Pelirrojo Returns to Training for Sadler

Pelirrojo, who was considered an early Kentucky Derby (gr. I) contender last year before suffering a knee injury in his sixth-place finish in the San Rafael Stakes (gr. II) Mar. 2, made his first appearance on the Southern California work tab since then, posting a half-mile in :49, handily, at Santa Anita Friday.

The nearly white son of Flying Continental, who is trained by John Sadler, had been training for the past few months on a nearby farm.

"He put in a couple of three-eighths (works) on the farm and has only been back in the barn a few days," Sadler's assistant, Larry Benavidez, said. "We have no plans for him, but it's sure nice to have him back in the barn.

"He is definitely full of himself," Benavidez said, referring to the colt's raucous behavior while being led onto the track by a pony. "And that's a good sign."

Pelirrojo is still eligible for all of his conditions with a career line of 4-2-0-0 and earnings of $57,000.