Express Train, Independence Hall work for Santa Anita Handicap

Express Train and Independence Hall, two of the older horses pointing to the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap on March 6, both worked Friday morning at Santa Anita.

Express Train, coming off a dominating victory in last month’s San Pasqual, went six furlongs in 1:12.40 for trainer John Shirreffs.

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Independence Hall, third most recently in last month’s Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream, worked five furlongs in 1:01.20 for Michael McCarthy.

McCarthy also worked Smooth Like Strait five furlongs in 1:00.20 in preparation for the Grade 1 Kilroe Mile on turf, also March 6. Smooth Like Strait has been freshened since winning the Mathis Brothers Mile on opening day, Dec. 26.

The highly regarded 3-year-old filly Astute, idle since finishing fourth in the Los Alamitos Starlet and emerging with bruised feet, moved closer to a return to action with a five-furlong work in 59.40 for Richard Mandella. Her time equaled the fastest of 32 at the distance Friday.

On Thursday, Big Cap candidate Tizamagician – second in the San Pasqual – worked five furlongs in 1:00.80 for Mandella.

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Also Thursday, Bob and Jackie, another Kilroe Mile candidate, went a half-mile on the training track in 49.20 seconds for trainer Richard Baltas.

Speech, last year’s Grade 1 Ashland winner, had her second work on the comeback trail for McCarthy on Thursday, going three furlongs in 35.80 seconds. She was given time off after finishing sixth in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint.

◗ An agreement among Santa Anita, Del Mar, and the Thoroughbred Owners of California to redirect revenue from advance-deposit wagering into player rebates, stakes recruitment, and Ship and Win incentives was approved by the California Horse Racing Board during its monthly meeting on Wednesday.