Vindication Warms Up for Soph Campaign

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(From track report)
Padua Stables' undefeated Vindication, preparing for his 3-year-old campaign, had his first workout Tuesday since winning the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) at Arlington Park Oct. 26, going three furlongs at Santa Anita in :36.60 under exercise rider Dana Barnes.

"He went nice and easy," trainer Bob Baffert said of the son of Seattle Slew. "I have no idea where he's going (to make his next start). The vacation's over."

In other significant drills Tuesday morning, Listen Indy and Goodwood Breeders' Cup Handicap (gr. II) winner Pleasantly Perfect worked five furlongs in company for Richard Mandella, each in 1:00.20. It was Listen Indy's first breeze since finishing seventh in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I).

"I got them in :59 3/5," said Mandella, who had Corey Black aboard Listen Indy and Crystal Brown on Pleasantly Perfect.

"Listen Indy was spotting a lot," interjected former jockey Black, "a couple of years (in age) and 30 or 40 pounds."

Mandella said both horses worked as a team and finished in a "dead heat." Pleasantly Perfect is being pointed to the Feb. 2 San Antonio Handicap (gr. II) at 1 1/8 miles, while Listen Indy has the April 5 Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) as his long-range goal.

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