(Midnight Bisou / 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.

  1. His Glory, a 3YO filly by Mineshaft and trained by Tom Amoss, didn’t have the kind of start to the 2020 racing season as most (blush) would have liked. She ran a disappointing 5th in the Silverbulletday at the Fair Grounds on Jan. 18. Still, when you count up the lengths-beaten, she was only about 3 lengths behind the winner — the odds-on and definitive Finite. His Glory was back in “work mode” today, breezing a half mile in a very nice :48.20. That was the 2nd best time out of 58 to go the distance. Now, that’s what I like to see. Let’s hope for more out of this one. I’m not ready to toss towel yet.
  2. Midnight Bisou, who was nearly perfect a year ago with the only blemish being a 2nd in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff, worked at the Fair Grounds this morning for trainer Steve Asmussen. “The Champ” got her 6th published work since returning to the training ranks in the a.m. on Dec. 19. And, she was sharp this morning. Went 5 furlongs in 1:00.40. That was the bullet move out of 28 to clock the distance. She is good all the time. And, she proved it again this morning. What a most wonderful filly. Most wonderful.
  3. Vekoma, winner of the 2019 G2 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes at KEE last April, is on the comeback trail. The 4YO son of Candy Ride has not started in a race since running 12th in last year’s KY Derby. Just started back most recently and got his 2nd published work in the past two weeks today. Went 3 furlongs in :38.85 at Palm Beach Downs in South Florida for trainer George Weaver. That was the 2nd best time out of 2 to go that far. Just starting back. Will be awhile, but good to see him stretching the legs again.
  4. Rocketry, now a 6YO son of Hard Spun and trained by Jimmy Jerkens, worked at the Palm Meadows Training Center. The “old man” got his first published work since running last September at Belmont Park. Went 3 furlongs in :36.65 — which was the 5th best time out of 10 to go that far. In his career, Rocketry has won 5 of 22 lifetime starts, and has 5 more seconds and 3 thirds. Has earned over $643,000 in purses. And…he is the winner of the G2 Marathon Stakes at Churchill Downs in November of 2018. Welcome back, guy.
  5. Necker Island, a 3Yo son of Hard Spun and trained by Stanley Hough, is on the outside looking in right now, but he could still earn his way into Triple Crown contention. The colt has won two in a row since starting the career with a 3rd in the debut. Worked a nice half mile at Palm Meadows this morning. Went the distance in :48.25. That was the 5th best time out of 15. Sagamore Farms purchased this guy for $250,000 at the 2018 KEE September Yearling Sale. Looks to have a big chance to make that a bargain price. Look for more out of this one soon.