Dortmund best on West Coast

Undefeated colt Dortmund roared to a front-running victory in Saturday’s G2 San Felipe Stakes to confirm his rating as the best west coast colt in the running for this year’s Kentucky Derby.

The Big Brown three year-old hit the front early and was comfortable maintaining the lead at a sensible pace at Santa Anita.  He dug deep to find another gear in the straight winning by over a length from Prospect Park (Tapit) and Bolo (Temple City).

Dortmund set an opening 1200m fraction of 1:11.30s and completed the 1700m in 1:41.65s.  “It was a walk in the park for him,” trainer Bob Baffert said.  “The light bulb went on when he came back from a winter break.  Before that, it was flickering.”

A huge chestnut, he has dwarfed his rivals winning all five starts to date.  “He’s starting to fill out, getting stronger,” Baffert added.  “As long as he stays healthy, the farther they go, he’s just getting cranked up there at the end, so that was pretty exciting.”

Dortmund (3c Big Brown – Our Josephina by Tale of the Cat) will have his final Kentucky Derby prep in the G1 Santa Anita Derby on April 4.

“When you have a horse this good, he makes it look easy,” jockey Martin Garcia said.  “I’m always confident because I know how good he is.  I don’t think there will be any difference for him when we add more distance.  He can go any distance – it won’t be a problem.”

Big Brown won the 2008 Kentucky Derby via a five length victory in the G1 Florida Derby.  He followed up with a four length margin at Churchill Downs before starting a shuttle career out of Vinery Stud.