Trainer William "Buff" Bradley

Gene McLean talks with Buff Bradley, who conditions the talented 2YO filly Somewhere

Every day, we scour the work tabs at racetracks all over the country.  We are looking for workouts that may be of interest and helpful to you — as both race fans and handicappers.  Some of the horses we will be tracking, you will know.  Some of them, you may not know — as of yet.  We will keep a keen eye and stopwatch to see who may be working well:

  1. Derby Date, a 2YO son of Will Take Charge and trained by D. Wayne Lukas, worked this morning at Churchill Downs. This May foal is still a maiden, but he did run an impressive second in his second career start at Saratoga on Aug. 11. And, if you know “The Coach,” that is impressive, since his horses normally take their time before rounding into racing shape. He ran 8th in the G1 Hopeful in career start #3, but he had a real excuse in that one. He stumbled horribly at the start, and never truly had a chance to even get in the race. Today, the colt breezed a half-mile in :50.80, which was the 27th best time out of 32 to go the distance. The week before, though, he blistered a half in :47.40, which was the bullet move. He’s ready.
  2. Somewhere, an ultra-talented Quality Road filly trained by Buff Bradley, worked this morning at Churchill Downs, as well. She went 5 furlongs in 1:00.80 — which was the 7th best time out of 28 to go that far. In her first four starts, she has posted two wins — including a triumph in an allowance event at Indy Grand on Sept. 7. This one can run, and it will be interesting to see where she lands in the immediate future. Maybe a Stakes event that can set her up for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile?
  3. Tap Gun, a Tapit filly trained by Tom Amoss for Mandy Pope’s Whisper Hill Farm, worked this morning under the Twin Spires. This one — who cost $1.4 million at the 2016 Keeneland September Yearling Sale — went 5 furlongs in 1:01.20. That was the 8th best time out of 28 to go. Tap Gun won her last time out over the all-weather surface at Arlington Park in just her third career start. Will be interesting to watch this one progress. The pedigree is sure there.
  4. Game Winner, who now has suddenly bolted to the top of the 2YO class after the defection of both Instagrand and Roadster on the West Coast, breezed for trainer Bob Baffert on Tuesday at Santa Anita. The Candy Ride colt, who just won the Del Mar Futurity in impressive fashion to run his record to a perfect 2-for-2, went 5 furlongs in a brisk :58.80. That was the bullet move out of 32 to go that distance. Wow performance. Looks like he is getting better.
  5. Much Better, another promising 2YO in the Baffert barn, worked at “The Great Race Place” on Tuesday. The son of Pioneerof the Nile went 5 furlongs in :59 flat. On most days, that time would have earned praise, glory and a bullet. On Tuesday, it was second best. This one is a perfect 1-for-1 and should be ready for a race real soon. Worth watching his progression. Should get better with the longer distances. For sure.