(Just F Y I / Photos by Holly M. Smith)

Here’s a closer eye exam on today’s work crew from around the United States:

1. Tuscon: This is a 4YO son of Constitution, who the connections paid a handsome $1.3 million to obtain at the 2022 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. Since the time of acquisition until today, this one has made it to the starting gate a total of one time. That came in December at Gulfstream Park for trainer Todd Pletcher. The colt ran 4th in that debut effort. He was defeated by approximately 6 lengths bye Into Pleasure, a son of Into Mischief who is trained by Brian Lynch. Today’s work was encouraging. Tuscon went a half-mile in a blistering :47.88 seconds — which was the bullet move out of 7 that negotiated the distance over the dirt track at Palm Beach Downs. Maybe now this one can start to give the ownership team a little return on their huge investment. Lots of shovels to go to break even on this one.

2. Just FYI: This 4YO filly raced only three times in 2024, after winning the G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies in 2023. The daughter of Justify, who is trained by HOFer Bill Mott, was 2nd in both the G1 Ashland Stakes at Keeneland and the G1 Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs. After running 6th in the G1 Acorn Stakes at Saratoga in June, this filly was put up for the remainder of the year. In 6 lifetime starts, though, she has gone 3-2-0 and has won nearly $2 million in purses. Has begun to work her way back to you. Breezed 3 furlongs for the second straight week this morning at the Payson Park Training Center in South Florida. Went the distance over the main dirt track in :38.60. It was the 3rd best time out of 5 to clock that distance. Be fun to see this gal, who ran about 5 lengths behind Thorpedo Anna in the “Run for the Lillies” last May, back in the action soon.

3. Excite: This 3YO daughter of Speightstown is out of the grand mare Elate, and is a homebred for the famed Claiborne Farm and special client Adele B. Dilschneider. So far, Excited has made only one start and it was not overly exciting. Ran 4th in the debut at Gulfstream Park on Dec. 21. But the good news is that Excite was beaten only about 1 length for all of it and was stuck on the rail for much of the foray. May improve rapidly now that she has made the gate. Was back on the track this morning, working 4 furlongs in a snappy :48.80 at Payson Park. That was the best effort and time of the day out of 18 that made the distance in earnest. Look for this one to be back in action soon.