Unsettled racing schedules forcing California trainers to revise plans

The disrupted racing schedules in Kentucky and New York caused by the coronavirus outbreak has left a few California trainers unsure where to run prominent stakes horses in coming weeks.

Ginobili, second to the highly regarded Nadal in the Grade 2 San Vicente Stakes on Feb. 9, worked a half-mile in 47.60 seconds at Santa Anita on the infield training track on Sunday for an undetermined goal.

Trainer Richard Baltas intended to run Ginobili in the Grade 3 Bay Shore Stakes for 3-year-olds at seven furlongs at Aqueduct on April 4, but New York racing is currently suspended after a stable area employee at Belmont Park recently tested positive for coronavirus.

Baltas said the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby at 1 1/8 miles on April 4 is “too far” for Ginobili. Another option is the $150,000 Bachelor Stakes at six furlongs at Oaklawn Park on April 25.

Bellafina, a six-time stakes winner who was second in the Grade 1 La Brea Stakes for 3-year-old fillies on Dec. 28, worked five furlongs in 1:00.40 on Sunday. Trainer Simon Callaghan had planned to run Bellafina in the Grade 1 Madison Stakes for fillies and mares at Keeneland on April 4, but that track’s spring meeting was recently canceled because of the coronavirus outbreak.

Callaghan said in a text message on Sunday that Bellafina’s schedule may be determined by the end of this month.

“We will work her again next week and hopefully by then we will have an idea of what race to point her towards,” he said.

The next sprint for fillies and mares at Santa Anita is the Grade 3 Las Flores Stakes at six furlongs on April 5.

Typical of a weekend morning, there were several notable workouts on Sunday, with horses being prepared for leading races in April. Santa Anita is currently racing without spectators and with the bare minimum of essential personnel on hand to conduct racing. Owners, for example, are not permitted to attend.

Participants are hopeful the sport can continue at least in this manner for the time being while the coronavirus outbreak affects nearly every aspect of day-to-day life.

The richest race of the meeting is the $1 million Santa Anita Derby on April 4, a program that would normally draw a robust audience. A few candidates for that race worked on Sunday.

Honor A. P., second in the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes in his 3-year-old debut on March 7, worked five furlongs under jockey Mike Smith in 1:00 for the Santa Anita Derby. The workout was the second for Honor A. P. since the San Felipe.

“He’s maturing all the time,” trainer John Shirreffs said. “The works don’t seem to faze him. He wants to go back out there and train.”

The Santa Anita Derby was intended to be a prep for the Kentucky Derby on May 2, but that race has been postponed until Sept. 5 because of the coronavirus outbreak. Shirreffs said Honor A. P.’s spring campaign will be determined in coming weeks.

“It all depends on the calendar,” he said. “When the races come up, we’ll run.”

Thousand Words, who was beaten for the first time when fourth in the San Felipe Stakes in his fourth start, worked five furlongs in 1:00.20. He is expected to start in the Santa Anita Derby.

Eight Rings, winner of the Grade 1 American Pharoah Stakes last September for trainer Bob Baffert, worked six furlongs in preparation for his 3-year-old debut. Baffert said in a text message that he has not selected a race for Eight Rings’ comeback.

Venetian Harbor, trained by Baltas, worked five furlongs in 58.60 seconds in preparation for the Grade 2 Santa Anita Oaks at 1 1/16 miles on April 4. Venetian Harbor won the Grade 2 Las Virgenes Stakes on Feb. 8.

“I wanted to let her do a little something,” Baltas said. “We’ll give her an easy work next week.”

Fashionably Fast, the winner of four consecutive stakes for California-breds, worked five furlongs in 1:00.60 for the Grade 3 Kona Gold Stakes at 6 1/2 furlongs on April 19.

Higher Power, third in the Breeders’ Cup Classic here in November but last of 10 in the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Invitational at Gulfstream Park in January, worked a half-mile in 49 seconds, for an expected start in the Grade 2 Californian Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on April 18.