Bejarano starts fresh in February

ARCADIA, Calif. – Jockey Rafael Bejarano is glad to see January end and February begin.

Bejarano was winless from 39 mounts from the opening day of the Santa Anita winter-spring meeting on Dec. 28 through Thursday.

“February will be my month,” an optimistic Bejarano said Friday morning. “I hope so.”

Sunday, Bejarano has one mount on a seven-race program, and it could be a good one. Mastering, a $500,000 purchase as a yearling, will have his debut in a maiden special weight race for 3-year-olds at seven furlongs.

Trained by Bob Baffert for the familiar partnership of Mike Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman, Mastering will break from the rail in a field of six. His main rival is another Baffert-trained first-time starter in West Sider, who will be ridden by Drayden Van Dyke.

Mastering has worked quickly, including a half-mile in 47.40 seconds on Jan. 25.

“If he puts me on the lead, I’ll go for it,” Bejarano said.

Bejarano, 37, has won 30 riding titles at Southern California tracks. Through Thursday, he had eight mounts finish second and nine finish third at the current meeting.

“You try to stay positive,” he said. “We have tough months. It’s like anything else – you take the good with the bad.”