Gormley, Mastery prepare for possible meeting

ARCADIA, Calif. – Gormley and Mastery, a pair of Grade 1-winning 3-year-olds, both worked a half-mile Wednesday in preparation for stakes, which might even include a head-to-head matchup.

Gormley, the winner of the Grade 1 FrontRunner Stakes last fall, went in 51.20 seconds under Victor Espinoza in his first drill since capturing the Sham Stakes on Jan. 7. Trainer John Shirreffs said Gormley could run next in the Grade 3, $150,000 Robert B. Lewis Stakes on Feb. 4 or await the Grade 2, $400,000 San Felipe Stakes on March 11.

“He came out of the race well,” Shirreffs said.

The San Felipe is one of two races being considered by trainer Bob Baffert for Mastery, who has not raced since capturing the Grade 1 CashCall Futurity last month. The other option for his 3-year-old debut is the Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn on March 18.

“He’ll run twice before the Kentucky Derby,” Baffert said.

Mastery was timed in 47.60 seconds on Wednesday with jockey Mike Smith aboard.