(Lady Kate / 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.

  1. Lady Kate, a 4YO daughter of Bernardini and trained by Eddie Kenneally for Anderson Stables, is coming off an impressive victory in the Groupie Doll Stakes at Ellis Park on Aug. 9. Beat some good ones in there — like New Too, Street Band, Wit Dignity, Divine Queen, Lady Apple. Lady Kate — who many race next on either Oaks or Derby Day — worked a maintenance-like 4 furlongs today at Churchill Downs. Went the distance in :49.60. That was the 36th best time out of 61. This one has two wins in a row now and looks to be the best form of her life. Watch out.
  2. Silver State, a 3YO son of Hard Spun and trained by Steve Asmussen for the Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC and Willis Horton, worked at Churchill Downs this morning, as well. The Graded Stakes-placed winner has not run since finishing 7th in the G2 Louisiana Derby. Before that, though, he was 3rd in the G3 Risen Star and 2nd in the G3 Lecomte Stakes at the Fair Grounds. Got this 3rd published work today since being returned to serious training on Aug. 10. Went 4 furlongs in :49.20. That was 19th best of 61. Has a few more breezes to go before ready, but this one has talent.
  3. Leinster, who won the G2 Shakertown Stakes at KEE on July 11 and is trained by Rusty Arnold, worked at Churchill Downs today. The turf sprint specialist went 5 furlongs over the sod in 1:01.80. That was the 3rd best time out of 4 to negotiate the distance and the surface. In 21 lifetime starts, this 5YO son of Majestic Warrior has a mark of 4-6-4 and has earned over $564,000. Look for a return the first week of September.
  4. Mr. Big News, upset winner of the Oaklawn Stakes before running 6th in the G2 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, breezed at Churchill Downs today, as well. The 3YO son of Giant’s Causeway went 5 furlongs over the turf in 1:00.80. That was the bullet move of the day at the distance. Interesting to see trainer W. Bret Calhoun give this one a shot on the sod. Interesting. Future?
  5. Next Shares, a 7YO gelded son of Archarcharch and trained by Richard Baltas, worked under the Twin Spires today. The multiple Graded Stakes winner traveled 5 furlongs over the grass in 1:01.60. That was 2nd best out of the 4. Was 10th in the G1 Maker’s Mark Mile last time out on July 10. Before that, though, this veteran was 2nd in the G1 Shoemaker Mile at Santa Anita. Has a Stakes win at KY Downs in his PPs. Maybe a return?
  6. Aurelius Maximus, a 4YO son of Pioneerof the Nile and trained by Steve Asmussen, has nor run since winning an allowance at the Fair Grounds back in January. Got his 9th published work since being returned to serious training in June at Keeneland. Went 5 furlongs impressively today, clocking out the distance in 1:00 flat. That was the 2nd best time out of 26 to go that far. Has talent. But seems to have issues, too. If he stays healthy? Watch out.
  7. Illumination, a 2YO daughter of Medaglia d’Oro who cost $900,000 to purchase, worked this morning at Del Mar for trainer Bob Baffert. The filly — who ran 2nd on debut here on Aug. 15 — worked a half mile in :48 flat. That was the 4th best time out of 32 to go the distance. She was beaten by 21/4 lengths in the debut by a filly named Forest Caraway, who is trained by Peter Miller. Watch out for both of these upon return.
  8. Merneith, a 3YO daughter of American Pharoah and also trained by Team Baffert, worked at Del Mar this morning, as well. The filly — who has a 1-3-1 mark in the first 6 starts — went a half mile in :47.60. That was the 2nd best time out of the group. Ultra fast. Can she get over seconditis? Time will tell.
  9. Authentic, a 3YO son of Into Mischief and a top contender for this year’s KY Derby, rebooted his work today after a mishap caused the connections to divert on Monday. The colt — who is coming off a win in the G1 Haskell Stakes last time out — went 1 mile over the main dirt track in 1:38.60. That was the only time registered at the distance today. The colt has a lifetime mark of 4 wins and a second to Honor A.P. in the G1 Santa Anita Derby. Not bad. Look out.