Journalism (Curlin), winner of last year's GI Preakness Stakes, GI Santa Anita Derby and GI Haskell, had his first official workout of the year at Santa Anita Sunday. Also working for trainer Michael McCarthy was Meaning (Gun Runner), winner of the Feb. 8 Las Virgenes Stakes.
Journalism worked three furlongs in :36.80.
“Nice and easy,” trainer Michael McCarthy said when asked about Sunday's move. “He got in a good rhythm and galloped out well. It's kind of a maintenance pattern with him right now.”
Journalism has been off since finishing fourth in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic on Nov. 1. McCarthy has said the GI Metropolitan Handicap in June at Saratoga is likely the first major target for Journalism this year.
Meaning worked for the first time since her 1 1/2-length victory in the Las Virgenes going one-mile. She was officially clocked going four furlongs in :48.40. McCarthy said he timed the drill in :49.20.
“I thought it was a nice maintenance move also,” McCarthy added.
The next stakes engagement for 3-year-old fillies on dirt at Santa Anita is the GIII Santa Ysabel going 1 1/16 miles on Mar. 8. It is followed by the GII Santa Anita Oaks on Apr. 4.
“We'll keep all of our options open, but we'd definitely like to make the Santa Anita Oaks,” McCarthy said.
Meaning is owned by Bridlewood Farm and Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners. Prior to the Las Virgenes, the bay finished fourth in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies on Oct. 31 at Del Mar.
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