By Justina Severni
'TDN Rising Star' Dortmund (Big Brown) has exited his GIII Native Diver S. victory Saturday in good form, according to trainer Bob Baffert. “He came out well,” Baffert said. “We're just going to see how he responds.”
The Kaleem Shah colorbearer will be aimed for a possible start in either the seven-furlong GI Malibu S. against fellow sophomores Dec. 26 at Santa Anita or in the 1 1/16-mile GII San Pasqual S. there Jan. 9.
“We were thinking Malibu, or it could be the San Pasqual,” the conditioner explained. “We've always thought Malibu, so we'll look to that first, but we'll make that call later.”
Two of Baffert's budding stable standouts worked Monday at Santa Anita in 'TDN Rising Star' Drefong (Gio Ponti) and Pretty N Cool (Scat Daddy). The former covered five furlongs in :59.60 (6/61), while the latter went a half-mile in :48.20 (25/45).
“He went nice, he just cruised,” Baffert said of Drefong. “I'm not sure [where he'll go next], we haven't really planed anything for him yet.”
Pegram, Watson and Weitman's Pretty N Cool, winner of the GII Sorrento S. Aug. 12 and GII Matron S. Oct. 10, was a disappointing fifth in Del Mar's Desi Arnaz S. Nov. 15.
“For some reason she didn't run well, but she came out of it nicely,” commented Baffert. “I think she got a little overexcited going to the gate, or something. She just ran a flat race, but physically she's fine.”
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