They’re racing for Kentucky

Money matters, particularly when it comes to deciding which horses will run in the Kentucky Derby. And that’s one reason today’s $750,000 Santa Anita Derby is so important.

With the $450,000 prize for first place comes an almost guaranteed invitation to the Run for the Roses, which is limited to the 20 horses with the most money earned in graded stakes races.

Colonel John, the early 2-1 favorite in today’s Grade I Derby, already has earned $270,000 and ranks 11th in graded stakes earnings among 3-year-olds. So Colonel John, barring an injury, will almost assuredly be running at Churchill Downs the first Saturday in May, regardless of how he finishes today.

With El Gato Malo, the early second choice at odds of 5-2, it’s not quite as clear-cut. El Gato Malo ranks 22nd with graded earnings of $130,000. Denis of Cork, who runs in today’s Illinois Derby, is in the coveted 20th spot with $150,000.

So El Gato Malo needs to earn some cash today. After the $450,000 for first comes $150,000 for second, $90,000 for third, $45,000 for fourth and $15,000 for fifth.

Craig Dollase, El Gato Malo’s trainer, is confident.

“We’re planning on going to Louisville, unless something unforeseen happens,” he said.

Santa Anita Derby entrants on the cusp are Yankee Bravo and Bob Black Jack. Yankee Bravo currently ranks 32nd with graded stakes earnings of $60,000 and Bob Black Jack is 39th with $30,000.

A look at the top four Kentucky Derby contenders running at Santa Anita today:

* Colonel John -- Before going out on his own in 2000, trainer Eoin Harty was Bob Baffert’s top assistant and was directly involved with Silver Charm and Real Quiet, Kentucky Derby winners in 1997 and ‘98, respectively. Harty says Colonel John “is as good as any horse I’ve brought there, but he still has to prove it.”

* El Gato Malo -- A loss to Colonel John in the Sham Stakes at Santa Anita on March 8 was the first after three victories for the Kentucky-bred son of El Corredor. El Gato Malo was among the early Kentucky Derby favorites before the loss in the Sham, when, as the 7-10 favorite, he got boxed in through the stretch. “I think we learned a lot from that,” Dollase said.

* Yankee Bravo -- Chuck Winner of Beverly Hills, who with David Beinstock owns two-thirds of this horse, said: “If he finishes first or second, we’ll go to Kentucky. Third means we’d have to think about it. He’d be on the bubble.”

Yankee Bravo is coming off a third-place finish in the Grade II Louisiana Derby at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans. Pyro, among the early Kentucky Derby favorites, won that race.

* Bob Black Jack -- Trainer James Kasparoff said: “If he wins convincingly, then we’ll look at Kentucky. But for now we’re just concentrating on this race.”

Bob Black Jack was purchased as a yearling for only $4,500 by Jeff Harmon and Tim Kasparoff, James’ brother.

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larry.stewart@latimes.com