(Monomoy Girl in her work last week / Photo by Holly M. Smith)

Editor’s Note:

Our very own (or, at the least, we like to call her “over very own”) Holly M. Smith was on location this morning and got some outstanding photos of the works at Churchill Downs — including Monomoy Girl and Dennis’ Moment. 

For your viewing pleasure, here you go — thanks to the best equine photographer around:

(Monomoy Girl with the outrider after working with her regular workmate, Marquee Prince, this morning / Photos by Holly M. Smith)

(Dennis’ Moment has a few moments on the track at Churchill Downs this morning / Photo by Holly M. Smith)

(Mr. Misunderstood and My Boy Jack both got works in on Saturday morning at Churchill Downs / Photos by Holly M. Smith)

(Automate gets to stretch his legs / Photo by Holly M. Smith)

(Fancy Party Dress and Juggernaut both on the track this morning / Photos 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. Owendale, a 3YO son of Into Mischief and now a contender for this year’s G1 Travers Stakes for trainer Brad Cox, tuned up at Churchill Downs this morning. The colt went an easy half mile in :48.80 — which was the 25th best time out of 90 to clock the distance. Scheduled to ship up to Saratoga after today’s work. In his last 3 starts, Owendale has wins in the G3 Lexington Stakes and the Ohio Derby and a third in the G1 Preakness Stakes sandwiched in-between. Improving, without a doubt. Now, will have to step it up a notch or two. But capable.
  2. Monomoy Girl, the 3YO Champion Filly of a year ago, got her second “unofficial work” and first “published work” on her comeback trail this morning at Churchill Downs for trainer Brad Cox. The 4YO daughter of Tapizar — who has not run since finishing first in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Churchill Downs last November — worked a half mile in :48.60 today. That was the 17th best time out of the 90. She went in company with her regular work mate, Marquee Prince. In 11 career races to date, Monomoy Girl has 9 wins and 2 seconds. Sure would be good to have her back racing. What a filly.
  3. War of Will, a 3YO son of War Front and winner of the G1 Preakness Stakes for trainer Mark Casse, is apparently preparing for a run in the G1 Travers Stakes, as well. He went 4 furlongs at “The Spa” this morning in :50.54. That was the 34th best time out of 38. War of Will looked to be on a serious run this Spring when he won both the LeComte Stakes and the G2 Risen Star at the Fair Grounds. But he had some gate issues that cost him any kind of run in the G2 Louisiana Derby, and he was completely wiped out in the final turn of the G1 KY Derby by the disqualified Maximum Security. So, what is now in store? Can be great at times. Is this one of those times?
  4. Dennis’ Moment, a 2YO son of Tiznow and trained by Dale Romans, worked 5 furlongs at Churchill Downs this morning. This highly-acclaimed juvenile — who will run next in the Iroquois Stakes at Churchill Downs in September — breezed a spectacular 5 furlongs in 1:00.20. That was the 2nd fastest time out of 31 horses to go that far today. The time was outstanding, by contrast. But the way he did it? Wow. This is a good one. Write it down. In pen. Remember it. A good one. A really good one. Great? TBD.