Trainers of contenders hope scheduled stakes can proceed at Santa Anita

The filly who won the 2019 Santa Anita Oaks and the likely favorite for this year’s race each worked a half-mile in 46.80 seconds at Santa Anita on Sunday.

But with Santa Anita closed for racing indefinitely because of the coronavirus pandemic, there is a question whether Bellafina, who won last year’s Santa Anita Oaks, and Venetian Harbor, who won the Grade 2 Las Virgenes Stakes on Feb. 8, will have the chance to race soon. The Santa Anita Oaks is scheduled for Saturday.

Deemed a non-essential business, Santa Anita was ordered closed Friday by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. Track officials are hoping to convince county health officials that the track can be reopened and operated safely during the virus outbreak.

Trainer Richard Baltas timed Venetian Harbor in 46.60 seconds.

“It was basically a gallop,” Baltas said. “She’s super talented. I hope the race goes this weekend.

“This filly is ready to run. She’s had plenty of time and plenty of good works.”

Saturday’s intended program is led by the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby at 1 1/8 miles. Authentic, winner of the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes on March 8, is considered the favorite. He worked six furlongs in 1:12.40 on Sunday for trainer Bob Baffert.

Drayden Van Dyke was aboard for the workout. Baffert had Authentic follow horses in the first half of the workout.

“He got a lot of dirt in his face and he came around them,” Baffert said. “It was a good schooling.”

Authentic is rated as a leading contender for the Kentucky Derby, which has been postponed by Churchill Downs officials from May 2 to Sept. 5.

“We’re waiting for the first Saturday in September,” Baffert said.

Of a more immediate concern is the resumption of racing at Santa Anita. “We’re hoping to hear something,” Baffert said.

Bellafina, a six-time stakes winner, was considered a candidate for the Grade 1 Madison Stakes at Keeneland on Saturday until that track announced earlier this month that it will not hold its spring meeting because of the coronavirus outbreak.

The Grade 3 Las Flores Stakes for fillies and mares at 6 1/2 furlongs, scheduled for Sunday at Santa Anita, is an alternative.

“I’m super happy with her,” trainer Simon Callaghan said. “She’s in good health this morning.

“Hopefully, we can race on Sunday.”

Callaghan has Donna Veloce for the Santa Anita Oaks. She won the Grade 3 Santa Ysabel Stakes at Santa Anita on March 8 in her 2020 debut and was second in two Grade 1 races last fall – the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies at Santa Anita and Starlet Stakes at Los Alamitos.

Callaghan said on Sunday he is hopeful a rapid resolution can be reached between track and county officials to allow racing to resume, particularly since horses based at Santa Anita need round-the-clock care.

“It’s important for the whole industry to have the Santa Anita Derby and Santa Anita Oaks,” Callaghan said.

“I think there is a chance that if we can get our points across that we can conduct racing in a safe manner,” he said. “We have to look after the horses.

“We’re doing everything within our power to conduct everything in a safe manner. Racing can continue behind closed doors as it has for the last few weeks.”