Astute galloping, will likely work soon

ARCADIA, Calif. – Astute, one of the most-promising 2-year-old fillies on this circuit last fall, is back galloping and should have a work in coming days, according to her trainer, Richard Mandella.

“She’s been galloping real well,” Mandella said Sunday.

Astute won her first two starts, including the Desi Arnaz Stakes at Del Mar, but finished a disappointing fourth in the Grade 1 Los Alamitos Starlet, beating only Princess Noor, who was pulled up with a career-ending injury. Astute subsequently was found to have badly bruised feet, which forced Mandella to give her some time off.

Fighting Mad retired

Fighting Mad, winner of last summer’s Grade 1 Clement Hirsch at Del Mar, has been retired after finishing fifth in the Grade 3 La Canada Stakes on Jan. 9 in her first start at age 5, Baffert said Sunday.

Fighting Mad, a homebred daughter of New Year’s Day for the Wests, won five times in 10 starts, including the Grade 2 Santa Maria last year and the Grade 3 Torrey Pines at Del Mar in 2019.

Baffert said he did not know yet to whom Fighting Mad would be bred.

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Harvest Moon breezing

The multiple-graded-stakes winner Harvest Moon is back in a regular work pattern for trainer Simon Callaghan after getting a freshening following the Breeders’ Cup Distaff, in which she finished fourth.

Harvest Moon worked four furlongs in 49.60 seconds Sunday, her second drill following the layoff.

Harvest Moon won four straight races last year prior to the Distaff, including the Grade 2 Zenyatta at Santa Anita and Grade 3 Torrey Pines at Del Mar.

Paddock captain Shear turns 100

Santa Anita on Sunday had a video tribute to popular paddock captain John Shear, who turned 100 Sunday. Shear was furloughed by the track last March owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Shear has worked for the track since 1961, and over the years has endeared himself to horsemen and fans alike. Sunday’s sixth race was named in his honor, too.