Stable Notes

LOOKIN AT LUCKY COULD RUN IN SANTA ANITA DERBY

Bob Baffert advanced the chances of leading Kentucky Derby contender Lookin At Lucky running in the Santa Anita Derby Saturday morning, based on how the son of Smart Strike trains at his home base since his courageous and determined victory in the Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park last Saturday.

The Grade I, $750,000 Santa Anita Derby at 1 1/8 miles is April 3. Baffert’s other option is the Grade I, $1 million Arkansas Derby at 1 1/8 miles at Oaklawn Park on April 10.

HIGH COURT DRAMA ON DISPLAY IN MARATHON SAN LUIS REY

Michael Baze was disappointed when High Court Drama didn’t qualify for the Santa Anita Handicap on March 6. But the Las Vegas native, who turns 23 on April 14, hopes to make up for that letdown when he rides the son of 1987 male turf champion Theatrical in Saturday’s Grade II, $150,000 San Luis Rey Handicap at 1 1/2 miles on turf.

“He’s a nice horse and he’s been running good,” said Baze, who will move his tack to Arlington Park when the Santa Anita meet ends on April 18. “I think he’ll run a great race.

GALLAGHER TESTS TUSCAN EVENING IN SUNDAY’S SANTA ANA

Rivals of high weight Tuscan Evening face a daunting task trying to beat her in Sunday’s Grade II, $150,000 Santa Ana Handicap for older fillies and mares at 1 1/8 miles on turf.

TUSCAN EVENING TOTES 123 IN SUNDAY’S SANTA ANA HANDICAP

Tuscan Evening will attempt to carry 123 pounds to victory in Sunday’s Grade II, $150,000 Santa Ana Handicap for older fillies and mares at 1 1/8 miles on turf. If she does, it will be the most she’s ever won under in a career that will reach 24 races with the Santa Ana. The 5-year-old Irish-bred mare would be spotting her nearest rival six pounds.

“I would like to carry less, but we’ll go with what we’ve got,” said Jerry Hollendorfer, who trains Tuscan Evening for owner William de Burgh of Rancho Santa Fe.

ZENYATTA’S LEGEND GROWS ON DAY TO REMEMBER AT SANTA ANITA

“They’re here for one reason.”

So said one long-time racegoer Saturday, as he scanned the multitudes gathered throughout Santa Anita. The 20,315 who attended was twice that of a typical Saturday on-track crowd. Call it star power.

They were awaiting the return of Zenyatta, and she didn’t disappoint. She showed up as scheduled, and then some, winning her 15th straight race in customary last-to-first fashion.

BOREL TO RECEIVE SANTA ANITA’S GEORGE WOOLF AWARD SUNDAY

Following his ride on Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra in today’s New Orleans Ladies Stakes at the Fair Grounds with a scheduled 3:15 p.m. post time, two-time Kentucky Derby winning jockey Calvin Borel will head West to California where he will receive Santa Anita’s George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award in a winner’s circle ceremony following Sunday’s sixth race.

Presented annually by Santa Anita since 1950, Borel will become the 61st recipient of one of racing’s most coveted awards.

WAIT, NOT WEIGHT, IS OVER FOR ZENYATTA; 2010 DEBUT COMES SATURDAY

For Zenyatta, the wait is over—but not the weight. The imposing and imperturbable mare will carry top weight of 127 pounds Saturday when she makes her 2010 debut in the Grade I, $250,000 Santa Margarita Handicap, spotting eight who entered from 12 to 19 pounds in the nine-furlong race.

The undefeated 6-year-old mare, who has not started since making history by becoming the first female to defeat males in the Breeders’ Cup Classic last Nov.

ZENYATTA ARRIVES AT SANTA ANITA FOR 2010 DEBUT SATURDAY

Looking every inch the champion in grand repose, Zenyatta arrived at Santa Anita Thursday morning, her dark bay coat glistening in the bright Southern California sunshine as she disembarked from the van that brought her from Hollywood Park to zero in on her 2010 debut Saturday in the Grade I, $250,000 Santa Margarita Handicap.

The 6-year-old mare was bedded down in Barn 66, where trainer John Shirreffs has a string of horses at Santa Anita apart from his main base of operations at Hollywood Park.

ZENYATTA TO ARRIVE AT SANTA ANITA THURSDAY FOR 2010 DEBUT SATURDAY

The countdown to Zenyatta’s 2010 debut is on in earnest.

HRTV TO AIR 2010 DEBUTS OF RACHEL ALEXANDRA, ZENYATTA SATURDAY

HRTV will present a special one-hour live show Saturday featuring the 2010 debuts of 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra and unbeaten Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Zenyatta. Entitled “The Champions Return,” the show will be hosted by Scott Hazelton and Gary Stevens, who will be live at the Fair Grounds for Rachel Alexandra’s race, the $200,000 New Orleans Ladies’ Stakes at 1 1/16 miles. It will go as the 10th race at approximately 3:15 p.m.