(Shisospicy / Photos by Coady Media)

We are bringing back an “oldie,” but a damn “goodie” with a look each day at some of the best works at racetracks around the country. Some are getting their games and acts together for some major Stakes events leading up to the 152nd Kentucky Derby, on that legendary first Saturday in May. Others may be worthing watching as they gear up for the races, in their early stages of development.

Take a gander. May be worth it come handicapping time:

  1. Civetta: This 4YO daughter of Into Mischief is already Graded Stakes placed for her owners at Godolphin LLC and that means a lot considering this pedigree and when she ultimately makes it to breeding time. But, for now, trainer Brendan Walsh is gearing her back up for her first start of ’26, after running a disappointing 6th at Turfway Park on Dec. 21. She got her third published work since that last race this morning at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans. Went an easy half-mile in :50 flat. That was the 15th best time out of 33 to go that distance. Look out for this homebred to be on the muscle next time out.
  2. Paving: This 3YO filly, by the great Gun Runner, may be developing into a KY Oaks contender for trainer Tom Amoss. The classy runner has raced only 3 times in her left, to date. Has won two of them, one each at Ellis Park and the other at the Fair Grounds. Last time this one made the gate, she was 4th in the Year’s End Stakes at Oaklawn Park on Dec. 27. Lost that one to Counting Stars from the barn of Mark Casse. Will be interesting to see where Paving — who pressed the front-end speed that day and faltered late —  resurfaces.
  3. Stradale: This 3YO son of Yaupon has already run 5 times in the career and has hit the board in 4 of them. Was 3rd in the Ed Brown Stakes at Churchill Downs in the last effort on Nov. 29. Got a little R&R break after that effort and now is working his way back to you. Got his 2nd published work since Jan. 9 today, going a half-mile in a deliberate :52.40. That was the 41st best time out of 44 to clock the distance. Be fun to see this one return to the fray soon. Has talent and will travel.
  4. Indigo Woods: This is a 3YO daughter of the Irish stallion Blue Point. She has only one start to date and won that one at Churchill Downs last October for trainer Brendan Walsh and owner Bubba Rodgers. Beat a nice field that day by nearly 2 lengths, while going 11/16-miles over the sod. Watch out for this one on the comeback trail. Looks to have some real quality to her. Worked a half-mile over the sod at the Palm Meadows Training Center in South Florida this morning. Covered the ground in :49.95. That was the 16th best of 21 to go that distance. This is the third published work since Jan. 7. Look for more coming soon.
  5. Nothing Like You: This multiple Graded Stakes winner, who has already earned more than $567,000 in the career, worked at Palm Meadows this morning, as well. Covered a half-mile inn :50.90. That was 15th best of 18. In 14 career starts, so far, the daughter of Malibu Moon has a record of 5-3-1. This mare just brought $700,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Mixed Sale in November. In her last start, she won the Dark Mirage Stakes at Los Alamitos on the West Coast. Before that, she was 3rd inmate the Tranquility Stakes at Del Mar. Looks like a race coming up soon.
  6. Shisospicy: This multiple Graded Stakes winner — who has already earned over $2 million in purses, including the G1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint — was back in work mode on Wednesday. Went 5 furlongs at the Palm Meadows main dirt track in a snappy time of 1:00.33. That was the bullet move of the day for trainer Jose Francisco D’Angelo. This was the 4th work since returning to the morning preps on Dec. 20. Look out for this one to appear soon.