Looking for Derby Path

Trainer Neil Drysdale won the Kentucky Derby two years ago with the brilliant Fusaichi Pegasus, who, unfortunately, didn’t do much after his big victory at Churchill Downs and was retired before the end of 2000.

Whether Drysdale has another prospect for the world’s most famous race could be determined today at Santa Anita.

Sunday Break, a son of Forty Niner who was bred in Japan, will try two turns for the first time in his career against four other rivals in the $54,000 allowance contest, the seventh of eight races today.

Owned by Koji Maeda, Sunday Break was second in his debut at Hollywood Park on Nov. 25, losing by a head to Taillevent.

On Dec. 26 at Santa Anita, the bay colt was third as the 7-5 favorite. About a month later, he won a seven-furlong race by 41/2 lengths as the 2-1 choice.

If Sunday Break handles the extra distance--today’s race is 1 1/16 miles--he could continue on the road to the Derby, a race that lacks a standout and where the current local front-runner, Siphonic, has some questions regarding his condition.

Completing the field are Raven Power, a son of Known Fact who was beaten by a neck in his two-turn debut on Jan. 30; Azillion, who was third in his first start in this country in the same race; Gold Dollar and Hot Contest.

Race of the day: A full field of 3-year-olds will race 11/8 miles on the turf in the $100,000 Palm Beach Handicap at Gulfstream Park in Florida.

Who’s hot: John Kimmel. The high-percentage trainer has won with 12 of 32 at Gulfstream.

Who’s not: Cliff Delima. A trainer who won with 18% of his starters last year, Delima is struggling at Golden Gate Fields. He had only one victory from his first 51 starters at the meet.

Exotically speaking: A pick three singling Fresh Tarte in the third, using All Grace, Imaginary Gold, Delavallade and Fiddlin Devon in the fourth and Estrella Prisa and Jorrocks in the fifth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 4/123. Money: Previous day/meet total: $20/$745.60. Total money bet: $716.