San Felipe next for Mastery after sharp work

Mastery, one of the top 3-year-olds in the country, will make his first start of the year in the Grade 2, $400,000 San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita on March 11, trainer Bob Baffert said Tuesday after Mastery worked six furlongs in 1:12 at Santa Anita.

The time equaled the fastest of 10 works at the distance on Tuesday.

Mastery worked in company, with Martin Garcia aboard. Mike Smith has the mount in the San Felipe.

"He worked great," Baffert said.

Mastery has turned in a strong series of works at Santa Anita in preparation for his first start of the year. He has not raced since winning the Grade 1 Los Alamitos Futurity in December. That race completed a perfect 3-for-3 campaign as a 2-year-old.

Baffert added that with Mastery ticketed to the San Felipe, his other top Kentucky Derby prospect, American Anthem, will be pointed to the Rebel at Oaklawn on March 18.