(Harvey’s Lil Goil winning the G3 Regret at Churchill Downs / Photo Courtesy of Churchill Downs)

(Max Player / Photo Courtesy of NYRA)

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. Max Player, a 3YO son of Honor Code and a prime contender for this Saturday’s G1 Travers Stakes, worked at Belmont Park on Monday. Trained by Linda Rice, this guy — who finished 3rd in the G1 Belmont Stakes last time out when racing off a 4+ month layup — went 5 furlongs in 1:01.55. That was the bullet move out of 15 to clock the distance. In 4 career starts, this lightly raced colt has a record of 2-1-1. More to come from this one. My longshot candidate for the KY Derby. Has “the look” to me.
  2. Mailman Money, a 3YO son of Goldencents and trained by W. Bret Calhoun for the Allied Stables and Chester Thomas, worked at Churchill Downs this morning. The colt — who has not raced since finishing a disappointing 11th in the G2 Louisiana Derby back in March — went 3 furlongs in :37 flat. That was the 3rd best time out of 12 to go the distance. It was the 2nd published work for the colt since being returned to serious training just a couple of weeks ago. In 4 lifetime starts so far, he does have 2 wins, and a 4th in the G2 Risen Star. On the comeback trail now.
  3. Bango, winner of the Animal Kingdom Stakes at Turfway Park on the undercard of the Jeff Ruby Steaks Day, worked at Churchill Downs this morning for trainer Greg Foley. The 3YO son of Congrats breezed a half mile from the starting gate in :49.20. That was the 26th best time out of 66 to go that far. After running 8th in an allowance at Churchill Downs in May, this guy went to the sidelines. Just returned to the work tab on July 3. Got his 4th published move today. Should be ready sooner rather than latter to return to the afternoon events.
  4. Fabricate, a 2YO daughter of Speightster and trained by Ian Wilkes, is a potential dandy and one that bears serious watching. This gal won on debut at Churchill Downs on June 26 for a barn that does not normally have them cranked and ready to fully fire in the first start. But she won coming from just off the pace and beat her stablemate — Bahama Mischief, another promising filly. On Tuesday morn, Fabricate breezed 4 furlongs in :48.60 — which was the 13th best time out of the 66. It was her 5th published work since the win, too. Looks ready.
  5. Beautiful Trauma, a 3YO filly by Tapiture and trained by Tom Amoss, may be ready to take the next step up. She won the last time out and has 2 wins in the last 3. Worked this morning at Churchill Downs, breezing 5 furlongs in a snappy 1:00 flat. That was the 2nd best time out of 18. Next?
  6. News Break, a 3YO son of American Pharaoh and a former pupil of the disgraced Jason Servis, worked this morning at Keeneland. This is an interesting sort. Only raced one time, and that was last November at Gulfstream Park West. Ran 11th that day at 2-1 odds. Been off ever since. Got his 5th published work this morning in Lexington, going 5 furlongs in a very nice :59.80. Looks like this one may be about ready to try racing again soon. Bears watching, perhaps.
  7. Harvey’s Lil Goil, a 3YO daughter of American Pharoah and out of a Tapit mare, rolled along through a 5 furlongs work at Saratoga this morning. Went the distance in 1:00.29 over the dirt training track for trainer Bill Mott. That was the bullet move out of 2 to go that distance over that surface. In 5 career starts, this one has 3 wins. Last out, she won the G3 Regret Stakes at Churchill Downs. Two races before that, she won the Busanda Stakes at Aqueduct. Talent here. Take note.
  8. Passing Out, a 4YO daughter of Orb and trained by HOFer Shug McGaughey, worked at Saratoga this morning, as well. The mare — who has run two straight 3rd in the G3 Beaugay Stakes and the De La Rose Stakes — went 4 furlongs in a pure maintenance time of :51.12. That was the 2nd best time out of 2 to move over the dirt training track surface.