Two notable Cal-breds getting in gear

ARCADIA, Calif. -- The California-bred stakes-winning sprinters Big Macher and Harlington’s Rose progressed toward springtime comebacks at Santa Anita on Saturday.

Big Macher, who was fifth in the $2 million Golden Shaheen Stakes for sprinters at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai on March 28, galloped for the first time this month on Saturday. Big Macher had jogged in recent days after resuming training following the Dubai trip.

Trainer Richard Baltas said that Big Macher may start at the Santa Anita spring-summer meeting, which begins next Friday, but could be held out of racing action until the Del Mar summer meeting.

“My preference is to wait until Del Mar,” he said. “He looks good. He seems healthy.”

Owned by Tom Mansor and Tachycardia Stables, the 5-year-old Big Macher has won 6 of 16 starts and earned $617,678. He has won four stakes, the most notable being the Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes at Del Mar last July.

The same race on July 26 is a possibility. Two options at the Santa Anita spring-summer meeting are the $100,000 Los Angeles Stakes at six furlongs on May 25 or the $300,000 Triple Bend Stakes at seven furlongs on June 27.

Harlington’s Rose worked a half-mile in 47.80 seconds on Saturday, her first workout since a win in the Grade 3 Las Flores Stakes on March 8.

“We gave her a little break,” trainer Steve Knapp said. “She had a lot of hard races. There are a lot of good races coming up to Del Mar.”

Harlington’s Rose is expected to have her next start in the $150,000 Spring Fever Stakes at six furlongs for California-bred fillies and mares on May 23. The $200,000 Great Lady M Stakes at 6 1/2 furlongs for fillies and mares at Los Alamitos on July 11 is a possibility for early summer. At Del Mar, Harlington’s Rose could run in the $100,000 Rancho Bernardo Handicap at 6 1/2 furlongs on Aug. 16.

Harlington’s Rose has won 4 of 21 starts and earned $371,040 for a partnership that includes Thomas Halasz, Ryan Johnson, Paul Newhart, and Martha Miller.