Zedan Racing Stables, Inc.'s Medina Spirit (Protonico) breezed a half in :48 flat (13/64) Sunday morning at Santa Anita as he readies to represent trainer Bob Baffert in Saturday's GI Runhappy Santa Anita Derby. The GIII Robert B. Lewis S. winner has twice finished second to unbeaten stablemate Life Is Good (Into Mischief), who was also pointing for the Santa Anita Derby before being sidelined with an ankle chip.
“He went very nice [under jockey Juan Ochoa],” Baffert said. “I also worked [GII Rebel S. runner-up] Hozier (Pioneerof the Nile, 5f, 1:00.80, 26/76); [GISW and Saudi Cup runner-up] Charlatan (Speightstown, 4f, :48 flat, 13/64); and [defending champion female sprinter] Gamine (Into Mischief, 5f, 59.60, 3/76).”
'TDN Rising Star' Life Is Good, meanwhile, underwent surgery by Dr. Larry Bramlage at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital on Friday to remove the chip.
“The surgery went well,” Baffert said. “I received great reports on it. It was minor, so that was good and he should be back a lot sooner than we thought he would.”
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