Santa Anita strip open again for training

Santa Anita reopened its main track for full training on Thursday after limiting activity to joggers and gallopers on Tuesday and Wednesday. The track underwent a two-week project to reduce clay content and add sand, which began on July 11.

There were eight recorded works on the main track on Thursday, and 23 on Friday, including several trained by Bob Baffert. His stable at Santa Anita is directed by assistant Mike Marlow.

“I’ve heard nothing but high praises for it,” Baffert said of the track. “Mike said it’s really good.”

Friday, Baffert’s workers included Uncle Sam, the third-place finisher in the Swaps Stakes on July 16, who worked a half-mile in 48.80 seconds.

Santa Anita is serving as the secondary training center during the Del Mar meeting. Hollywood Park’s backstretch is closed until early September.