Baffert Trio Works at Santa Anita

Trainer Bob Baffert sent out three of his sophomore big guns to the track March 4 at Santa Anita Park, with a pair going six furlongs in company and stable star McKinzie going seven-eighths.

The track was rated fast a day after it was rated wet fast, sealed in Southern California. McKinzie, an easy winner of the Sham Stakes (G3) Jan. 6, went seven furlongs in 1:23 4/5.

Undefeated in three starts, McKinzie is a son of Street Sense —Runaway Model, by Petionville and races for Karl Watson, Mike Pegram, and Paul Weitman.

Going six furlongs in company were Solomini and Restoring Hope. The former, who finished in front of McKinzie but was placed third behind him and Instilled Regard in the Dec. 9 Los Alamitos CashCall Futurity (G1), went in 1:11 2/5 inside of his workmate. Gary and Mary West's homebred Restoring Hope (by Giant's Causeway ), a Feb. 2 maiden winner, went in 1:11 3/5.

Zayat Stables' Solomini (Curlin —Surf Song, by Storm Cat), finished second in both the Frontrunner Stakes (G1) and the Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) prior to his CashCall Futurity effort.

McKinzie is currently fourth on Steve Haskin's Derby Dozen; Solomini ranks fifth. Both horses are currently among the top 20 Road to the Kentucky Derby contenders by total points earned.

(This story will be updated)