Poetic in blinkers for 3-year-old bow

ARCADIA, Calif. – Poetic earned an unscheduled vacation after a sixth-place finish in the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante last September. She was the 3-1 third choice in a field of seven and finished eight lengths behind the winner, Moonshine Memories, in her final start as a 2-year-old.

Poetic resumed workouts in late November. Aside from a month-long gap from late December to late January, Poetic has worked steadily for her return in Thursday’s second race at Santa Anita, a seven-furlong allowance with a $75,000 claiming option.

Poetic is part of a field of five that includes two maiden winners trained by Bob Baffert – Cognitive and Emboldened; First Dudette, a recent arrival from Florida; and Fracas, who has been claimed in her last two starts.

KEY CONTENDERS

Poetic, by Violence Beyers: 77-66

◗ Owned by Rick Porter, Poetic will race with blinkers for the first time Thursday in her third start. She won a maiden race at 5 1/2 furlongs in her debut at Del Mar last July.

◗ Mike Smith has the mount on Poetic, who runs from off the pace.

“I hope she runs like she did when I [first] started her,” trainer Richard Mandella said.

◗ Mandella did not go into detail regarding the reason for Poetic’s absence last fall, other than to say “It was nothing serious.” Cognitive, by Uncle Mo Beyer: 76

◗ Cognitive won her debut in a maiden race at 5 1/2 furlongs on Jan. 26, closing from fourth in a field of nine to win by a half-length as the 6-5 favorite. She has since worked quickly, including five furlongs in 59.40 seconds on Feb. 17.

“I was sort of surprised she won her first out, especially the way she did it, coming from off the pace,” Baffert said. “I’m glad we got a race into her. She’s come back and worked well. It’s a good spot.”

Emboldened, by Elusive Quality Beyers: 79-77

◗ Emboldened won her debut as a heavy favorite in a maiden race at six furlongs on Jan. 5, but was third, beaten five lengths, in an optional claimer at 6 1/2 furlongs on Feb. 9. Baffert shouldered the blame for the loss, saying he should have trained Emboldened more aggressively between races.

“I think she’ll run much better,” he said. “I didn’t do enough with her last time.”

First Dudette, by First Dude Last 3 Beyers: 60-64-64

◗ First Dudette was first or second in three starts at Gulfstream Park West and Tampa Bay Downs for trainer Gerald Bennett from late October to early January. She was bought privately last month by a partnership and sent to trainer Brian Koriner.

“She’s been working okay, nothing spectacular,” Koriner said. “We’ll find out a lot about her. It’s tough when you hook two Baffert monsters. It makes it tough.”