Peachtree Stable's Lord Nelson (Pulpit) worked four furlongs in company Monday at Santa Anita in preparation for Saturday's GI Malibu S. The sophomore, working with stablemate and Northern Spur S. winner Wolf Man Rocket (Mineshaft), covered the distance in :46.60.
“It looks like he's ready to roll,” trainer Bob Baffert said after the work. “It's going to be a really tough race, but the Grade I races are never easy. He needs a lot of things to go his way. He needs a quick pace up front. He's been off for a while, but Grade I opportunities don't come along that often; he'll run well.”
Lord Nelson, winner of the GII San Vicente S. last February, has been off since running fourth in the May 2 GIII Pat Day Mile at Churchill Downs.
Baffert will also be represented on Santa Anita's opening-day card by Maybellene (Lookin at Lucky), who was entered in the GI La Brea S. Running in the colors of the trainer's wife, Natalie Baffert, Maybellene has been off since being promoted to victory in the Mar. 22 Sunland Park Oaks.
“She hasn't run in a long time, but there's been nowhere to run her,” Baffert said. “She's training well, but I think the post position draw will determine whether she starts. If she runs one-two-three, it'll be good.”
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