Magnificience, who burst into prominence last year with a two-for-two record by a combined 11 1/2 lengths, worked five furlongs in :58.60 on the main track at Santa Anita for Bruce Headley March 24 .
The trainer is preparing the 4-year-old filly for a return to competition, probably early in the Hollywood Park meeting, which opens April 23.
“I want her double ready,” said Headley, who owns Magnificience in partnership with Tom Lenner, Irwin Molasky, and John Sikura.
The daughter of Stormy Atlantic —Fashion Delight, by Fappiano, impressed Southern California fans with a 6 1/2-length victory in her racing debut March 11, 2007, at Santa Anita. That win came after she broke well behind the field and appeared to have no chance in the 6 1/2-furlong event. She returned in last year's Santa Paula Stakes (gr. III), also at 6 1/2 furlongs, to win by five.
An injury to her left front leg sidelined Magnificience a couple of weeks later, and she has not raced since. Headley, known for taking his time with his runners, had her at his nearby lay-up facility for a while, and then turned her out in a pasture at Rancho Paseana near Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. She returned to Headley’s Santa Anita-based stable last fall.
Magnificience cost $120,000 at the 2005 Keeneland fall yearling sale. Headley said that she would likely make her first start in a stakes at Hollywood, “probably in the first book,” he said.