(Taraz gallops home in front in the Martha Washington Stakes / Coady Photography & Courtesy of Oaklawn Park)

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. Taraz, the 3YO woman-child filly trained by Brad Cox, worked like the real deal at Oaklawn Park this morning. The undefeated filly — who is a perfect 3-for-3 and dominated lesser rivals last time out in the Martha Washington Stakes — breezed a half-mile over the main dirt track in Hot Springs in a brilliant time of :47.80. That was the 7th best clocking out of 23 to go that far this morning, and the daughter of Into Mischief was under tight wraps the entire journey. This one — folks — is the real deal. Her teammate is British Idiom, also undefeated and ready to set sail in her first start of the 2020 season this weekend in the Rachel Alexandra Stakes in New Orleans. So, the question begs. What does Cox do with 2 wonderful gals in the barn? I think he wins the Oaks and the Derby. Why not, right?
  2. Veteran, a 3YO son of Quality Road and trained by Richard Mandella, is our latest installment on the “Pressbox’s Horses to Watch List.” This colt — who was purchased for $190,000 at the KEE September Yearling Sale in 2018 — has made only one start in the career to date. Ran 6th and last in a MSW event at Del Mar last August. That race was won by a colt by the name of Storm the Court. Remember him? All he did in November was win the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita. Veteran finished about 11 lengths behind the winner that day. But don’t be too disheartened. Was off a step slow in that one, but the colt rushed himself immediately to the lead. A terrible scenario for any horse. Much less one making the career debut. Ran on the lead until the stretch when he threw out the parachute. Trainer is known for allowing this youngsters to train themselves into race fit condition. Took Omaha Beach several times, too, to break the maiden. Has not raced again since that first start. But did return to serious training today for the first time. Went a sizzling 3/8ths in :34.20. That was the bullet move out of 18 to mark the three furlong poles. Don’t know how long it may take him to get back to the afternoon stuff, but this one bears watching.
  3. Instagrand, a 4YO son of Into Mischief and a key contender for the Triple Crown races a year ago, is now in the barn of trainer Don Chatlos and is gearing up for his next race. Last time out, he was 6th in the G2 San Pasqual Stakes at Santa Anita on Feb. 1. This one has not won a race now since capturing the first two of his career and annexing the G2 Best Pal Stakes on Aug. 11 of 2018. That was 11/2 years ago. Did run third on 3 occasions in the last 6 races — the most impressive coming in the G1 Santa Anita Derby last Spring. Redemption time now. Worked this morning, going a half mile in :48 flat. That was the 9th best time out of 68 to go that far. Interesting.
  4. War Path, a 3YO son of War Front and trained by Bob Baffert, may be one to key an eye on, as well. This one has had 2 career starts to date. Ran 7th on debut at Los Alamitos on Dec. 7. Came back on Jan. 1 to ran third in a 1-mile contest over the Santa Anita turf course. Was beaten about 1 length in that one, while encountering a lot of traffic issues in-between horses late. Look for this one next out. “Pressbox’s Horses to Watch List.”
  5. Ollie’s Candy, a 5YO daughter of Candy Ride and trained by John Sadler, worked this morning at Santa Anita. The Multiple Graded Stakes winner went 5 furlongs over the dirt training track in 1:01 flat. That was the bullet move out of 6 to go the distance. It was the mare’s 4th published work since returning to serious training on Jan. 19. Last race was a game 4th in the BC Distaff. Looks about ready to return.
  6. McKinzie, a 5YO son of Street Sense and trained by Team Baffert, is expected to make his next start in Saudi Arabia — if all goes to plan. Tuned up for that journey and trip with a 7-furlong work in 1:25.20. That was the bullet move, of course. Only 1 went that distance. It was the colt’s 9th published work since he ran 2nd in the Breeders’ Cup Classic last November. Looks like he is fit enough. Is he good enough? We shall see.