SANTA ANITA : Petionville Joining Deep Derby Field

Afternoon Deelites isn’t the only 3-year-old who will be trying to remain unbeaten in the Santa Anita Derby on Saturday.

Petionville, perfect in four starts, will join Afternoon Deelites, Timber Country, Larry The Legend and Jumron in the deepest Derby field in years.

Successful in the Louisiana Derby in his most recent start on March 19, Petionville will be entered this morning by trainer Randy Bradshaw, who also considered the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct and the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland on April 15 as the colt’s last start before the Kentucky Derby.

Bradshaw said the only way the son of Seeking The Gold won’t run this Saturday is if “there’s a bad track,” which seems unlikely.

So far, Petionville hasn’t found anything about racing to be a problem. His four victories have come at three different tracks--Santa Anita, Golden Gate and the Fair Grounds--and at three different distances--six furlongs, a mile and 1 1/16 miles. He is also the only horse to beat Larry The Legend. They made their debuts on Dec. 31 with Petionville winning by 1 3/4 lengths.

How the San Felipe Stakes played out three weeks ago prompted the decision to ship from Hollywood Park, where Bradshaw is based, to Santa Anita, rather than across the country.

“Going into that race, it looked like those two horses (Afternoon Deelites and Timber Country), were superstars,” Bradshaw said. “They looked mortal last time. I think the last quarter (mile) in that race was 25 2/5. My horse pressed the pace (in the Louisiana Derby) on a slower track and the last quarter was 24 3/5.

“We’re going to have to meet those horses sooner or later. We might as well find out what we have now. Anyway, it’s one less time we’ll have to ship the horse.”

Bothered by sore shins after showing promise while training last summer at Hollywood Park, Petionville was turned over to Bradshaw by owner Jeffrey Nielsen, who races as Everest Stables, about a month before his first race. Previously, he had been with Jose Fernandez.

“A lot of clockers were impressed with him when he worked and I think he’s vindicated everybody’s view of him,” Bradshaw said. “He’s a real professional. He’s real easy on himself and he doesn’t get excited about too much.”

Petionville completed his major preparation for the Derby with an impressive workout Monday at Hollywood Park. The time--1:01 4/5--for five furlongs was hardly flashy, but Bradshaw liked the way it was accomplished.

“He went the last eighth (of a mile) in 11 1/5 (seconds) and went the last quarter in 22 3/5,” he said. “He went real slow early, then flew home. Right now, he’s doing everything well.”

Despite his record, Petionville will probably be no better than the fourth choice in the betting Saturday behind Afternoon Deelites, Timber Country and Larry The Legend.

“I think the reason he’s not getting that much attention is because I’ve been undecided about where I was going to run him,” said Bradshaw, the former longtime assistant to Wayne Lukas. “I’d just as soon stay in the background. He’d never even seen Santa Anita before, drew the one hole and he beat (Larry The Legend) first time out and that horse hasn’t lost since.”

*

Trainer Mike Harrington received a welcome present on his 54th birthday Wednesday at Santa Anita.

Artica, an 8-1 shot, won a stakes for the second time in her 10-race career, rolling home seven lengths in front of Kindred Soul in the $80,475 Providencia.

Lapped outside Stately Star for most of the trip, the 3-year-old Frosty The Snowman filly drew clear under Laffit Pincay entering the stretch and won in 1:49 1/5 for the 1 1/8 miles on turf.

Kindred Soul beat One Hot Mama, the longest shot in the race at nearly 44-1, by a length.

*

Afternoon Deelites and Petionville will be the 10th and 11th undefeated starters in the Santa Anita Derby since 1952. The most recent unbeaten to participate was Mister Frisky, who made it 15 consecutive victories with a win in the 1990 Derby.

The other unbeatens: Houston, Lookinforthebigone, Agitate, Majestic Prince, Saber Mountain, Candy Spots, Four-And-Twenty and Silver Spoon.

*

Trainer Bruce Jackson is still saying In Character, the runner-up to Petionville in the Louisiana Derby, is possible for the Santa Anita Derby, but look for him to run in the Wood Memorial.

Paying Dues, who was being considered for the Wood Memorial after an easy maiden victory on March 19, will remain in California and point for an allowance race, said trainer Clifford Sise.

*

Santa Anita Handicap winner Urgent Request worked a mile in 1:36 4/5 Wednesday morning. Urgent Request will make his next start in the $750,000 Oaklawn Handicap on April 15.

*

Kent Desormeaux won twice Wednesday and Corey Nakatani had one winner, so they are tied atop the standings with 90 victories apiece.