The multiple graded stakes-winning 4-year-old filly Vahva is back on a steady work pattern at Fair Grounds after getting some winter down time at the track.

Vahva last raced Oct. 21 at Keeneland, where she won the Grade 2 Raven Run by a half-length over the high-quality Alva Starr. Vahva’s connections wanted to send her to California for the Grade 1 La Brea Stakes, but suitable transport could not be arranged. Trainer Cherie DeVaux at one point targeted the Inside Information Stakes at Gulfstream Park, but instead freshened up Vahva for a spring and summer campaign.

Intricate came out of her second-place finish Feb. 17 in the Rachel Alexandra Stakes in good shape and remains on track to make her next start March 23 in the Fair Grounds Oaks, trainer Brendan Walsh said Sunday.

Walsh hopes to get Intricate to the Kentucky Oaks, which he won last year with Pretty Mischievous. Champion 3-year-old filly of 2023, Pretty Mischievous had her first work as a 4-year-old last week in Florida.

The connections of the exciting 3-year-old gelding Doncho evidently have dutifully been vaccinated against Derby Fever.

Doncho began his career Dec. 30 at Fair Grounds with a five-length maiden win over six furlongs that yielded a 94 Beyer Speed Figure. He returned Feb. 13 in a first-level allowance race over the same distance and won by 4 1/2 lengths with another 94 Beyer. Doncho’s trainer, Michelle Lovell, said the plan is to stretch Doncho out in distance, but only to seven furlongs in the $400,000 Lafayette Stakes April 5 at Keeneland.

A desperate head separated victorious Senor Buscador and tough-luck runner-up Ushba Tesoro in the $20 million Saudi Cup last Saturday, and the two horses are headed for a rematch March 30 at Meydan Racecourse in the $12 million Dubai World Cup.

If Not for Luck has found a home on Gulfstream Park’s Tapeta surface, and will seek his third consecutive victory over it in Thursday’s first-level allowance feature going five furlongs.

Away from the races for 16 months after making his first five starts for Marcial Navarro, If Not for Luck finished second in a $35,000 claimer over the synthetic surface on Dec. 3.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Southern California trainer Dan Blacker began a 90-day suspension on Monday for 527 incidents in which horses in his care did not undergo pre-workout veterinary exams for an 18-month period ending in July 2023.

During the suspension, Blacker’s stable will be under the direction of his assistant, Juan Landeros.

The suspension runs through May 25 and includes a $15,000 fine, one of the more severe penalties issued by California stewards in recent years.

ARCADIA, Calif. – The infield training track at Santa Anita is expected to open in the first week of March, with a few maintenance tasks remaining to be completed on the new synthetic surface, track general manager Nate Newby said over the weekend.

Newby said the material has been installed with the primary objective in coming days focused on grooming the surface for everyday use. The course closed in November, after the track’s fall meeting, and was scheduled to reopen in mid-January.

ARCADIA, Calif. – On the turn of the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Invitational on Jan. 27 at Gulfstream Park, O’Connor gave his backers a thrill when he briefly moved into third behind Hoist the Gold and eventual winner National Treasure.

It was as close as O’Connor would get to winning the $3 million race. He faded to finish fifth, beaten 12 lengths.

The loss has not deterred trainer Saffie Joseph Jr.’s belief that O’Connor can win a top-rated race. On Saturday, O’Connor will have his West Coast debut in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap at 1 1/4 miles.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – After briefly being tempted with the prospect of wheeling his Holy Bull winner Hades back Saturday in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth, trainer Joe Orseno made the decision he knew in his heart was the right one, to bypass the race and await the Grade 1, $1 million Florida Derby four weeks further down the Kentucky Derby trail.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Good horses make you wait, the adage goes, and the connections of Light Man hope that holds true. Light Man, a 4-year-old gelding by Central Banker who debuted early in his 2-year-old season, makes just his third career start Thursday at Aqueduct.