Eclipse Award winner Beholder worked five furlongs on Santa Anita’s
fast main track Sunday in 59.60 under regular rider Garrett Gomez as the
2012 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies winner prepares for next Saturday’s
Grade I Las Virgenes Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at one mile.
“Beautiful” is how Richard Mandella termed the work. Beholder
was upset by 20-1 shot Renee’s Titan in the 6 ½ furlong Santa Ynez
Stakes on Jan. 21, losing by three-quarters of a length in her
3-year-old debut.
With Rafael Bejarano in the saddle, Fiftyshadesofhay also worked
Sunday for the Las Virgenes, going five furlongs in company with
Brannaman in 59.40 for Bob Baffert. Brannaman was clocked in a minute
flat.
“She’s Kentucky Oaks material,” Baffert said of
Fiftyshadesofhay, a daughter of Pulpit who won the Grade II Santa Ysabel
on a wet/fast track by nearly six lengths under Bejarano, who has
ridden her in each of her six starts.
Probable for the Las Virgenes: Beholder, Gomez;
Fiftyshadesofhay, Bejarano; Renee’s Titan, Tyler Baze; and
Speedinthruthecity, Joe Talamo.