Baffert Tests Storm the Court with Nadal, Ra'ad

Two-time Triple Crown winner Bob Baffert has two horses set to take on Eclipse Award champion Storm the Court in his 3-year-old debut Feb. 9 at Santa Anita Park in the San Vicente Stakes (G2) at seven furlongs. They are debut winner Nadal, who won a 6 1/2-furlong maiden race at Santa Anita by 3 3/4 lengths as the 6-5 favorite Jan. 19, and Ra'ad, a winner by 2 1/2 lengths as the 7-10 favorite going six furlongs at Los Alamitos Race Course Dec. 7.

"Ra'ad's next major goal is the UAE Dubai Derby but this is a good spot for him," Baffert said of the son of Twirling Candy  owned by RRR Racing. The $2.5 million UAE Derby (G2), run at 1 3/16 miles, is March 28 at Meydan.

"Nadal was a last-minute call this week," Baffert continued. "I liked the way he worked, although I would have preferred to go in an allowance race, but this race came up and the second start is so important for these young horses, so I'd rather just run him here. After this I'll feel more confident running him two turns."

As to leading Triple Crown contender Thousand Words, undefeated gutsy winner of the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3), Baffert will monitor his works, "but the next step would be the (March 7) San Felipe (G2).

"He's a Pioneerof the Nile and a long-striding horse. He deals with everything really well and I love the way he handled all that kick back and dirt. When he was asked to go, he took off. He's a very workmanlike horse."

The full San Vicente field with jockeys and morning-line odds: Fast Enough, Tiago Pereira, 12-1; Ra'ad, Drayden Van Dyke, 8-1; Party Town, Jorge Velez, 20-1, Nadal, Joel Rosario, 4-5, Storm the Court, Flavien Prat, 9-5, and Ginobili, Abel Cedillo, 5-1.

Hard Not to Love, Honor A.P. Drill for Next Starts

Hard Not to Love, the one-eyed wonder filly who won the La Brea Stakes (G1), worked five furlongs in 1:00 3/5 at Santa Anita Feb. 7 under regular rider Mike Smith for the Feb. 15 Santa Monica Stakes (G2) at seven furlongs.

"We've nominated and we'll see," trainer John Shirreffs said with caution. "We're going step by step but she's training very well. Mike was extremely happy with the way she worked."

Also likely for the Santa Monica are L.A. Woman Stakes (G3) winner Lady Ninja, Kalookan Queen Stakes winner Mother Mother, and streaking stakes winner Queen Bee to You. Mother Mother worked five furlongs Friday in a bullet :59 4/5.

Meanwhile, Triple Crown hopeful Honor A.P. worked five furlongs Feb. 8 for Shirreffs in 1:00 4/5 with Smith aboard.

"He was scheduled to work Sunday, but we moved it up a day because there was rain in the forecast," Shirreffs explained. "We'll try and make the San Felipe."