Stellar Wind just starting back

ARCADIA, Calif. – Stellar Wind, the champion 3-year-old filly of 2015, is progressing toward her 5-year-old debut. On Friday at Santa Anita, Stellar Wind worked a half-mile in 48.60 seconds.

Trained by John Sadler for Pete and Kosta Hronis, Stellar Wind had the first workout of her comeback Feb. 4, three furlongs in 36.80 seconds.

“We’re getting in our foundation works,” Sadler said. “It’s going pretty smoothly.”

Sadler said he has not selected a comeback race for Stellar Wind, who has not raced since finishing fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff last November. Stellar Wind had trouble at the start in that race and finished 3 3/4 lengths behind race winner Beholder.

Sadler said aiming for the Grade 1 Santa Margarita Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on March 18 would be “stretching it.”

Stellar Wind has won 7 of 12 starts and earned $1,453,200.

◗ Drefong, the champion sprinter of 2016, worked five furlongs in 58.60 seconds on Friday, the fastest of 99 works at the distance. Trained by Bob Baffert, Drefong is a candidate for the $2 million Golden Shaheen for sprinters in Dubai on March 25.

Imperative, the winner of the $400,000 Poseidon Stakes at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 28, worked a half-mile in 51.60 seconds Friday. Trainer Bob Hess is pointing Imperative for the $750,000 Santa Anita Handicap on March 11.