Over Cough, Halfbridled Works for Mandella

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(from Santa Anita notes)
Undefeated Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies champion Halfbridled worked six furlongs on Santa Anita's fast main track Thursday morning in 1:14 2/5 under jockey Alex Solis as she prepared for her 2004 debut in the $250,000 Las Virgenes Stakes (gr. I) at one mile on Feb. 15.

Trainer Richard Mandella clocked Halfbridled, worked in company with Rhythm King on Santa Anita's in 1:26 and change for seven furlongs. Rhythm King was clocked in 1:15 1/5.

"She just went beautiful," Mandella said of Halfbridled. "She went seven eighths in 26 and change. She went very slow the first half mile and then picked it up a little. Then she went a nice :23 and change the last quarter. She's on course but we've got to pray she doesn't get sick or something.

"We think we dodged the bullet there. She had a little coughing bout, but this (Las Virgenes) will be a test." Mandella said that Solis worked the filly "as a favor."

Solis gave Mandella the "thumbs up" sign as he guided Halfbridled off the track.

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