Ocho Ocho Ocho works quick half-mile

ARCADIA, Calif. – Ocho Ocho Ocho seems eager to start his 3-year-old campaign.

The winner of the $1 million Delta Jackpot Stakes in Louisiana in November, Ocho Ocho Ocho worked a half-mile in 47.60 seconds Thursday at Santa Anita, a time quicker than trainer Jim Cassidy would have preferred. The half-mile workout was the first recorded work for Ocho Ocho Ocho this year.

“I’m not happy with the workout, but I’m happy with the horse,” Cassidy said.

In recent weeks, Cassidy said Ocho Ocho Ocho occasionally has displayed ornery behavior toward exercise riders in daily track work.

“What he’ll do is go around there blah and then try to buck him off on the way home,” Cassidy said.

Owned by Deron Pearson, Ocho Ocho Ocho is tentatively scheduled to start March 7 in the $400,000 San Felipe Stakes at 1 1/16 miles. California Chrome, the 2014 Horse of the Year, won the San Felipe and Santa Anita Derby before winning the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes last year.