Surfside to Run With Lasix Saturday

Surfside, who Sunday morning had her final workout for Saturday’s $1 million Santa Anita Derby, will be back on Lasix when she takes on the boys in the 62nd running.

The daughter of Seattle Slew, who went a half-mile in 47 2/5 for trainer Wayne Lukas, did not race with Lasix while winning the Santa Anita Oaks in less-than-impressive fashion last month.

“Dr. Robert Copeland [the veterinarian for owner Bill Young’s Overbrook Farm] wants her to [run on Lasix],” Lukas said. “She didn’t run on it last time because I took her off. He and I talked and he said he would be more comfortable if she ran on it this time. I defer to [Copeland’s] expertise. He’s a very good vet, so it’s a no-brainer. She didn’t bleed in her last race.”

Surfside, who has won seven of nine races and will be looking for her fifth Grade I victory on Saturday, worked well, according to Lukas, who has won the local Derby four times.

“It was good work,” he said. “It was textbook in that she went the first quarter in 24 [seconds] and came home in 23 2/5, with the last eighth of a mile in 11 2/5.”

Anees, third in his first start of the year in the San Felipe Stakes on March 19, also worked Sunday morning, completing six furlongs in 1:11 4/5, the best of 17 drills at the distance. Corey Nakatani, who will ride the son of Unbridled for the first time, was aboard.

“He worked exceptionally well,” said trainer Alex Hassinger, Jr. of Anees, whose claim to fame came with his 30-1 upset in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. “He galloped out seven furlongs in 1:25 3/5. He broke a few lengths behind [a workmate] and finished a few lengths in front.

“[Jockey] Corey [Nakatani] was very happy with it and the horse came back in good shape.”

Cocky, who probably will be the longest shot, worked six furlongs in 1:15 4/5 at Hollywood Park. The other probables are the unbeaten and probable favorite War Chant, Captain Steve and The Deputy.