(Mark Hennig trains Bourbon War / Photo Courtesy of NYRA)

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. Bourbon War, a 3YO trained by Mark Hennig, is one of my top picks for this year’s Kentucky Derby — even though he would be considered a longshot. His allowance victory at Gulfstream Park in his last start was really impressive, and I would not be surprised to dee this one elevate his game as he gets to Stakes company a little later this spring. He worked this morning at Gulfstream Park, going 5 furlongs in 1:02.38. That was the 12th best time out of 22 to go the distance. Mark Hennig can really train. And, he just may now have the horse that can carry him to that winner’s circle on the “First Saturday in May.”
  2. Giuseppe the Great — a 5YO horse by Lookin at Lucky and trained by Nick Zito, once ran second to American Anthem in the G2 Woody Stephens Stakes, and second to Good Samaritan in the Jim Dandy Stakes back in 2017 — is on the comeback trail at Oaklawn Park. This morning the horse worked 3 furlongs in :39 flat. That was the 2nd of 4 to go the distance early on. It was his second published work since Feb. 3. Looking forward to seeing this gritty guy back in action this year.
  3. Pretty at War, a 4YO War Front filly trained by Tom Amoss for the Whisper Hill Farm of Mandy Pope, is a well-bred thing, for sure. Her dam is Plum Pretty, who just so happened to be a multiple Graded Stakes winner in her career. She won the likes of the G1 Apple Blossom, the G2 Cotillion, and, get this, the G1 KY Oaks. Pretty at War has yet to taste victory. In 6 lifetime starts, she does have a second and 2 thirds. She ran fifth at Oaklawn Park on Feb. 3 in her last out. On Thursday, she worked at the Fair Grounds. Went a nice half in :48.40. That was the 3rd best time out of 62 to go the distance. Sure would be nice to see this one get a win. Should make a nice broodmare in her own right.
  4. Reride, a 4YO son of Candy Ride and trained by Steve Asmussen for the Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC, has been residing at Tampa Bay Downs. This guy ran third to Mendelssohn in the G1 UAE Derby a year ago, but has never been the same since. He ran 5th in the Woodchopper Stakes at the Fair Grounds on Dec. 29. Got his fifth published work since that race and second straight at Tampa Bay on Thursday. Went 5 furlongs in 1:02.40. that was 9th best of 19 to go that far. Interesting to see where this one pops up next.