(Serengeti Empress easily won the G2 Pocahontas Stakes at Churchill Downs / 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. Bravazo, the 3YO son of Awesome Again who has not missed one dance all year and now is headed  to the Breeders’ Cup Classic (most assuredly) for trainer D. Wayne Lukas, was back in action this morning at Churchill Downs. The colt worked an easy half-mile in :49.60 — which was the 15th best time out of 33 to go the distance today. In 9 starts this year, Bravazo has come up with a 2-2-1 record and nearly $1 million in earnings. His last race, though, was disappointing. He ran an uninspired 7th in the G1 Pennsylvania Derby. He has throw a few clunkers in along the way before, though. And, don’t be shocked if he comes right back with a bigger effort. Stay tuned.
  2. Principe Guilherme, a 3YO Tapit colt trained by Steve Asmussen, showed very little with his return to the races in a tough allowance race at Churchill Downs on Sept. 14. He ran 7th and last that day, and was far, far behind the winner — Kowboy Karma. Had to be disappointing for the connections of this one — who started his career with two impressive wins and a second in the G3 Lecomte Stakes at the Fair Grounds in early January. He breezed this morning for the second time since that last race debacle. He went a half mile in :51.80 — which was 31st of 33. Interesting.
  3. Serengeti Empress, an amazing 2YO daughter of Alternation and trained by the talented Tom Amoss, is coming off a near 20-length victory in the G2 Pocahontas Stakes at Churchill Downs on Sept. 15. And, for my money, she is the best Juvenile Filly in the world — despite the impressive victory by Restless Rider in the G1 Alcibiades Stakes at Keeneland last weekend. Serengeti Empress was back in action this a.m., motoring an easy half-mile in :48.80. That was the 5th best time out of 33 to go the distance. We contacted trainer Tom Amoss, via text message this afternoon and asked about the filly. When asked if she went well and cooled out fine after the breeze, Amoss replied: “Yes.” When asked how many more breezes she will get prior to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies event, Amoss replied: “Two.” 
  4. Tiz Mischief, a 3YO son of Into Mischief and trained by Dale Romans, worked at Churchill Downs this morning, as well. The colt went 5 furlongs in 1:02 flat. That was the 14th fastest time out of 19 to go that far. This one has not run since finishing second in the G3 Matt Winn Stakes here on June 16. But today marked his 5th published work since the beginning of September, and he should be tightening up soon for a return to the races. And, when he is right? He can run.
  5. Title Ready, a 3YO son of More Than Ready and trained by Steve Asmussen, stretched his legs over at Keeneland this morning. The third-place finisher in the G3 Indiana Derby went 5 furlongs in a snappy 1:00.80. that was the 5th best time out of 10 to go that far. This one hasn’t run since finishing 6th in the G3 Smarty Jones at Parx on Aug. 25. But he should be about ready for a return to action soon.
  6. Chasing Yesterday, the 2YO half-sister to American Pharoah and daughter of Tapit, worked this morning at Santa Anita for trainer Bob Baffert. This filly — so impressive on debut at Del Mar this summer — went a half mile in :47.80, which was the 3rd fastest time out of 22 to go the distance. And, it was the exact same time that Deputy Bernardini — a 3YO colt from the Baffert barn — was timed in. And, he is no slouch either. He has 2 seconds in as many starts. Despite the fact that she blew a gasket in the G1 Spinaway in her second career start, this one looks to be headed right back to top action and the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies.
  7. Rayana, another talented 2YO filly in the barn of Baffert, went a half-mile today, as well. She was clocked in :48.60 — which was 9th of 22. This daughter of Scat Daddy won her only start to date, going a mile on the turf. She led from start to finish, and won by a comfortable length at the wire for jockey Drayden Van Dyke. Another to keep your eye and stopwatch on.