Flashback moved a step closer to next Saturday’s much-anticipated
pre-Triple Crown
showdown with Goldencents in the San Felipe Stakes with a five furlong
workout Sunday morning in a bullet 59 seconds flat under regular rider
Julien Leparoux. It was the fastest of 63 drills at the distance, the
average time of which was 1:01.72.`
Working in company with stablemate Den’s Legacy, who was clocked
in 59.40 under Erick Lopez, Flashback “went nice” according to trainer
Bob Baffert, who would be seeking his fifth San Felipe victory,
including one with Horse of the Year Point Given in 2001.
“So far, so good,” Baffert said of the dappled gray son of Tapit, who won the Grade II Robert B. Lewis Stakes on Feb. 2.
Goldencents, meanwhile, worked six furlongs Saturday, going in a bullet 1:11.60, breezing, for six furlongs.
With apologies to Jimmy Walker, private clocker Toby Turrell of Winners Card called the move by Goldencents “Dy-noh-mite!.”
Also Saturday, maiden winner Salutos Amigos went five furlongs in company with I’m
Wide Awake in 1:02.20, while his stablemate was clocked in 1:03.40, both for trainer Eric Guillot.
Probable for the Grade II, $300,000 San Felipe at 1 1/16 miles:
Flashback, Leparoux; Goldencents, Kevin Krigger; Hear the Ghost, Corey
Nakatani; Kochees; Omega Star, Joe Talamo; Salutos Amigos; and Tiz A
Minister.
Kentucky Derby qualifying points for the San Felipe are as
follows: 50 for first, 20 for second, 10 for third and five for fourth.