HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Joe Petalino has learned two things about J P’s Gusto since the 3-year-old arrived at his Oaklawn Park barn from Southern California last week. The first is that the horse is very territorial.

“He tried to eat us alive when we went to put his blanket on,” joked Petalino.

The second lesson came Monday, and it was much more important. Petalino said J P’s Gusto handled the Oaklawn surface quite well when he breezed six furlongs in an easy 1:15.60. The move was in preparation for Monday’s Grade 3, $250,000 Southwest.

ARCADIA, Calif. – The Factor will be ridden by jockey Martin Garcia when the speedy colt makes his 3-year-old debut in Sunday’s $150,000 San Vicente Stakes, trainer Bob Baffert said late Monday.

Garcia will replace Rafael Bejarano, who was aboard The Factor for a 8 1/4-length victory in a six-furlong maiden race in track-record time of 1:06.98 at Santa Anita on Dec. 26, the colt’s most recent start.

Welcome to Under the Radar. Each week, I’ll select an up-and-coming Derby prospect for my stable of Radar Runners.

Neil Howard may be best known for his thoughtful and patient handling of young horses. Rarely will you see a Howard juvenile pop first-time out. In fact, according to DRF Formulator statistics, Howard is only 3 for 51 (6 percent, 0.85 return on investment) with debuting 2-year-olds over the past five years.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla - A year ago about this time, trainer Chad Brown was thinking Florida Derby and even Kentucky Derby with a promising 3-year-old named Tiz the One. A son of Tiznow, Tiz the One opened his career here with two impressive victories, the second a one-mile entry level allowance win for which he earned a 101 Beyer Speed Figure. Unfortunately, a series of injuries has kept Tiz the One sidelined ever since.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla.- Trainer Todd Pletcher reported that Brethren came out of his easy victory in Saturday’s Grade 3 Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs in good order, but remained noncommittal regarding when or where Brethren, younger brother of Super Saver, might start next.

ARCADIA, Calif. – The Factor, the track-record holder for six furlongs at Santa Anita, is tentatively scheduled to start in Sunday’s Grade 2, $150,000 San Vicente Stakes at Santa Anita after working seven furlongs at Hollywood Park on Monday.

The Factor was timed in 1:24.40, after splits of 35.60 seconds for three furlongs and six furlongs in 1:11.60, according to Hollywood Park clockers.

“Right now, he looks good,” trainer Bob Baffert said. “The way he looks right now, he’d run unless something changes my mind.”

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – J P’s Gusto geared up for a start in the Grade 3, $250,000 Southwest at Oaklawn Park on Feb. 21, when he breezed six furlongs in hand in 1:15.60 on Monday morning. It was his first local work since arriving in town Wednesday. He went just after 7 a.m. Central.

J P’s Gusto had been based in Southern California with trainer David Hofmans, but last week he was transferred to the care of Oaklawn-based trainer Joe Petalino. A Grade 1 winner of more than $500,000, he is a long-term candidate for the Arkansas Derby on April 16.

The $150,000 San Vicente Stakes at Santa Anita next Sunday could produce a few starters for the $250,000 San Felipe Stakes on March 12.

The Grade 2 San Vicente, run over seven furlongs, is expected to feature Jaycito, the winner of the Grade 1 Norfolk Stakes last fall who has not started since finishing a troubled sixth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Churchill Downs in November.

KENTUCKY DERBY NEWS: Track all the 3-year-olds on the Triple Crown trail

ARCADIA, Calif.- Anthony’s Cross, the winner of the Grade 2 Robert Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita on Saturday, may not start again until the $1 million Santa Anita Derby on April 9, trainer Eoin Harty said on Sunday.

Plans for Tapizar, who finished fifth as the 1-5 favorite in the Lewis, have not been finalized, trainer Steve Asmussen said.

KENTUCKY DERBY NEWS: Track all the 3-year-olds on the Triple Crown trail 

BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. - Eclipse Award winner Uncle Mo picked up the pace appreciably training up to his much anticipated 3-year-old debut when he worked four furlongs in 47.36 seconds at Palm Meadows shortly after dawn on Sunday.