What was meant to be a showdown between favorite Premier Pegasus and Jaycito lost a bit of its star power as both horses were forced to scratch at the Santa Anita Derby, leaving the race wide-open on Saturday. In their place, Silver Medallion assumed the favored role, holding 5-2 odds as the Santa Anita Derby lines shifted on Saturday.
But with the race wide-open, it was Bob Baffert trained Midnight Interlude -- a hilarious name for a horse -- crossed the finish line in first with Victor Espinoza on the reins. Comma to the Top was second, Mr. Commons was third and Silver Medallion, the favorite entering the race, finished in fourth. Midnight Interlude went off at 13-1 at the Santa Anita Derby.
It was a bit of vindication for Bob Baffert, who was forced to scratch Jaycito ahead of the race, but still came out of the day a winner. It wasn't the Baffert horse anyone expected to win the Santa Anita Derby, but Baffert still struck gold with Midnight Interlude.
For more on the race, check out the rest of our Santa Anita Derby 2011 StoryStream. For all your horse racing needs, head over to SB Nation’s And Down the Stretch They Come.