Berrio able to get back on horses during training hours

Jockey Omar Berrio, who suffered a mild stroke last week, was already back on horses on Thursday morning during training hours at Santa Anita, galloping a pair of runners for trainer A.C. Avila.

“He still needs to go back to the doctor to get cleared to ride races,” said Avila, who is Berrio’s biggest booster. “He’s going to have to change his diet, cut out all the salt and junk food. He has high blood pressure. But thank God he’s going to be okay.”

World Renowned should improve

Trainer John Sadler is expecting a better effort on Saturday from the 3-year-old colt World Renowned, an expensive yearling purchase with a fancy pedigree who split the field, finishing fifth of nine, in a sprint debut Nov. 28 at Hollywood Park. In Saturday’s third race, he stretches out to one mile.

“He started in a sprint, and ran well enough. Now it’s time to stretch out,” Sadler said Thursday morning. “His training has been semi-spotty lately because of the weather, but there’s a lot of stamina in his action.”

World Renowned, a son of A.P. Indy out of the outstanding racemare Splendid Blended, cost $900,000 as a yearling at Saratoga in August 2009.

Mandella horse dies

The Richard Mandella-trained filly who caused a three-horse accident at Santa Anita on Wednesday morning died that night after apparently bleeding from internal injuries, Mandella said Thursday morning.

Mandella originally thought the unraced filly had escaped unscathed.

Trainer David Hofmans said the two horses of his who were involved in the accident were both fine on Thursday morning.

The accident occurred when Mandella’s filly, who had been schooling at the starting gate near the six-furlong pole in the chute, bolted toward the inside rail of the clubhouse turn, colliding with the Hofmans pair, who were galloping out after a tandem workout.