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Brother Derek could get overlooked at the windows in spite of the fact that he’s the most accomplished horse in the race. His fourth in the Breeders’ Cup was better than it looked; he broke from the far outside and doesn’t seem to have the running style that favors one turn. In the Norfolk, his only two-turn race, he held off likely Futurity favorite A.P. Warrior, going wire to wire. Prior to that, the third to Bro Lo, maybe the fatest juvenile in the country prior to being injured, in a restricted stake at Del Mar was no disgrace. Easily defeated Bashert, who pulled out of this race late, in his debut maiden victory. If you believe in the “win every other race” theory, he should get the job done here. Like Bob and John, his speed figures have improved every race, and these young horses can show plenty of progress between starts. Trainer Dan Hendicks believes he is sitting on a very big effort. Has great potential to be the upsetter, and likely at around an enticing 7-2. A must use in all spots in your exotics.
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Brother Derek is by the third-year crop sire Benchmark, who got a late start in his racing career, making only one start at age three. He was lightly raced for a horse that was still running at age seven, finishing with a 7-2-4 mark from 16 starts. His stakes all came at age six, when he took the Goodwood Breeders’ Cup (G2), the Del Mar Breeders’ Cup (G2), and the San Bernadino Handicap (G2). He is a half-brother to Tranquility Lake, multiple grade one winner of eleven races and earner of over $1.6 million. He has sired nine stakes winners to date, most notably Silent Sighs, Santa Anita Oaks (GI) victress, the ill-fated A to the Z, who tallied the Mervin Muniz Jr. Handicap (G2), and Golden Gate Derby (G3) winner Standard Setter. His two-year-olds win at about a 14% clip, a decent average, particularly for a California stallion whose progeny often face open company. Brother Derek is a full brother to Don’tsellmeshort, a multiple stakes winner on the California circuit during his two-year-old campaign. Their dam, Miss Soft Cell, has been a solid producer. In addition to the above two horses, she’s produced four other foals, all multiple winners.
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