Golden Eagle's Chief Planner Preps for Affirmed

Golden Eagle Farm's Snow Chief Stakes winner Chief Planner worked five furlongs in 1:00 3/5 handily over a fast main track at Santa Anita Friday. Regular rider Dana Barnes was in the irons for the move, which was sixth fastest of 24 who went five panels on the morning.

Chief Planner, a nearly black 3-year-old son of General Meeting, won the nine-furlong Snow Chief by seven lengths on April 26 in just his second start of the year.

"He was really impressive winning that race by that many in his first start around two turns," trainer Bob Baffert said. "He's a good horse. I really don't have any plans for him other than the Affirmed (gr. III, 1 1/16 mile on June 22). He'll stay here in California, though."

Chief Planner, a homebred son of General Meeting, finished third in last year's Hollywood Juvenile Championship (gr. III) and Del Mar Futurity (gr. II) and was also second to stablemate Kafwain in the Best Pal Stakes (gr. II). Overall he's earned $267,796 from a career line of 7-2-3-2.

Baffert said that General Challenge, also a California-bred son of General Meeting, will likely turn up in a two-turn allowance race at Hollywood Park within the next couple of weeks before returning to stakes company.

Under Barnes, the 7-year-old posted a bullet six furlongs in 1:11 3/5 handily at Santa Anita Friday, fastest of 15 moves at the distance.