Songbird works, California Chrome settles in for San
Pasqual
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) heroine
Songbird, unbeaten in four starts and certain to be named champion 2-year-old
filly, recorded her second workout Friday at Santa Anita in advance of her
seasonal debut, the Las Virgenes (G1) on February 6. California Chrome also made
his first appearance at Santa Anita Friday morning after shipping from his Los
Alamitos base and is scheduled to work six furlongs Saturday for trainer Art
Sherman.
Turf sprint specialist
Ageless heads a solid field of seven females in Sunday’s $200,000 Monrovia (G2)
at Santa Anita. The about 6 1/2-furlong turf test is an early stepping stone
to the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) at Santa Anita this fall.
NYRA has scheduled six maiden races worth $100,000 that will serve as
stepping stones to the Astoria and Tremont in early June at Belmont Park.
The first Saturday of the New Year at Gulfstream Park features five stakes for
3-year-olds, highlighted by the Hutcheson (G3) and Old Hat (G3) at six
furlongs. Turf sophomores will also be in action in the Dania Beach (G3) and
Ginger Brew.
Santa Anita will feature a trio of stakes races on Saturday. A strong field
of turf runners is set for the San Gabriel (G2), Bob Baffert will send out three
of the eight fillies in the Santa Ynez (G2) and sprinters will square off in the
Midnight Lute (G3).
Also at the Twin Spires Blog:
Vance Hanson plans to concentrate more upon stakes races for his wagering in
2016 and
gives his thoughts on Saturday’s stakes action at Gulfstream Park and Santa
Anita.
Jockey
Victor Espinoza is expecting a new and improved version of California Chrome in
2016. Unraced since a runner-up in the Dubai World Cup (G1) last March, the
2014 Horse of the Year is gearing up for his comeback in the January 9 San
Pasqual (G2) at Santa Anita.
Unbeaten
Mohaymen, a top contender for the 2016 Kentucky Derby (G1) following wins in the
Remsen (G2) and Nashua (G2), returned to the worktab on Thursday, breezing a
half-mile in :49.45 at Palm Meadows. A $2.2 million yearling purchase, the
Kiaran McLaughlin-trained Tapit colt is scheduled to make his 3-year-old bow in
the January 30 Holy Bull (G2) at Gulfstream Park.
Ed DeRosa provides his Eclipse Award ballot:
“Valuing Breeders’ Cup Victories in Close Eclipse Contests.”
Dick Powell explains in his weekly Handicapping Insights column why
American Pharoah made for a great year in horse racing.