Roadster and Game Winner finished one-two in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby on Saturday at Santa Anita, giving Bob Baffert his ninth win in the race and a strong one-two punch next month in the Kentucky Derby.
Roadster, a lightly raced colt making just the fourth start of his career, rallied from off the pace to defeat 1-2 favorite Game Winner by a half-length in 1:51.28. The win was the first graded stakes win for Roadster, a son of Quality Road making just his second start of the season.
Game Winner, who raced four-wide throughout under Joel Rosario, finished a length and three-quarters in front of pacesetter Instagrand. Despite his runner-up finish, Game Winner will head to Louisville as one of the leading Kentucky Derby contenders along with Roadster.
Nolo Contesto finished fourth, followed by Synthesis and More Ice.