Surgery clouds Cee Dreams's future

ARCADIA, Calif. - Cee Dreams, the winner of the California Cup Matron on Nov. 3, underwent surgery on Monday to have 14 screws inserted in her right foreleg following an injury in a workout last Friday.

According to trainer Peter Eurton, Cee Dreams sustained damage to her suspensories and sesamoids. She is based at the San Luis Rey Downs Equine Medical Clinic, he said.

"Our biggest worry now is infection," Eurton said. "She's a good patient.

"She's walking on it. She seems to be able to put weight on it and give the other leg a break."

Eurton said Cee Dreams would wear a cast for six weeks. No definite plans have been made about whether the 6-year-old mare will be bred this year.

Owned by a partnership, Cee Dreams won 11 of 40 starts and $433,318. Last fall, she won the minor E.B. Johnston Stakes at Fairplex Park and was a convincing two-length winner of the California Cup Matron at the Oak Tree at Santa Anita meeting.

Small field for Santa Monica

Only five fillies and mares are expected for Saturday's $200,000 Santa Monica Handicap, the first Grade 1 of 2002.

As of Wednesday, the probables included Favorite Funtime, Kalookan Queen, Leading Light, Spain, and Warren's Whistle. There were only eight nominations, including Cee Dreams and Brisquette, who is entered in Friday's fourth race.

Lovellon will not start, trainer Ron McAnally said.

Trainer Vladimir Cerin said Leading Light's participation hinged on a short field. "With five, we may look to run," he said.

The winner of a $50,000 claimer last October, Leading Light will be a longshot against graded stakes winner Spain, the likely favorite, and Kalookan Queen.

Wooden Phone preps for San Antonio

Wooden Phone, the winner of the San Pasqual Handicap on Jan. 5, worked six furlongs in 1:11.60 on Wednesday, the second fastest of 26 works at the distance.

Trained by Bob Baffert, Wooden Phone is expected to start in the $250,000 San Antonio Handicap on Feb. 3, although Baffert said Wednesday he has not ruled out a trip to Gulfstream Park for the Donn Handicap on Feb. 9.

Plans are more certain for Popular, the winner of the San Miguel Stakes on Jan. 13. After watching the 3-year-old work a half-mile in 48.60 seconds on Wednesday, Baffert said Popular will start in the San Vicente Stakes on Feb. 2.

The seven-furlong San Vicente is expected to draw Came Home, the winner of the Hopeful Stakes last summer at Saratoga, and Werblin, the winner of an allowance race on Dec. 26 who worked six furlongs in 1:12 on Wednesday.