By Jessica Martini
Cezanne (Curlin), who topped the 2019 Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream Sale when bringing a final bid of $3.65 million from M.V. Magnier, is training steadily for his return to the races, most recently working five furlongs in 1:00.00 (4/21) Thursday at Santa Anita for trainer Bob Baffert.
“He's doing well,” Baffert reported following the work Thursday. “We just freshened him up.”
Racing for Susan Magnier, Derrick Smith, and Michael Tabor, as well as co-breeder St. Elias Stable, Cezanne opened his career with a 2 1/4-length victory going 6 1/2 furlongs last June at Santa Anita. He followed up with a one-mile allowance victory at Los Alamitos in July, but suffered his first loss when fourth behind Thousand Words (Pioneerof the Nile) in the Aug. 1 Shared Belief S. at Del Mar.
Thursday's work was Cezanne's third of the month. The 4-year-old worked a bullet five furlongs from the gate in 1:00.00 (1/29) at Santa Anita Mar. 3 and went five furlongs in :59.80 (2/19) Mar. 9.
While no specific spot has been picked out for the colt's return, Baffert said, “He's getting close to a race soon.”
Cezanne worked a furlong in :10 flat before his sale-topping turn at the Gulfstream sale two years ago. Bred by Hill 'n' Dale Equine Holdings and St. Elias Stables, he is out of Achieving (Bernardini), a half-sister to Grade I winner Streaming (Smart Strike). His third dam is blue hen mare Better Than Honour (Deputy Minister).
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