Johar Returns to Work Tab for Mandella

Turf star Johar, unraced since finishing 16th in the Nov. 30 Japan Cup (gr. IT), had his first workout of the new year on Friday, logging three furlongs handily in :36 2/5 over Santa Anita's fast main track.

Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella has no specific race picked out for John Deere Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. IT) winner. He said he is hoping the 5-year-old son of Gone West--Windsharp, by Lear Fan, will get at least one start before the end of the current Santa Anita season.

"It was a nice work," Mandella said. "We don't really have anything picked out for him, but hopefully the Arcadia if all goes well."

The April 3 Arcadia Handicap (gr. IIT) is a nine-furlong grass event for 4-year-olds and upward that carries a purse of $150,000.

In addition to winning the Breeders' Cup in a dead heat with champion High Chaparral, Johar also won last year's San Marcos Handicap (gr. IIT) and placed in two other stakes. He also won the Hollywood Derby (gr. IT) and Oak Tree Derby (gr. IIT) as a sophomore and so far has banked $1,494,496 with a record of 16-6-4-2.

Mandella also sent champion Halfbridled out for a workout on Friday and the 3-year-old filly posted a five-furlong time in 1:02 4/5 under jockey Alex Solis, who was substituting for regular jockey Julie Krone.

Krone took off her mounts through at least the weekend, citing back soreness after riding three races on Wednesday, her first since being injured in a spill at Hollywood Park on Dec. 12.

"It was a nice easy five-eighths," Mandella said. "I didn't want her to do too much."

Last year's Eclipse Award winner as the country's outstanding 2-year-old filly was scheduled to make her 2004 debut in Sunday's Las Virgenes Stakes (gr. I), but Mandella decided she wouldn't be ready after developing a cough earlier this month. She will instead train up to the March 13 Santa Anita Oaks (gr. I).

"I'll step it up next week and start getting her ready for the Oaks."

Halfbridled is undefeated in four career starts and has banked $849,400. In addition to winning the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I), the daughter of Unbridled -- Half Queen (by Deputy Minister) won the Oak Leaf Stakes (gr. II) and the Del Mar Debutante (gr. I).

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