OZONE PARK, N.Y. – In the summer of 2017, when he decided that he wanted pursue a career as a jockey, Luis Cardenas did what most people do when they’re interested in learning more about something.

He went to Google.

Cardenas, who had been working as a groom at Monmouth Park, googled “training centers near me.” He found one in Virginia, but when Cardenas called no one answered. Next on the list was the Webb Carroll Training Center in South Carolina. Cardenas called and inquired about working there. The next day he received a return call to come down.

ARCADIA, Calif. – McKinzie, unraced since a second in the Breeders’ Cup Classic in November, worked five furlongs in 1:01.20 at Santa Anita on Wednesday for the $20 million Saudi Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Feb. 29.

Trained by Bob Baffert, McKinzie will have his first international start in the Saudi Cup, which is run at 1 1/8 miles on dirt.

The Baffert-trained Authentic, winner of the Grade 3 Sham Stakes on Jan. 4, worked five furlongs in 1:01.20 for an expected start in the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on March 7.

ARCADIA, Calif. – True Valour broke slowly and was stranded wide in the Grade 2 Joe Hernandez Stakes for turf sprinters on Jan. 1 at Santa Anita. He finished eighth of 10 as the 5-2 second choice, beaten four lengths. It was not his sort of trip.

“He didn’t break,” trainer Simon Callaghan recalled Wednesday. “He was wide and had no cover. Nothing went right for him.”

Spun to Run, the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner who was scratched out of the $3 million Pegasus World Cup on Jan. 25, is at Dr. Patty Hogan’s Fair Winds Farm in New Jersey getting some time off, owner Bob Donaldson said Wednesday.

“When I get concerned about a horse I send them to Patty,” Donaldson said. “He could use some home-cooking for a while, get his coat back, get him looking like the champion he is.”

Trainer Juan Carlos Guerrero said Spun to Run is still dealing with a little bit of skin disease.

OLDSMAR, Fla. – Well Defined will be looking for his first victory since going wire to wire in the 2019 Sam Davis when he faces five other older horses in the Friday feature at Tampa, a $25,000 allowance carded as the fifth of nine races. No Dozing and Big Dollar Bill are among the other notables in the mile and 40-yard race.

A second allowance follows an hour or so later as race 7. It’s a $22,500 first-level turf mile that drew nine 3-year-old fillies. First post is 12:40 p.m. Eastern.

OLDSMAR, Fla. – The Sam F. Davis is the primary focus of an annual Festival Preview Day card Saturday that leads to a second day of high-profile stakes on March 7, Tampa Bay Derby Day. The most accomplished runner in any of the three supporting events Saturday is Got Stormy, who figures as a heavy favorite in the Grade 3, $150,000 Endeavour for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles on turf.

OLDSMAR, Fla. – The Grade 3 Sam F. Davis Stakes, the only Kentucky Derby qualifier this weekend, got an unexpected measure of intrigue when Premier Star became a late addition to the lineup.

With Premier Star facing off against favored Independence Hall and perhaps six other 3-year-olds Saturday at Tampa Bay Downs, the $200,000 Sam Davis will have two unbeaten colts in the field. Entries for the race were being taken Wednesday.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – The millionaire Lone Sailor swept into Oaklawn from Fair Grounds last week and won an allowance route by a neck after battling through the stretch with Bruder Bob. He will now remain here with his next start to be determined, trainer Tom Amoss said Tuesday.

Amoss said he was concerned about the race setup for the late-running Lone Sailor when a couple of speed horses scratched.

“It required us to be put a little closer than he likes, than what his style is,” he said. “In the end, the difference maker was Joe Talamo. He rode him great.”

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Robertino Diodoro has taken the early lead in the trainer standings at Oaklawn, with seven winners from 25 starters through Sunday. They include Pioneer Spirit in the $100,000 Fifth Season on Jan. 25 and Special Relativity in the $125,000 American Beauty last Saturday.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Villainous helped trainer Jeremiah Englehart get off to a fast start at the Oaklawn Park meet when the 3-year-old won his two-turn debut on opening day.

Now, he’s headed for the track’s Grade 3, $750,000 Southwest on Feb. 17.

Villainous won a maiden special weight over a mile and a sixteenth Jan. 24, by a length and a quarter under Irad Ortiz, Jr. Villainous, by Wicked Strong, earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 77.