2/16/2019 – Jockey James Graham pilos Serengeti Empress into the stretch, then pulls away from the pack to win the 39th running of the Rachel Alexandra Stakes at Fair Grounds. Hodges Photography / Britt Benson.

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. Lone Sailor, a hot contestant among the top 3YOs a year ago for trainer Tom Amoss, worked at the Fair Grounds this morning. The 4YO son of Majestic Warrior went an easy half mile in :50.20. That was the 19th fastest time out of 22 to go the distance. In his first start of 2019, Lone Sailor ran 6th in the G3 Mineshaft Stakes at the Fair Grounds on Feb. 16. Before that, he ran 6th in the Breeders’ Cup Classic and won the G3 Oklahoma Derby. Should improve next time out. Keep an eye peeled.
  2. Serengeti Empress, winner of the G2 Rachel Alexandra at the Fair Grounds to begin the 2019 race calendar and now a leading contender for both the FG Oaks and the KY Oaks, worked for Amoss this morning in New Orleans. The 3YO daughter of Alternation went a half mile in :49.40. That was 13th best of 22. She can idle fast as she wants, and has an abundance of pure and natural speed. In 6 lifetime starts to date, she has 4 wins. Most of those by open lengths. She will be primed for the FG Oaks in New Orleans on Saturday, March 24. Count on it.
  3. Distant Shore, a 3YO Maryland-bred son of Algorithms and trained by Amoss, worked at the Fair Grounds this morning, as well. The colt — who has a win, a second, a third, and a fourth in 4 career starts — went 5 furlongs like he meant it. Clocked out at :59.60 — which was the bullet time out of 13 to go that far. Watch out for this one — which is owned by the Churchill Downs Racing Club. Talented.