She's Cheeky Faces Indian Blessing in Today's Desert Stormer Handicap

She's Cheeky schooling at Hollywood Park, 6/13/09.

She's Cheeky looked absolutely regal as she posed for a photo in the paddock at Hollywood Park, where she was schooling for trainer Peter Eurton in preparation for today's Desert Stormer Handicap.

She's obviously unconcerned about taking on Grade 1 stakes winner Indian Blessing in the 6-furlong event. After all, She's Cheeky ran a very creditable third, behind Ventura and Jibboom, in the Grade 1 Santa Monica Handicap in January. A 4-year-old daughter of Black Minnaloushe, She's Cheeky has never been worse than third in 10 career starts. Go Cheeky!

Indian Blessing Set for Golden Shaheen in Dubai

Indian Blessing at Santa Anita.

Indian Blessing arrived in Dubai on Tuesday, March 17, and worked Monday morning, March 23, in preparation for the $2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen at about 6 furlongs on the dirt. Indian Blessing was clocked Monday going a half mile in about :47.80, under the supervision of Jimmy Barnes, assistant trainer to Bob Baffert.

Barnes is overseeing training in Dubai, while Baffert remains closer to home for this weekend's Sunland Derby at Sunland Park in New Mexico, then the Santa Anita Derby on April 4th, in which his Kentucky Derby hopeful Pioneer of the Nile will be one of the favorites.

Indian Blessing Ready for Dubai

Champion filly Indian Blessing enjoyed a gallop over Santa Anita's synthetic surface on Tuesday and is set to take on the males in the $2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen on Mar. 28. The 4-year-old daughter of Indian Charlie has been working forwardly for trainer Bob Baffert.

In her last race, Indian Blessing captured the La Brea Stakes at Santa Anita on Dec. 27. Owned by her breeders, Hal and Patty Earnhardt, she has won five Grade 1 stakes, earned more than $2 million, and was voted Champion Two-Year-Old Filly of 2007 and Champion Female Sprinter in 2008.

Indian Blessing Returns from a Morning Gallop

The sun comes up over Santa Anita's Grandstand as Indian Blessing returns from her morning gallop. Southern California is experiencing unseasonable warm, spring weather, with the temperature during morning workouts already 55 degrees, going up to a predicted 85 degrees this afternoon.

Perhaps that's a good thing for Indian Blessing, who will be headed for Dubai. Trainer Bob Baffert quipped that he's training her later in the morning to get her used to the heat!

Zap! of the Week: Indian Blessing Gives an Interview

A look at Santa Anita, from morning workouts and schooling, to afternoon racing.

Some great footage from Larry Zap, including a very special interview with Indian Blessing and her rider. Includes a nice look at Pioneer of the Nile and a few others. Zap, as always, is an entertaining narrator. You're gonna love it!

Zap is known as "the eye" for being able to measure quality in thoroughbred racehorses, and is practically a fixture at Southern California tracks. He has a deep appreciation for quality horses, music, movies, live performance, and comedy. Zap co-hosts Race and Sports Radio every Saturday and Sunday at 9:00 AM (pst) on San Diego's XX Sports Radio (1090 AM) and online at XXSportsRadio.com .