Santa Anita: Amazombie sharpens for Palos Verdes

Following Monday’s nine-race program, racing resumes at Santa Anita on Thursday with a four-day racing week. The major race next weekend is Saturday’s Grade 2, $150,000 Palos Verdes Stakes over six furlongs. The list of nominees is led by Amazombie, the leading contender for the Eclipse Awards as the nation’s outstanding sprinter of 2011.

Saturday at Santa Anita, Amazombie worked six furlongs in 1:15.60. Trained by Bill Spawr, Amazombie has won his last two starts – the Ancient Title Stakes here in October and the BC Sprint at Churchill Downs a month later.

The fastest of Saturday’s 19 recorded works over six furlongs was achieved by Game On Dude, in 1:12.60. A finalist for outstanding older male of 2011, Game On Dude won the Santa Anita Handicap and Goodwood Stakes here last year and was second in the BC Classic. Trained by Bob Baffert, Game On Dude is a candidate for the San Antonio Stakes on Feb. 5.

The Eclipse Awards will be announced in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Monday evening.