(Trainer Peter Miller, who conditions Billy Batts / 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. King Guillermo, a 3YO son of Uncle Mo and trained by Juan Carlos Avilla, worked this morning at Gulfstream Park. The winner of the G2 Tampa Bay Derby in his last out, King Guillermo breezed an easy half mile in :48.18. That was the 3rd best time out of 17 to go the distance. Our on-lookers said that the February foal did it easily, in hand, and really galloped out strong. Impressive. In 4 career starts now, this one has two wins and a third. Look for more out of this one. Appears headed to the G1 Arkansas Derby next out.
  2. Liam’s Lucky Charm, a 3YO son of Khozan and trained by Ralph Nicks, has not fared well in either of the last two starts. After winning the Pasco Stakes at Tampa Bay on Jan. 18, the colt has finished 10th in a division of the G2 Risen Star Stakes and 9th in the G2 Fountain of Youth on Feb. 29. Has been idle in the afternoon’s since that race. Got a little break and returned to the work tab on March 22. Today, Liam’s Lucky Charm breezed at Gulfstream Park, touring the dirt track in :50.61 over the 4 furlongs. That was the 16th best time out of 17 to go the distance. It was the 4th published work since the return and each of them have been methodical and deliberate. Hmmm.
  3. Billy Batts, a 3YO son of City Zip and trained by Peter Miller, is back from his ill-fated trip to the Saudi premier race days. Went to the Middle East and ran 7th in the Samba Saudi Derby Cup. That has been the only time in the last 7 races that he hasn’t hit the board. The runner-up to Structor in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf breezed a nice half mile in :48.60 this morning at Keeneland. That was the 6th best time out of 17 to navigate the distance over the main track. It was the third work since April 10. Looks to be getting better now.
  4. Wicked Smart, a 3YO daughter of Wicked Strong and trained by Tom Amoss, worked at Keeneland this morning, as well. This gal — who broke her maiden on March 11 at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans in impressive fashion and by nearly 4 lengths — breezed an easy half mile in :49 flat. That was the 7th best time out of the 17. Connections purchased Wicked Smart for a cool $425,000 at the OBS-March Sale last year. Not a bad pin-hook, considering that she sold for $30,000 at OBS the October before and for a mere $16,000 as a weanling at KEE November in 2017. Bears watching.
  5. Wasabi Girl, a 3YO daughter of Shanghai Bobby and trained by Steve Asmussen, worked at Oaklawn Park this morning. This gal — who was 4th in the Purple Martin Stakes to the very impressive Kimari — breezed 3 furlongs in :39.60. That was the 6th best time out of 8. In 7 lifetime starts to date, she has a 2-2-2 record. Look for more out of this one soon.
  6. Regal Beauty, a 3YO daughter of Malibu Moon and trained by Bob Baffert, is still looking for her first win, but you may not have to look long. In her first start, on Jan. 26, she ran second by just a head. Broke dead last in that one and came with a rush to just get nipped at the wire in a 5.5-furlong effort over the dirt. This gal came back to run 5th on Feb. 23. The runner-up in that race, though, was Merneith. This one just broke the maiden at Oaklawn Park on Sunday by a whopping 12 lengths. Remember both of these names. Regal Beauty worked a brilliant half mile over the main dirt track at Santa Anita this morning. Went the distance in :47.60. That was the 2nd best time out of 28 to go the distance.
  7. Phat Man, a 6YO son of Munnings and trained by J. Kent Sweezey, worked at Tampa Bay Downs this morning. Went 6 furlongs in 1:12 flat. That was the only time clocked at the distance this morning. The gelding — who finished 2nd to the stellar Mr Freeze in the G2 Gulstream Park Mile Stakes last time out — is entered in a Starter Allowance at Gulfstream Park tomorrow — April 23. Hmmm.