Stable Notes

CONDITIONS SUIT DANCING IN SILKS FOR SATURDAY’S SAN CARLOS

Dancing in Silks had two disadvantages when he made his 2010 debut in the Grade II Palos Verdes Handicap on Jan.

FLORES, BOB BLACK JACK TOGETHER AGAIN FOR SAN CARLOS HANDICAP

David Flores is excited about reuniting with Bob Black Jack for Saturday’s Grade II, $150,000 San Carlos Handicap for older horses at seven furlongs. The last time the veteran jockey teamed up with the speedy son of Stormy Jack, they won the Grade I Malibu Stakes at seven furlongs back on Dec. 26, 2008.

Ailments have sidelined Bob Black Jack since, but the 5-year-old horse has been working forwardly at Hollywood Park for trainer James Kasparoff.

“Kasparoff is doing a great job with him,” Flores said.

SANTA MARIA WINNER ST TRINIANS TO TACKLE BOYS IN GR. I SANTA ANITA HANDICAP

St Trinians, an impressive 1 ¾ lengths winner of Saturday’s Gr. II Santa Maria Handicap, will not face champion Zenyatta, as originally planned, in the Gr. I, $250,000 Santa Margarita Handicap on March 13, and will instead take on the boys in the Gr. I, $750,000 Santa Anita Handicap on March 6.

CARACORTADO VS. LOOKIN AT LUCKY IN SAN FELIPE STAKES?

It could be David versus Goliath come March 13. That’s when undefeated and unsung Caracortado could square off against Kentucky Derby Future Book favorite Lookin At Lucky in the Grade II, $150,000 San Felipe Stakes at 1 1/16 miles.

Caracortado (it means scarface in Spanish) won his fifth straight race Saturday, posting a one-and-three-quarter length triumph in the Grade II Robert B. Lewis Stakes under regular rider Paul Atkinson.

TUSCAN EVENING READY FOR BEST IN MONDAY’S BUENA VISTA

In 11 starts in the United States, Tuscan Evening has been out of the money only once against mostly graded competition. As if her consistency weren’t enough, the 5-year-old Irish-bred mare reportedly is ready for her best in Monday’s Grade II, $150,000 Buena Vista Handicap at one mile on turf.

“She’s coming up to this better than any race,” said Dan Ward, assistant to trainer Jerry Hollendorfer. “She’s training really good, she’s very sound and very happy. She fires every time and a mile is the perfect distance for her.

ZENYATTA EYES MARCH 13 SANTA MARGARITA PRIOR TO ‘RACHEL’ SHOWDOWN

Zenyatta is scheduled to make her 2010 debut in the Grade I Santa Margarita Handicap at Santa Anita on March 13 prior to a potential showdown with Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra in the Apple Blossom Handicap, now that the race has been moved from April 3 to April 9 to accommodate Rachel Alexandra’s schedule.

“We’re very comfortable with the new date and hope the race between the two takes place,” said Dottie Ingordo-Shirreffs Friday.

ST TRINIANS FACES GRADE II CHALLENGE IN SANTA MARIA

St Trinians is perfect in three United States starts, but the 5-year-old English-bred mare faces her sternest test Saturday in the Grade II, $150,000 Santa Maria Handicap for older fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles.

St Trinians, a daughter of Piccolo trained by Mike Mitchell, has climbed the class ladder in the U.S., winning an optional claiming race, an allowance race and the restricted Paseana Handicap by a combined margin of nearly 15 lengths.

TEAM ZENYATTA EYES RETURN OF THE CHAMPION

“Reunited and it feels so good.” The chorus of the 1979 hit by Peaches and Herb is an appropriate theme for Mike Smith these days, since the Hall of Fame jockey will soon get together again with the best horse he’s ever ridden, undefeated Breeders’ Cup Classic champion Zenyatta.

The 6-year-old mare owned by Jerry and Ann Moss and trained by John Shirreffs was retired after she made history by defeating males with a breathtaking last-to-first victory in the Classic at Oak Tree last Nov.

HORSEMEN ADJUST TO HAYMAKER FROM WEATHERMAN

Despite heavy rain that forced cancellation of Saturday’s stakes-laden card, horsemen made whatever adjustments were necessary and moved forward towards next Saturday, when the Grade I Las Virgenes Stakes, the Grade II Robert B. Lewis Stakes and the Grade II Strub Stakes have been rescheduled.

“Blind Luck will have an easy work Tuesday,” said Jerry Hollendorfer assistant Dan Ward of the Eclipse Award finalist for champion 2-year-old filly of 2009, a prohibitive favorite for the Las Virgenes. “She’s very smart.

COLTS OR SAINTS: SUPER BOWL PICKS APLENTY AT SANTA ANITA

There is no shortage of opinions at the race track, no matter the sport. With Super Bowl 44 set for Sunday in Miami between the Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints, horsemen at Santa Anita were at the ready with their thoughts on which team would win the big game, as the following random sampling attests:

Barry Abrams: Indianapolis. They have the experience. They’ve been there.

Ron Anderson: Under the total (of 56).