Sent off as the race favorite, West Coast notched his third victory in a row by winning the Los Alamitos Derby (G3) by 2 ¾ lengths. The win was an easy won for the Flatter colt, and he was under a snug hold late.
Now, his connections are thinking of taking on Grade 1 company.
“I think the Travers would be a good spot for the horse,” said winning trainer Bob Baffert. “He’s growing into himself. Like Arrogate, he’s taking baby steps. Hopefully he’ll be the next good horse.”
West Coast has proven before that shipping isn’t a problem. He came into the Los Alamitos Derby off of an authoritative victory in the Easy Goer Stakes on Belmont Stakes Day in New York.
A $425,000 yearling, West Coast races for Gary and Mary West. He has been first or second in all six of his career starts, and in April, he finished second in the Stonestreet Lexington Stakes (G3) at Keeneland in his stakes debut.
West Coast is out of the champion racemare Caressing.
In addition to West Coast, Flatter has been represented by eight other stakes horses in 2017. He stands at Claiborne for a fee of $35,000.