Abel Tasman strong in second work

ARCADIA, Calif. – Abel Tasman turned in only her second work of the year Thursday, but went about her business as though she’s going to pick up right where she left off.

Abel Tasman, last year’s champion 3-year-old filly, worked a half-mile in 47.80 seconds under jockey Drayden Van Dyke while in company with another 4-year-old filly, the graded stakes winner Faypien, who ran the same time.

“She was about pulling Drayden’s arms out,” said Bob Baffert, who trains Abel Tasman. “She’s coming around quick.”

Abel Tasman has not raced since finishing second to Forever Unbridled in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Del Mar on Nov. 3.

Baffert also sent out the sprinter Masochistic for a half-mile work in 47.20 seconds, his first drill since finishing fifth in the California Cup Sprint on Jan. 27 in his first start in 8 1/2 months and since Baffert took over as his trainer. Victor Espinoza was up for the work. Van Dyke rode him last time out.

“Nice and easy,” Espinoza said of the work, which was witnessed by Masochistic’s owners, Samantha Siegel and Will Shamlian. Siegel said next-race plans had not been determined for Masochistic.

Ippodamia’s Girl out of Sweet Life Stakes

Ippodamia’s Girl, the winner of the Blue Norther Stakes on Dec. 31, will miss Sunday’s $75,000 Sweet Life Stakes for 3-year-old fillies on the hillside turf course because of a foot ailment, trainer Mike Puype said Thursday.

Puype said he hopes to start Ippodamia’s Girl in the $75,000 China Doll Stakes at a mile on turf for 3-year-old fillies March 10.

“I’ll wait for the next one,” Puype said. “She had a little problem with a foot and didn’t work. If they’re not working, they’re not running, especially in a stakes.”

Owned by breeder George Schwary, Ippodamia’s Girl has won 2 of 5 starts and earned $96,525.

– additional reporting by Steve Andersen