Santa Anita news: Paradise Woods a go for the Santa Maria

On track astride a pony with one hand holding onto the reins, John Shirreffs gave a thumbs up with the other when asked about Paradise Woods for this Saturday’s Santa Maria Stakes (G2) for fillies and mares three and older at 1 1/16 miles.

A recent winner of the Santa Margarita Stakes (G2) by 10 ½ lengths under Mike Smith, the two-time Grade 1 winner worked five furlongs two days ago in a bullet 59.40 for the Santa Maria with Smith in the saddle.

It was the fastest of 57 drills at the distance, the average time of which 1:02.04.

Paradise Woods, a 5-year-old Kentucky-bred mare by Union Rags, is unbeaten in two starts going 1 1/16 miles at Santa Anita, having won the Santa Anita Oaks (G1) by nearly 12 lengths on April 8, 2017, and the Zenyatta (G1) by 5 ¼ lengths on Sept. 30, 2017.

With a bankroll of $945,890 already accumulated and $120,000 awaiting the winner of the Santa Maria, Paradise Woods would achieve millionaire status with a victory.

FLORES AT SANTA ANITA FOR FASIG-TIPTON SALE

David Flores, a former top rider in California, is on hand at Santa Anita for its first ever Fasig-Tipton Two-Year-Old in training sale that takes place June 5.

It will start at 1 p.m. in Santa Anita’s Seabiscuit Walking Ring. Vehicular access to the sales barns is best served by entering Santa Anita’s Gate 5 on its northeastern perimeter. For additional information, visit fasigtipton.com or call 626 574-RACE.

Looking riding fit, the 51-year-old Flores now operates out of the Classic Mile Park in Ocala, training horses and breaking babies at the Florida facility.

“I feel great and it’s good to be here with old friends,” said Flores, a native of Tijuana. 

His major stakes wins in a career that began in 1984 were highlighted by Breeders’ Cup victories aboard Tempera (2001 Juvenile Fillies), Action This Day (2003 Juvenile) and Singletary (2004 Mile).

FINISH LINES: The John Sadler-trained Gift Box will try to become the 10th horse to win the Santa Anita Handicap and Gold Cup in the same year by taking Monday's Gold Cup at Santa Anita (G1). The feat has been accomplished 10 times, dating back to Kayak II in 1939.  Lava Man did it twice, in 2006 and 2007.

Gregorian Chant worked five furlongs on the training track this morning in 1:02.20 under Flavien Prat for Sunday’s $150,000 Cinema Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on turf. Unbeaten in his two starts, one in Ireland the other at Santa Anita, the English-bred gray is trained by Phil D’Amato, who will give Prat a leg up in the Cinema.

Graded stakes winners Caribou Club and McKinzie both recorded bullet works, the former going five furlongs in 58.60 for Tom Proctor and the latter six furlongs in 1:11.80 for Bob Baffert