Baffert Quartet, Journalism Hit Santa Anita Work Tab

Cherokee Nation returned to the work tab March 14, 15 days after posting a 103 Equibase Speed Figure in a scintillating maiden win at Santa Anita Park. Joining Cherokee Nation on the work tab for trainer Bob Baffert were fellow 3-year-old Desert Gate and the older horses Imagination and Cornucopian. Also on the tab was multiple grade 1 winner Journalism. Cherokee Nation worked an easy 3 furlongs in :38 1/5. In his maiden victory going 1 mile, Cherokee Nation aired by 10 lengths while stopping the clock in 1:34.50. The colt by Not This Time is slated to make his next start in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) going 1 1/8 miles April 4. Desert Gate worked 5 furlongs in :59 1/5. By Omaha Beach, Desert Gate finished fourth in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3) Feb. 7 following a four-month layoff. He is also a candidate for the Santa Anita Derby. Imagination worked for the first time since winning the Riyadh Dirt Sprint (G2) in Saudi Arabia. The 5-year-old Into Mischief horse was timed going 3 furlongs in :37 3/5. Cornucopian worked 6 furlongs in 1:13 1/5. A 4-year-old Into Mischief colt, Cornucopian returned from a nine-month layoff Jan. 31 and was a dazzling 3-length winner while overcoming trouble in a 6 1/2-furlong allowance optional claimer at Santa Anita. Journalism drilled 5 furlongs in 1:01 for trainer Michael McCarthy. It was Journalism's fourth work on the comeback trail. A 4-year-old Curlin colt, Journalism hasn't started since finishing fourth in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) Nov. 1. His splendid campaign last year included wins in the Preakness Stakes (G1), Haskell Stakes (G1), and Santa Anita Derby, plus runner-up finishes in the Kentucky Derby (G1), Belmont Stakes (G1), and Pacific Classic Stakes (G1). Also working for McCarthy was Meaning, winner of the Las Virgenes Stakes when making her 3-year-old debut Feb. 8. She was clocked going 5 furlongs in 1:00 4/5. By Gun Runner, Meaning is ticketed for the Santa Anita Oaks (G2) April 4. Also on the tab were grade 1 winners Gold Phoenix (IRE) (5 furlongs on the all-weather in 1:00 2/5) and Full Serrano (ARG) (5 furlongs, :59 3/5) as well as top California-bred mare Grand Slam Smile (4 furlongs, :51).