Champagne Room preps for Las Virgenes Stakes during busy training session

ARCADIA, Calif. – Champagne Room, the winner of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies on Nov. 5, worked five furlongs in 1:01.40 at Santa Anita on Monday, continuing to progress toward her 3-year-old debut in the $200,000 Las Virgenes Stakes at Santa Anita on Feb. 5.

Champagne Room was prominent among 234 recorded works Monday. There were a large number of workouts as trainers play catch-up following persistent rain last week and expected wet weather later this week.

Trained by Peter Eurton for a partnership that includes Sharon Alesia, Joe Ciaglia, and Gulliver Racing, Champagne Room has not raced since the BC Juvenile Fillies. She is the leading contender to be named champion 2-year-old filly of 2016 at the Eclipse Awards ceremony at Gulfstream Park in Florida on Saturday.

The Grade 2 Las Virgenes Stakes is run at a mile. The race is expected to draw Unique Bella, the impressive winner of the Grade 2 Santa Ynez Stakes at seven furlongs Jan. 8.

Eurton worked two other stakes winners – Ashleyluvssugar and Kobe’s Back.

Ashleyluvssugar, the winner of the Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap last August and the Grade 2 John Henry Turf Championship in October, worked five furlongs in 1:04.80. A 6-year-old gelding, Ashleyluvssugar was sixth in the Grade 2 Hollywood Gold Cup at Del Mar on Nov. 25. Eurton has targeted the $250,000 California Cup Turf Classic on Jan. 28 for Ashleyluvssugar’s first start of the year.

Kobe’s Back worked a half-mile in 48.60 seconds. Kobe’s Back, unraced since finishing third in the Grade 1 Triple Bend Stakes last June, will miss the $200,000 Palos Verdes Stakes at six furlongs on Feb. 4 and could be ready for the $300,000 Triple Bend Stakes at seven furlongs on March 11, Eurton said.

Big John B, unraced since winning the Grade 3 Tokyo City Cup last April, worked five furlongs on the infield training track in 1:03. Trained by Phil D’Amato, Big John B is a candidate for the $200,000 San Marcos Stakes at 1 1/4 miles on turf Feb. 4.

“The weather hasn’t been too cooperative, but he’s come back in good shape,” D’Amato said.

D’Amato worked two other stakes winners – Conquest Enforcer and Enola Gray.

Conquest Enforcer won the Grade 2 Mathis Brothers Mile for 3-year-olds on turf Dec. 26 and is expected to run in the $200,000 Arcadia Stakes at a mile on turf Feb. 11. Conquest Enforcer worked a half-mile in 48.60 seconds.

Enola Gray, a winner of three stakes for California-breds, worked a half-mile in 48.60 seconds. She is a likely starter for the $150,000 Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf Sprint on the hillside turf course Jan. 28.

Enola Gray was third in the Grade 1 La Brea Stakes for 3-year-old fillies Dec. 26.

Maldonado gets first win of comeback

Three weeks after returning from severe rib injuries sustained in early September, jockey Edwin Maldonado won Sunday’s second race for maiden claimers at Santa Anita, his first victory since August.

Maldonado fractured six ribs when he was unseated in a workout at Del Mar on Sept. 4. He was hospitalized for more than a week and underwent surgery to stabilize the ribs.

Maldonado returned to riding Dec. 26, opening day of the winter-spring meeting. His win aboard Pomp and Party ($3.40) in Sunday’s second race was his 12th mount of the comeback. The win was appreciated, Maldonado said.

“I took it for granted when I was fit and riding,” he said after leaving the winner’s circle.

“I’ve never been off for that long in 15 years. I’ve been working horses left and right. I’m back now, and I’m hungry.”

Maldonado, 34, has won three riding titles in California, most recently tying with Rafael Bejarano at the 2013 spring-summer meeting at Hollywood Park.