Every day, we scour the work tabs at racetracks all over North America searching for the top performers in the mornings and those Thoroughbreds that may be peaking at just the right time for a prime outing in the afternoon. Some of the horses that we track, you will know and recognize. Others, though, you may not know — yet. Here is a closer look at today’s morning glories:

  1. Stallwalkin’ Dude, a gritty 7-year-old Stakes performer for trainer David Jacobson, tuned up with a 3F work at Belmont Park this morning in a time of :38.68, which was 19th best of 22 to go that distance. This old guy is one of the top sprinters on the East Coast and is sure to find a race soon at the Big A. Like most times before, he will out-run his age and his work times.
  2. Abbreviate, a talented 3YO filly by Harlan’s Holiday who has 2 wins and a second in 4 starts this year for trainer Chad Brown, worked a half mile in :48.87 this a.m. at Belmont Park. That was the 10th best time out of 40 to go. She will probably land in Stakes company very soon after having won an allowance race in October at a mile on the turf by an easy 23/4 lengths in her last out. Watch out for this improving one.
  3. Selcourt, an ultra-talented 3YO filly by Tiz Wonderful, has not been seen in the afternoons since she ran a game third in the Angels Flight Stakes at Santa Anita and an impressive 2nd in the Santa Paula Stakes a month earlier there. She was beaten by the highly touted Faypien in the first one and Mick Ruis’ Union Strike in the other. She went 5Fs at Santa Anita today in a leisurely 1:01.60, which was the 14th best time out of 41 to record a time. That is her first published work in the last 60 days. Keep an eye out for her return for trainer John Sadler.
  4. C Dub, a great work horse, went 4Fs this morning at Churchill Downs for trainer Kelly Von Hemel in a time of :47.40, which was 2nd best out of 55 to go.  This son of Hard Spun never disappoints in the a.m. and desperately needed his last at Keeneland in October, when he ran a game third. Should be sharper and better in the next out. Keep an eye out.
  5. Innyminniemineymoe, is a 2YO filly who I just added to my Horses to Watch List this weekend. She worked a half mile in :51.40 at Santa Anita this morning for trainer Vann Belvoir, which was the 8th best time out of 9. This one broke her maiden for a tag, but just ran third against winners for the first time in allowance company. Jury is still out, but worth a watchful eye for this daughter of Speightstown.