Blind Luck leads Hollendorfer work brigade

Last updated: 1/3/10 5:15 PM

Blind Luck turned the Starlet into a rout
(Benoit Photo)

Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer sent out a squadron of stakes performers
for works over the Pro-Ride at Santa Anita on Sunday. Chief among them
was multiple Grade 1 star BLIND LUCK (Pollard’s Vision), who traveled a
half-mile in :50 with jockey Rafael Bejarano aboard.

“She was really, really good the last quarter,” assistant trainer Dan
Ward said following the filly’s 6:20 a.m. (PST) exercise.

Successful in the Oak Leaf S. (G1) in October and most recently an
impressive seven-length romper in the December 20 Hollywood Starlet S.
(G1), Blind Luck figures to be named an Eclipse Award finalist on Wednesday
for champion two-year-old filly of 2009. The chestnut also finished
second in the Darley Debutante S. (G1) and third in the Breeders’ Cup
Juvenile Fillies (G1).

Blind Luck is expected to make her three-year-old debut in the Las Virgenes
S. (G1) at one mile on February 6.

Bejarano also guided Del Mar Derby (G2) victor RENDEZVOUS (Victory Gallop)
through his seven-furlong drill in 1:26 4/5 and Grade 3 winner CHOCOLATE CANDY
(Candy Ride [Arg]) through five panels in 1:00.

“Rendezvous really finished good,” Ward said.

Last seen finishing eighth in the Oak Tree Derby (G2), Rendezvous could
switch to the main track for the January 16 San Fernando S. (G2). Chocolate
Candy is coming off an eighth in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1).

With Joel Rosario in the irons, undefeated stakes queen SHE’S FUNOMENAL
(Fusaichi Pegasus) took a half-mile spin in :49 4/5. The sophomore is
two-for-two so far, having captured the Ifyoucouldseemenow S. after her stylish
maiden score, and will put her record on the line in the January 16 Santa Ynez
S. (G2).

Stakes winner DAKOTA PHONE (Zavata), prepping for Saturday’s San
Pasqual H. (G2), negotiated seven furlongs in 1:28 4/5.

Multiple stakes victress YOU LIFT ME UP (Lord Carson), third in the
California Cup Distance H. two back, earned the bullet by blitzing in 1:26.

Grade 2 veteran UNION AVENUE (Gone West) zipped three panels in :35
2/5 in advance of his first start since June.