Officer Impressive in 3-Year-Old Debut

After doing what he was supposed to do in the $106,800 Zany Tactics Stakes Sunday at Santa Anita, Officer may be headed to the Lexington Stakes on April 20 at Keeneland.

Making his first start since finishing third in the Hollywood Futurity Dec. 15, the 3-10 favorite beat up on a field of California-breds, winning by six lengths in 1:15 3/5 for the 61/2 furlongs.

Owned by Prince Ahmed Salman’s Thoroughbred Corporation and trained by Bob Baffert, Officer has won all five of his races at seven furlongs or less. It is when he is sent around two turns that he has struggled. He has won only one of four races at 11/16 miles, and that is the distance of the Lexington.

“So far, so good,” said jockey Victor Espinoza, who has been aboard in all six of the colt’s victories. “It looks like he’s coming back as the same horse he was last summer.”

In the $108,500 Las Cienegas Handicap, Rolly Polly, the 2-1 favorite, collared 3-1 second choice Penny Marie approaching the wire to win.