Harmonius heading back to turf in Santa Ana

Harmonious, a two-time Grade 1 winner in 2010, is being pointed for a return to the grass in the $150,000 Santa Ana Stakes at Santa Anita on March 19, following a third-place finish in the Grade 2 La Canada Stakes on the main track, trainer John Shirreffs said.

The Grade 2 Santa Ana Stakes is run over 1 1/8 miles on turf. Last year, Harmonious won the Grade 1 American Oaks at Hollywood Park and the Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup at Keeneland, both on turf. Her last start came in the La Canada at Santa Anita on Feb. 13.

Harmonious breezed a half-mile in 50.60 seconds at Hollywood Park on Sunday.

Shirreffs said that Zardana, who was second to Vision in Gold in the Grade 2 Santa Maria Stakes on March 12, will be pointed for the $500,000 Apple Blossom Handicap over 1 1/16 miles at Oaklawn Park on April 15. Zardana breezed a half-mile in 50.40 seconds at Hollywood Park on Sunday.

The Apple Blossom will have a significant influx of Southern California runners. Blind Luck, the champion 3-year-old filly of 2010, is being pointed for the race, but may start first in the $300,000 Santa Margarita Invitatational on March 12, trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said. Blind Luck worked five furlongs in 1:00.60 on Santa Anita’s infield training track on Sunday.

Evening Jewel, second in Saturday’s Valentine Dancer Handicap, is also bound for the Apple Blossom. She won the Sunshine Millions Distaff at Santa Anita on Jan. 29.