(Trainer Ken McPeek conditions Signalman / Photo Courtesy of Keeneland)

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. Axelrod, a contender for this year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic and trained by Michael McCarthy, worked this morning at Churchill Downs. The 3YO Warrior’s Reward colt has been on a bit of a tear this summer, after a rather quiet Spring. After missing all the build-up to the Triple Crown, this one ran 2nd in the G3 Affirmed Stakes in June; won the G3 Indiana Derby in July; won the G3 Smarty Jones Stakes in August; and then ran a huge second to McKinzie in the G1 Pennsylvania Derby in September. Now? I would include him next Saturday. Today, he breezed a nice half mile in :48.40. That was the 4th best time out of 24 to go the distance. Keep an eye on this sucker. He’s gotten good. Sneaky good.
  2. Signalman, a 2YO son of General Quarters and a contender for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, worked this morning at Churchill Downs, as well. This one, coming off a 2nd in the Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland on Oct. 6, went a half mile in a blistering :47.60 this a.m. That was bullet move at the distance. In 3 career starts now, he has a win and 2 seconds. Not a throw out. My any stretch.
  3. Reflect, a 2YO daughter of Trappe Shot who rallied to be second in the Alcibiades Stakes at Keeneland in her last out, worked for trainer J. Keith Desormeaux at Churchill Downs this morning. The filly banged out 5 furlongs in 1:00 flat — which was 3rd best time out of 16 to go that far. This one figures to be better at two turns, and she looks to be getting good at a good time, too.
  4. Royal Artillery, a 5YO War Front horse formerly trained by John Gosden, worked over the all-weather surface at Keeneland this morning. This one has not raced since May of 2017. But in the first 7 starts of his career, he has 2 wins and a third. One of those wins came in the Group 3 Lancaster Stakes at Haydock Park. He went 5 furlongs this morning in 1:01.60 in the only move over the surface at this distance. Since September, he now has now recorded 9 published works in this country. Should be about ready for a try soon.