Dortmund readies for San Antonio with team workout

ARCADIA, Calif. – Dortmund, the top handicap horse stabled in California, worked seven furlongs Wednesday at Santa Anita in preparation for his anticipated role as favorite in the Grade 2 San Antonio Stakes here on Feb. 6.

Dortmund was credited with a five-furlong work time of 59.40 seconds, the fastest of the morning. According to trainer Bob Baffert, the team workout with Midnight Hawk was seven furlongs.

“I could tell he needed the work,” Baffert said. “He worked good. I put Midnight Hawk out there in from of him to give him a target.”

Midnight Hawk was credited with a five-furlong work time of 59.80.

Dortmund, the 2015 Santa Anita Derby winner and 8 for 10 overall, skipped the Grade 2 San Pasqual on Jan. 9, a race won by California Chrome, who is in Dubai.

The Wednesday workout by Dortmund was his third in the last 11 days. He worked a half-mile in 47 seconds on Jan. 16 and six furlongs in 1:12 on Jan. 22.

In addition to Dortmund, Baffert expects to start Hoppertunity and El Kabeir in the San Antonio. San Pasqual runner-up Imperative also is expected to start in the San Antonio.

Dortmund won his first six starts prior to finishing third in the Kentucky Derby and fourth in the Preakness. He returned Oct. 24 with a facile win in a minor stakes at Santa Anita, followed by a 4 1/2-length victory Nov. 28 in the Grade 3 Native Diver at Del Mar. That was his most recent start.

Owned by Kaleem Shah, the 4-year-old Dortmund has earned $1,712,480.