita.
One of America’s most important Derby preps, the San Felipe winner will be awarded 50 Kentucky Derby qualifying points with the second through fifth place finishers receiving 20, 15, 10 and five points.
Although as yet unproven going a route of ground, New York-bred Hejazi has been near brilliant on two occasions and with a $3.5 million price tag as a 2-year-old in training this past May, will hope to be a show-stopper in the San Felipe with Mike Smith Back aboard.
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.
Off as the 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 lofty 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.
