Gimme Da Lute works five furlongs toward return

ARCADIA, Calif. – Gimme Da Lute, a winner of four consecutive stakes from early June to late August, worked five furlongs in 1:01.20 on Thursday at Santa Anita.

Trainer Bob Baffert said he does not have a race goal for Gimme Da Lute, who races for Jim Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman. Gimme Da Lute has won 6 of 9 starts and earned $627,560.

“There are a lot of options,” Baffert said.

Gimme Da Lute won the El Cajon Stakes on Aug. 29 in his latest start. He was held out of the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby on Sept. 19 because of a foot problem and was scratched from the $300,000 Santa Anita Sprint Championship at six furlongs last weekend.

Om, the winner of the Grade 2 Del Mar Derby on Sept. 5, worked five furlongs in 1:03.20. He is a leading candidate for the $200,000 Twilight Derby at 1 1/8 miles on turf Oct. 24.

◗ There is racing at Santa Anita on Monday due to the Columbus Day holiday. There are minor stakes highlighting programs Sunday and Monday.

Sunday’s top race is the $70,000 Anoakia Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at six furlongs. It is led by the Del Mar maiden-race winner Miss Big Stuff. Monday’s top race is the $100,000 California Flag Handicap for statebreds at about 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course.