(Break Even winning the Eight Belles 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. Bernheim, a 2YO son of Street Boss and trained by Brad Cox, is a perfect 1-for-1 so far, after tallying a win at Indy Grand in the career debut on Aug. 3. Back on the work tab today at Churchill Downs, clocking a half mile in :48 flat. That was the 6th best time out of 78 to go that far. This one is a home bred for the Godolphin Stables and looks to have a bright future. Keep an eye on this one.
  2. Break Even, a 3YO daughter of Country Day and trained by Cox, is also perfect in her race career. But this one is a perfect 6-for-6. Won the Coronation Cup at Saratoga on July 14 in the last outing to push the win streak to 6 to start the career. Worked at Churchill Downs this morning, and she freaked again. Went 5 furlongs in :58.40 — which was the bullet move out of 57 to go that far. Looks to be the absolute real deal, doesn’t she? Best win so far is the G2 Eight Belles at Churchill Downs. More to come.
  3. Catapult, now a 6YO horse by Kitten’s Joy and trained by John Sadler, has only one second in 4 starts this year. Has gone back-to-back 5th in the G1 Shoemaker Mile and the G2 Eddie Read. Back on the work tab this morning at Del Mar, where he went a half mile in :48 flat. That was the 5th best time out of 72 to go that far over the main dirt track. This guy may be a shade past prime, but he has won over $1.543 million in purses. May have another good one in the saddle.
  4. Endorsed, a 3YO son of Medaglia d’Oro and trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, has been mentioned as a possible contender for the G1 Travers Stakes in his next outing. He has raced 4 times in the early career, with 2 wins and a second. Last time out, Endorsed was second to the highly acclaimed Highest Honors in the Curlin Stakes at Saratoga. Worked this morning at “The Spa.” Went a half mile in the maintenance time of :48.33. That was 12th bet of 63 to go that far. Has the pedigree. Has the talent. Does he have the experience to match strides with some of the best in the division? Time shall tell.
  5. New and Improved, a 3YO filly by Cairo Prince and trained by Chad Brown, is a perfect 1-for-1 after breaking the maiden at first asking at Saratoga on July 28. Was back at work this morning at “The Spa,” going a half mile in :48.54 — which was the 16th best time out of 63 to go the distance. This one has all the makings of being another barn star for the hottest group in town. Bears watching.