Practical Move breaking his maiden at Santa Anita on Oct. 10, 2022. (Benoit Photo)
Grade III Las Virgenes Adds Intrigue To Next Saturday’s Card
Mike Willman/Santa Anita Press Box
ARCADIA, Calic.—Five weeks after his upset win in the Grade II Los Alamitos Futurity, Practical Move got back to work on Saturday when drilling four furlongs in 47.80 seconds for trainer Tim Yakteen.
Practical Move collected 10 qualifying points towards this year’s Kentucky Derby when drawing off to win the Futurity by 3 ¼ lengths over a trio of colts trained by Bob Baffert among others. Yakteen said Practical Move “worked well” on Saturday and he should be ready for his sophomore bow in late February. That could lead to a start in the $400,000 Grade II San Felipe at 1 1/16 miles on March 4, which is the final major prep for the $750,000, Grade I Santa Anita Derby five weeks later.
“Well give him a few more works and see where we’re at, but we’re looking at sometime in late February or early March. We have a few options,” Yakteen said, indicating there’s a possibility Practical Move could ship out of town for his 3-year-old bow.
From the first crop of multiple Grade I winner Practical Joke, Practical Move was a $230,00 auction purchase at last year’s OBS April 2-year-olds in training sale. He is campaigned by Roger K. Beasley, Leslie A. Amestoy and Jean Pierre Amestory Jr.
Practical Move broke his maiden at Santa Anita last October when making his third start and came back to finish third in the Grade III Bob Hope going seven furlongs at Del Mar on Nov. 20. In the 1 1/16 miles Futurity, Practical Move stalked the pace under Ramon Vazquez before launching an inside bid and kicking clear of runner-up Caramel Road.
Yakteen, who got his first taste of the Kentucky Derby as a trainer last year, hopes to make a return trip this year with Practical Move.
“Anytime you have a nice 3-year-old in the barn it’s always exciting,” he said.
Grade III Las Virgenes Adds Intrigue To Next Saturday’s Card
The stakes action picks up considerably next week at Santa Anita with four graded stakes on the calendar including both the Grade III Las Virgenes and Grade II San Pasqual on Saturday.
The Grade III Las Virgenes, a steppingstone to the Grade II Santa Anita Oaks on April 1, is shaping up as an intriguing matchup between several well-regarded 3-year-old fillies. Among those expected to run in the one-mile heat are Faiza and Pride of the Nile, the one-two finishers in last month’s Grade I Starlet at Los Alamitos; and stakes-winner Justique, who had to be scratched from the Grade III Santa Ynez on Jan. 1 following a brief illness. Justique has since worked three times for trainer John Shirreffs and looks to be all systems go.
It remains to be determined if the winner of the Santa Ynez, Ice Dancing, wheels back for the Las Virgenes. The daughter of Frosted on Saturday had her first work since the Santa Ynez when drilling a half mile for Richard Mandella. The Hall of Fame trainer also has nominated Coffee in Bed, an impressive debut winner on Jan. 6. On Sunday, Mandella said he was undecided on whether one or both will run in the Las Virgenes.
“It’s a little close (between races) for both of them, but I’m thinking about it,” he said.
FINISH LINES
There is a $116,232 carryover for Saturday’s Rainbow Pick 6. It is a 20-cent minimum wager…
Eclipse Award-winning apprentice Jockey Kazushi Kimura is now represented by agent Brandon O’Bryan. Kimura, leading rider this past season at Woodbine, won his first race at Santa Anita Sunday aboard Kirstenbosch in the Grade III La Canada for John Sadler…
The Chosen Vron returned to work Sunday following his victory in the California Cup Sprint, his ninth win in 13 starts for trainer Eric Kruljac…
There is a $149,361 carryover for Sunday’s Rainbow Pick 6. It is a 20-cent minimum wager…Bugler Jay Cohen advises he’s hoping to return to action at Santa Anita on Friday after being sidelined with an illness…
Favorites have won at 29.4 percent clip during the Classic Meet…
Every Friday during the Classic Meet on-track patrons will receive free admission, free parking and drink specials that include $3 beers and $5 margaritas.
