Stellar Wind shows fitness in Apple Blossom drill

ARCADIA, Calif. – Stellar Wind, the champion 3-year-old filly of 2015, worked seven furlongs in 1:27 at Santa Anita on Friday while preparing for the Grade 1 Apple Blossom Stakes at Oaklawn Park on April 14.

“I had her in 1:26,” trainer John Sadler said. “She broke two lengths behind Pappou, and she finished four or five lengths in front of him.

“She wasn’t tired. She galloped a mile in about 1:40. She’ll come back next Friday and probably work five-eighths.”

Pappou, the winner of a maiden claimer on March 9, was timed in 1:29 for seven furlongs.

Stellar Wind has worked steadily in recent weeks for the Apple Blossom, which will be her first start since a fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Santa Anita last November. The BC Distaff at Del Mar on Nov. 3 is a long-term goal for Stellar Wind.

Owned by Pete and Kosta Hronis, Stellar Wind has won 7 of 12 starts and earned $1,453,200.

Also Friday, Denman’s Call, the winner of the Grade 1 Triple Bend Stakes on March 11, worked five furlongs in 1:03.20. Trained by Doug O’Neill, Denman’s Call is a candidate for the Grade 2 Churchill Downs Stakes at seven furlongs on May 6.