(Just a Touch / Photos by Holly M. Smith)

Here’s a glance at the work tab around the land:

  1. Candytown: This 3YO son of Speightstown should be on your “Eye Watch.” The May 2 foal has raced only one time so far, running a nice 2nd at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 4. Beaten only 1/2-length in the 1-mile test one the grass that day. Worked this morning for trainer Todd Pletcher, going 4 furlongs at Palm Beach Downs. Went in :50.06, which was the 8th best time out of 11 to go the distance. First work since the race. More to come here.
  2. Into Amore: The is a 4YO daughter of the great stallion Into Mischief and another from the barn of Todd Pletcher. Despite turning 4 now, she has only one start — a win at Tampa Bay Downs on Dec. 11. That checks one box for this future broodmare, who is a homebred. Will try to pad the resume soon, I would suspect. Keep an eye.
  3. Just a Touch: The son of Justify was one of the “Hot Horses” coming to town for the 150th Kentucky Derby a year ago, for trainer Brad Cox. That didn’t really materialize very well. After running 2nd in both the G3 Gotham Stakes and the G1 Toyota Blue Grass, this guy was 20th in the Kentucky Derby. Was given 2 months off after that, but returned to run 2nd as the odds-on favorite in the Iowa Derby on July 6. Was put away after that race for the rest of the year. Was returned to serious training on Dec. 22 at Payson Park in South Florida. Got his 4th published work today. Went a half-mile in :49.60, which was the 5th best of 27. This guy still has time to run up to his pedigree and expectations. Especially under the tutelage of this trainer. Stay tuned.