Eric Kronfeld's homebred Eblouissante, a 4-year-old half sister to 2010 Horse of the Year Zenyatta, continues to make excellent progress from a foot bruise she suffered last month.
Still, trainer John Shirreffs said it's too early to know for sure whether the daughter of Bernardini —Vertigineux, by Kris S. will be able to make the $300,000 Santa Margarita Invitational (gr. I) March 16.
The bruise was discovered following her victory in a Jan. 17 allowance/optional claimer at Santa Anita Park.
"She's been galloping for about a week," Shirreffs said. "It's like the story about the lion with the splinter in his foot. Here is this big king of the jungle and he was so happy once they took that little splinter out.
"We had been putting vet wrap on her with padding for her gallops. Today, we decided to remove the bandage before her gallop, and as soon as we took it off, she was like, 'Oh, I'm fine; let's go.' She went out there and galloped much stronger and had more extension to her gait, and was bright, alert, and happy. Just like the lion, she was back breathing fire.
"Her gallop today was much much better, but we'll have to wait to see how she works before we have an idea whether she can make the Santa Margarita."
Eblouissante won two previous career starts, breaking her maiden by 4 1/4 lengths at Betfair Hollywood Park Nov. 16. Both her races have been run at 1 1/16 miles.
