Kaleem Shah's GI Breeders' Cup Classic winner Bayern (Offlee Wild) breezed five furlongs Saturday ahead of a possible start in either the GII San Antonio S. at Santa Anita or the GI Donn H. at Gulfstream Park. Both races are held at nine furlongs Feb. 7. Timed in 1:00.40 (23/63), the GI William Hill Haskell Invitational S. and GII Woody Stephens S. hero had Martin Garcia aboard in a move that pleased conditioner Bob Baffert.
“He worked real nice,” said Baffert. “He was very comfortable. We're just working to get him back to the races. We have a few spots in mind, including the [GII] San Antonio S. and the [GI] Donn.”
Steven Coburn and Perry Martin's dual Classic victor California Chrome also worked Saturday morning, traveling six furlongs in 1:12.60 (3/10) at Los Alamitos in preparation for an intended start in the GII San Antonio S. The Art Sherman trainee sped fractions of :23 4/5, :48 2/5 and 1:00 2/5, with regular jockey Victor Espinoza in the irons. The chestnut was last seen winning the GI Hollywood Derby over the Del Mar lawn Nov. 29.
“Great,” commented son and assistant trainer Alan Sherman when asked about California Chrome's work.
Bayern and California Chrome could be joined by the once-beaten recent GI Malibu S. winner and champion 2-year-old male Shared Belief (Candy Ride {Arg}).
“It would be fun to see these three horses come together again in the San Antonio,” added Sherman.
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