Callaghan's stars gearing up

ARCADIA, Calif. – Trainer Simon Callaghan is getting set to unleash some of the best runners in his barn, like Bellafina, Donna Veloce, and Great Power, all of whom moved over to Santa Anita for finishing touches following workouts Thursday at Los Alamitos.

Bellafina, who closed her 2019 campaign with second-place finishes in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint and La Brea, went a half-mile in 49.60 seconds in her first work of 2020. Callaghan said her intended comeback spot is the Grade 1 Madison at Keeneland in April.

:: To stay up to date, follow us on: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Donna Veloce, second in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies and Los Alamitos Starlet in her final starts of 2019, worked five furlongs in 1:01, her third recorded work of the year.

“She’s on target for March 8,” Callaghan said, referring to the Grade 3 Santa Ysabel, her first of two scheduled starts prior to the Kentucky Oaks. “She’ll get in a few workouts over this track.”

The 3-year-old Great Power, who has not been seen since an impressive victory on debut on Sept. 29 at Santa Anita, went five furlongs in 1:00.40 in his fourth drill since Jan. 26.

“We’ll see how his next few breezes go over this track,” said Callaghan, who said he has nominated Great Power to every stakes imaginable in coming weeks. “His works have really been pleasing us. He’s held in high regard.”