(from Santa Anita stable notes)
El Gato Malo and Georgie Boy turned in bullet moves March 29 at Hollywood Park in their final major works for next week’s Santa Anita Derby (gr. I). El Gato Malo breezed five furlongs at Hollywood Park in 59 seconds, while Georgie Boy, also breezing, went six furlongs in a morning-best 1:12.
Signature Move, another candidate for the April 5 Santa Anita Derby, also worked six furlongs at Hollywood in 1:12 as well, doing it handily for trainer Eric Guillot. The Santa Anita Derby, worth $750,000 is contested at 1 1/8 miles.
El Gato Malo and Signature Move’s works were the fastest of 14 drills at the distance, while Georgie Boy’s was the quickest of 53.
“He did it very easily, although another horse broke out in front of him, so that gave him an unexpected target,” trainer Craig Dollase said of El Gato Malo, the Sham Stakes (gr. III) runner-up. “It was a little quicker than I wanted, but he was very willing, so it worked out OK. We’re right on schedule.”
“He did it very well,” trainer Kathy Walsh said of Georgie Boy, winner of the San Felipe Stakes (gr. II). Dollase and Walsh said their horses would gallop into the race.
In another development, trainer Darrell Vienna said he plans to run Rosso Corsa in the Santa Anita Derby. A California-bred son of Ferrari, Rosso Corsa broke his maiden in a $100,000 claiming race at 1 1/16 miles last out on March 7 at Santa Anita. Richard Migliore has the mount.
Probable for the 71st Santa Anita Derby, which will be televised live on NBC from 2 to 3 p.m.: Coast Guard, Aaron Gryder; Colonel John, Corey Nakatani; El Gato Malo, David Flores; Georgie Boy, Kent Desormeaux; On the Virg, no rider; Polonius, Victor Espinoza; Rosso Corsa, Richard Migliore; Signature Move, Michael Baze; and Yankee Bravo, Alex Solis.
On March 29, San Rafael winner El Gato Malo had his final major work before the Santa Anita Derby.
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