Ax Man could return to graded stakes action following his sharp allowance victory Friday at Santa Anita. Ax Man led gate to wire, winning the seven-furlong sprint by one and one-quarter lengths in 1:21.92 and earning a 97 Beyer. Bob Baffert trains the 4-for-8 gelding, who was ridden by Drayden Van Dyke. The timing of Ax Man's return-to-form victory, his second start since he was gelded, could set up Ax Man for the Grade 2 San Carlos Stakes. That $200,000 seven-furlong race will be run on March 9.