Dortmund out of San Pasqual following work

Dual Grade 1 winner Dortmund was removed from consideration for Saturday’s $200,000 San Pasqual S. (G2) at Santa Anita Park following a seven-furlong breeze Sunday over that track in 1:25.80.

The time equaled that of Harry F. Brubaker S. victor Point Piper, also San Pasqual-bound for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer. Only five horses worked at the seven-furlong distance Sunday.

“I missed a little time with him after that second quarter crack and he didn’t really finish the way I like to see him finish,” Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert said of Dortmund after his drill under Martin Garcia following the second renovation break at 7:45 a.m. (PT).

“I wanted to see him finish up a little better than he did. Our goal for him is the Big Cap ($1 million Santa Anita H. [G1] at 1 1/4 miles on March 12).”

Dortmund could ready for the Big 'Cap in the $500,000 San Antonio S. (G2) on February 6 at Santa Anita.

Baffert added that last year’s San Pasqual winner, Hoppertunity, was still “possible” for the 1 1/16-mile contest. The five-year-old bay, who turned seven furlongs on Saturday at Santa Anita in 1:25.20, hasn’t visited the winner’s circle in eight starts since the 2015 San Pasqual though he has been out of the top three only twice.

Also working Sunday for the San Pasqual in advance of rain forecast to start Sunday night was Imperative for trainer Richard Baltas. The six-year-old gelding clocked a half-mile in :48 to rank number 20 of 113 workers at that distance on the day.

“I got him in 24 flat the last quarter, just breezing,” Baltas said. “He galloped out real strong, so he looks good. He’s ready to go.”

After a stylish six furlong workout in 1:10.04 before Saturday’s 1ST race at Santa Anita, California Chrome was at the ready Sunday for his first race in nine months come this Saturday in the San Pasqual.

All was calm with the Horse of the Year, who had his customary day-after-workout walk under the shed row on Sunday.

Private clocker Gary Young was among those impressed with Chrome’s work.

“He was cruising,” Young said. “He went in 1:10, he didn’t seem to be asked and Victor (Espinoza) was just sitting on him. It was an unbelievable work.”

Dortmund photo courtesy of Benoit Photos