(Divine Queen wins 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. Divine Queen, who is truly a monster on the off going for trainer Buff Bradley, worked like one on the dry dirt at Churchill Downs this morning. The 4YO daughter of Divine Park went a half mile in a brisk :47.20 — and that was the 2nd best time out of 52 to clock the distance. This gal won an allowance at Churchill Downs in her last out. Before that, she was 4th in the G3 Winning Colors at Churchill Downs. She is already a Stakes winner, and has 5 wins in 15 career starts. Look for more next time out. Especially is it rains.
  2. Whiskey Echo, a 3YO son of Tiznow and trained by Steve Asmussen, is coming off a 6th place finish to Code of Honor in the G3 Dwyer Stakes at Belmont Park on July 6. Before that, though, he had never been off the board in 4 previous tries, and had 2 wins to the resume. Worked an easy half mile at Churchill Downs this morning. Went the distance in :49.80 — which was 32nd best of the 52. It was his 3rd published work since the Dwyer. Should be ready to pounce. Watch out here.
  3. Bandua, winner of the G3 Arlington Handicap in his last out for trainer Jack Sisterson and Calumet Farm, worked this morning at Keeneland. Went a nice half mile over the main dirt track in :47.80 — which was 2nd best of 21 to mark the distance. This 4YO son of The Factor started his career overseas, but looks like he has found his best stride of late for the new conditioner. In 12 lifetime starts, he has 3 wins, a second and a third. Look for him to show up again on Million Day. Stay tuned.
  4. Lexitonian, a 3YO son of Speightstown and also trained by Sisterson, worked at Keeneland this morning, as well. The Graded Stakes winner breezed a half mile in :48.80 — which was 10th best of the 21. Last time out, Lexitonian won the Concern Stakes at Laurel. Ran a disappointing 10th in the G1 Woody Stephens, but won the G3 Chick Lang at Pimlico before that. A bit on the inconsistent side, but has some lick to him. Bears watching for the next out.
  5. Undrafted, now a 9YO son of Purim and trained by Wesley Ward, continues to crank it out. Worked at Keeneland this morning, going 5 furlongs over the main dirt track in 1:01 flat. That was 2nd best of 8 and not bad for a veteran turf warrior. Has run back-to-back 4ths in his last 2 races, including the G2 Twin Spires Turf. Comes from the clouds, so he needs some racing luck late. But this Graded Stakes winner is a fan favorite. At least, he’s one of mine.
  6. By Your Side, a 2YO son of the first-crop sire Constitution and trained by Eddie Kenneally, is a perfect 2-for-2 in his early stages and has all the look of making a real good one. Won the G3 Sanford Stakes at Saratoga as our top pick last time out. Worked a nice half mile today at “The Spa,” going the distance in an easy :49.44. That was 34th best of 67, but it was a pure maintenance move for this talented guy. Look for this one to be tough later this year, too. Eyes watching.