(Monomoy Girl after winning the Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Churchill Downs / Photo by Holly M. Smith)

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. Maximus Mischief, a mucho talented 3YO son of Into Mischief and trained by Robert E. Reid, Jr., sustained his first loss of the career in the G2 Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park last time out on Feb. 2. Before that, he had won 3 in a row — including an impressive victory in the G2 Remsen Stakes at Aqueduct to finish up the 2018 season. I can forgive the first out of the New Year, especially on the speed favoring track. But he will need to move forward in the Fountain of Youth. Prepped for that one with a half-mile work this morning at Gulfstream. Went the distance in :49.02. That was the 11th best time out of 58 to go the distance. Look for more the next time this one takes to the track. Updated: It was announced later this morning that the trainer was not happy with the work and will postpone the next start for this one. The future plans are currently up in the air.
  2. Mr. Ankeny, a 3YO son of Into Mischief and trained by Dale Romans for the Albaugh Family Stables, has not raced since finishing 6th to Knicks Go in the G1 Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland last October. Ran right into the teeth of that Graded Stakes event off a MSW win at Ellis Park in September. In four races to date, he has a 1-1-1 record. Worked this morning at Gulfstream Park, going 5 furlongs in 1:01.26. That was the 4th best time out of the 14 to go. It was the 5th published work since Jan. 29 for this one. Looks about ready.
  3. Chocolate Kisses, a 3YO Candy Ride filly trained by Mark Casse for the owner Debby Oxley, worked this morning at the Fair Grounds. Went a half mile in an eye-popping :47.60 time. That was 3rd best of the 67 to be clocked at the distance. This one is coming off a win in an allowance event in New Orleans on Jan. 18. That was important since she did not finish the Rags to Riches Stakes at Churchill Downs on Oct. 28. This one had run 4th in the G1 Alcibiades to Restless Rider the time before that. Keep an eye on this one. May be coming around at the right time for the Louisiana Oaks?
  4. Covfefe, a 3YO Into Mischief filly trained by Brad Cox, was super impressive in the career debut — running off to a whopping 91/4-length victory. Came back to run in the G1 Frizette Stakes in her next race, when she was behind the winner Jaywalk. That winner came back to dominate the G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. Covfefe got her second published work since Feb. 17 this morning in New Orleans, going a half mile in :49.40. That was 34th of the 67. Watch this one. Super talent awaiting.
  5. Furiously Fast, a 3YO daughter of Violence and trained by Casse, may be another one to watch. Ran fourth at the Fair Grounds in an allowance event on Jan. 28. Before that, broke her maiden at Woodbine. Worked this morning, going a half mile in :47.60. Same time as Chocolate Kisses. Could be sitting on go, too.
  6. Monomoy Girl, 4YO daughter of Tapizar and the 3YO Filly Champ of a year ago, worked this morning at the Fair Grounds. In her second published work since returning to the track, she went an easy half-mile in :50.20. That was 52nd best of the 67. In 11 career starts, this magnificent filly has won 9 times and run seconds twice. One of those was a DQ at Parx, and rather suspect in my eyes. Superstar waiting a return to the game. What a superstar.
  7. Copper King, a well-regarded 3YO son of Medaglia d’Oro and traded by Steve Asmussen, worked this morning at the Fair Grounds, as well. He went 5 furlongs in 1:01 flat. That was the 9th best time out of the 41 to go that far. In the career debut, he had the great misfortune of catching the likes of Aquadini –another talent.  Keep an eye on both of those cats as they move forward. Both have talent.
  8. Mia Mischief, a fast and furious daughter of Into Mischief, worked this morning at the Fair Grounds for Asmussen, as well. This Graded Stakes winner, who is coming off a 9th place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint, went 5 furlongs in 1:01.20. That was 13th best. It was her 5th published work since Jan. 28. Should be ready soon.
  9. Midnight Bisou, one of only two horses to get a win over Monomoy Girl (even though she was moved up by the stewards to do so), was on the track in New Orleans for the Asmussen barn, too. Coming off a win in the G3 Houston Ladies Classic to start the New Year, she went 5 furlongs in 1:01.60. That was the 17th best time. Looks ready to roll again. Watch soon.