By Ben Massam
Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin's trio of sophomore 'TDN Rising Stars' by Bernardini each registered four-furlong works Friday morning ahead of stakes appearances on opening day of the Santa Anita meet Dec. 26. Undefeated Marking covered the distance in :47.40 [2/35] and once-beaten Watershed stopped the clock in :47.60 [5/35] in preparation for the GI Malibu S., while GI Longines Test. S. heroine Cavorting posted a :48 flat [10/35] move for a start in the GI La Brea S.
McLaughlin said that his runners have adjusted to their new surroundings well since arriving last Sunday, and will train up to the seven-furlong races with no additional timed workouts.
“All three arrived on the 13th to California and galloped until [Friday] morning and worked their last half-mile before the races,” explained McLaughlin. “They all worked great, 47 [and change] on the colts and 48 flat on Cavorting.”
In addition to the races being logical spots for 3-year-olds at the end of the year, McLaughlin said the climate in Southern California suits his trainees well, giving them a break from the humidity of South Florida.
“They're enjoying the cool weather out there,” the trainer noted. “They're eating well and training well.”
Godolphin's Marking easily captured his first two career starts–including a victory in a one-mile allowance test at Aqueduct Nov. 4–and was most recently scratched out of the GI Cigar Mile H. Nov. 28 in favor of the Malibu. Stablemate Watershed ran fourth in the GI NYRA.com King's Bishop S. at Saratoga and was last seen rallying from last to score comfortably in an Oct. 15 allowance test at Keeneland. Meanwhile, Stonestreet Stables' Cavorting enjoyed a stellar summer with triumphs in the Test and GII Prioress S. before checking in fourth in the GI TwinSpires Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint Oct. 31.
“The riders that rode them last time will stay with them,” added McLaughlin. “Marking [will be paired] with Jose Lezcano, Watershed with Joel Rosario and Cavorting with Irad Ortiz.”
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