(Trainer Brad Cox may have a really talented one — again. This time in 2YO filly Covfefe / Photo Courtesy of Churchill Downs)

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. Covfefe, a super impressive debut winner at Churchill Downs on Sept. 16 for trainer Brad Cox, was back on the sloppy racetrack in Louisville early this morning. The 2YO Into Mischief filly breezed a half mile in an easy :49.60. That was the 7th best time out of 15 to go over the off going. This filly cost $250,000 at the 2017 Keeneland September Sale, when consigned by Gainesway Farm and purchased by Solis/Litt. This one is now owned by LNJ Foxwoods. In the career debut, she put up some impressive numbers, running off to a near 10 length-win. Don’t be surprised if this one is geared up again very soon and readied for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. Very impressive winner.
  2. Golden Mischief is a 4YO Into Mischief filly, also trained by Cox. She ripped off an impressive work on Tuesday, going a half-mile in a blistering :47.40. That was the bullet move of the day over the sloppy track, and the most eye-catching performance of the a.m. This one has won two Stakes events in a row, albeit at Mountaineer and Prairie Meadows. When she was last seen in Louisville, she ran fifth in the G3 Winning Colors, losing to Miss Kentucky at 6 furlongs over the fast dirt track. Worth watching this one crank it up again soon. Looks really good right now.
  3. Fluminense, a 2YO son of More Than Ready and trained by Steve Asmussen, worked this morning at Churchill Downs. This one has a win and two thirds in the career, with one of the show placings coming in the last out in the Soaring Free Stakes at Woodbine on Aug. 26. That was going about 6 furlongs over the turf track in Canada, and he had all kinds of trouble in that modest, six-horse field. At the top of the stretch, the chart caller described him as “blocked.” He went 5 furlongs today in 1:00.40. That was the bullet move of 14 to go the distance. Watch for this one to return soon. Nice.
  4. Tobacco Road, a 2YO son of Quality Road who stormed home from off the pace to win the Ellis Park Juvenile two races back, worked this morning for the Asmussen barn. This talented, late-runner is coming off a 4th place finish in the G3 Iroquois Stakes here in his last start, but he had some trouble, too, in that one. He stumbled at the start, and then was forced to go 6-wide at the top of the lane. Came running, but was no match for the winner — Cairo Cat — or his roommate — Tight Ten. Should improve as the distances get longer, though. Bears watching.
  5. Believe In Royalty, who seems to be getting better and better with every start for trainer J. Larry Jones, was back on the track this morning. The Tapit colt — who is out of the KY Oaks winning mare Believe You Can — went 5 furlongs in 1:02.20. that was 7th best of 14 to go that distance. This one is coming off a nice win in the Ellis Park Derby, and the runner-up in that one has already come back to win a super nice allowance event here this meet at Churchill. Appears to have learned how to rate and close now. If so? Beware.
  6. Marley’s Freedom, a 4YO filly by Blame and trained by Bob Baffert, worked at Santa Anita this morning. The filly — who has a 6-2 record in 12 starts, but has 4 wins in 6 outings this year — went a nice half mile in :48.20. that was the 6th best time out of 32 to go the distance. Will be interesting to see how Baffert races this one up to the great Fall campaign. She has now won four in a row, including three straight Graded Stakes events. the last one was the G1 Ketel One Ballerina Stakes at Saratoga. Breeders’ Cup bound.
  7. West Coast, another star in the barn of Baffert, worked at Santa Anita this morning, as well. The 4YO Flatter colt, who has two seconds in his only two starts this year, went a half-mile in :48 flat. That was the bullet move of the day. Word has it that the HOF trainer will enter him to run this Saturday in preparation for the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Today’s move marked his sixth published work since Aug. 28. Each has gotten progressively better in appearance. Ready?