By Bloodhorse.com
ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 27, 2016) — California-bred Smokey Image and Danzing Candy put on an unintentional preview of the March 12 San Felipe (gr. II) during their morning workouts Feb. 27 at Santa Anita Park.
In the last workout session of the day, the two Triple Crown hopefuls found each other. Danzing Candy, with Mike Smith aboard, and workmate Radio Silent broke first, but Smokey Image and Victor Espinoza were right behind.
A little rank early and four lengths back, not overjoyed with the dirt in his face, Smokey Image moved three wide alongside the Cliff Sise-trained pair through most of the turn but settled in the stretch and cruised to hit the wire in 1:12 1/5, about two lengths behind Danzing Candy. The time was tied for the fastest drill at the distance, among 30 workers at six furlongs Saturday morning. Cautious Giant also worked 1:12 1/5.
“Do you believe we did that again?” trainer Carla Gaines said to Espinoza after the work, referencing the Southern Image colt’s penchant for finding trouble in the mornings.