03/01/2013 4:47PM

Santa Anita: Eblouissante eyes Santa Margarita Stakes

By Steve Andersen
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Shigeki Kikkawa
Eblouissante has had two workouts since returning from a bruised foot.

Eblouissante, the unbeaten half-sister to 2010 Horse of the Year Zenyatta, worked a half-mile in 48.60 seconds at Betfair Hollywood Park on Friday and remains a possibility for the $300,000 Santa Margarita Stakes on March 16, trainer John Shirreffs said.

The Grade 1 Santa Margarita is run over 1 1/8 miles for fillies and mares.

“It’s still possible,” Shirreffs said. “We won’t know until she goes five-eighths [in a workout] and we see how she gallops out.”

A winner of two starts, Eblouissante, 4, has not raced since winning an optional claimer Jan. 12. Eblouissante was sidelined in late January with a bruised foot. Friday’s workout was her second since resuming full training.

Bruce Baudoux 6 months ago
I'd really like to see Mike Smith ride this filly. He is familiar with the family and is probably one of the best money riders around. It is pretty obvious Corey Nakatani will be on the move east again soon with the current state of his business on the West Coast. Look for him to be at Keeneland in April and either Churchill or Belmont/Saratoga for the summer. Business is tough in California the last year with the addition of Julien and Eddie Maldonado doing so well throw in little Joe, Raphie, Tyler Baze the returnee, Father Time ( Gary Stevens ) and the ever steady Garret Gomez and there isn't much left for the Nakatani's, Flores, Espinoza's et al.
Randy Baker 7 months ago
Look forward to seeing her progress.if she is half as good as z,it would be great for the game.