Bayern’s work indicates comeback near

ARCADIA, Calif. – Bayern, unraced since winning the Breeders’ Cup Classic here in November, worked a sharp six furlongs in 1:12 under jockey Martin Garcia on Wednesday.

Bayern began 2 1/2 lengths behind stablemate Secretsatmidnight, caught the workmate at the eighth pole, and finished more than a length in front. Trainer Bob Baffert timed Bayern through the opening quarter-mile in 24.40 seconds, the final half-mile in 47.60, and galloping out seven furlongs in 1:24.80.

“That’s good,” Baffert said. “He’s coming.”

Bayern sustained a minor foot injury this year that postponed the start of his season. Baffert did not state a race goal for Bayern on Wednesday, but the workout was the fourth for the 4-year-old colt since mid-March, indicating that a comeback is near.

Argentine star has needed race

Galicado, beaten for the first time when fourth in the Santana Mile last Sunday, could reappear in a stakes or an allowance race, trainer Ron McAnally said on Wednesday.

Galicado was a two-time Grade 1 winner in Argentina in 2014. He was scheduled to be flown to Dubai for the $2 million United Arab Emirates Derby last Saturday but did not travel after spiking a temperature in mid-March.

In the Santana Mile, Galicado, the 8-5 favorite, was seventh in a field of eight for the first half-mile and closed steadily through the stretch to finish 4 1/4 lengths behind race winner Blue Tone. In hindsight, McAnally said he was glad that Galicado was not sent to Dubai.

“It’s a blessing we didn’t go because he got very tired,” McAnally said.

As for a next start, there are no definitive plans for Galicado.

“We’ll take it a day at a time,” McAnally said.