Strong El Encino Drill for Blind Luck

One day after being named a finalist for champion 3-year-old filly of 2010, Blind Luck moved a step closer to her 2011 debut by working a sharp seven furlongs at Santa Anita on Friday morning. What was more impressive, though, was the gallop out. The relentless mighty mite went out another seven furlongs, coming around to the furlong pole, before finally stopping.

"We think we have her ready. She should be plenty fit now," Jerry Hollendorfer, her trainer and co-owner, said in what, seven days into the year, ranks as the understatement of 2011.

Blind Luck, last year's Kentucky Oaks winner, is set to race next Sunday in the Grade 2, $150,000 El Encino Stakes for 4-year-old fillies at 1 1/16 miles on the main track. It will be her first start since finishing second in the Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic two months ago. On Friday, Blind Luck was timed in 1:25.20 for seven furlongs with exercise rider Marco Ramirez. Hollendorfer had her final furlong in less than 12 seconds, and he had her going out a mile, to the seven-eighths pole, in 1:39.