(Bella Ballerina / Photos by Holly M. Smith)

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. Blackout Time: This 3YO son of Not This Time is trained by Ken McPeek and is currently residing at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans. The colt was on the track this morning, and continues to impress. He worked for the 2nd time since being returned to serious training in mid-January. He went an easy half-mile in :49.40. That was the 78th best time out of 176 going the distance. But don’t dismay. This is a real talented guy. And, he looked the part this a.m., too. In 3 starts to date, this guy has a win at Ellis Park and two runner-ups — including a 2nd to Ted Noffey in the G1 Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity. Was beaten nearly 3 lengths by the 2YO Champ, but that’s not a bad thing. Especially with the news that Ted is now off the Triple Crown trail. Keep an eye on this one. Please.
  2. Hit Parade: This 3YO Street Sense filly is already a Stakes winner after capturing the Untapable Stakes last time out at the Fair Grounds for trainer Brad Cox. She is now back in the entry box and scheduled to run at Oaklawn Park on Saturday. But races are cancelled in Hot Springs — again — due to weather related issues. Be interesting to see where this one shows back up on the path to the KY Oaks. In 4 starts now, Hit Parade has 3 wins and a third on the resume. Worked this morning at the Fair Grounds. Went a maintenance move 4-furlongs in :49 flat. That was 47th best of 176. Keep track here.
  3. Mesquite: This 3YO son of Union Rags is coming off a very impressive 2nd in the G3 Lecomte Stakes at the Fair Grounds for trainer Cherie DeVaux and he was back on the training routine today. Worked a half mile in :48.40 and that was the 19th best of the day. In 3 career starts now, this one has a win and a 2nd and looks to be on track towards the Louisiana Derby. The only blemish on the record is a 6th place finish in the first outing at Keeneland last Fall. Went 6 furlongs that day. Stretched out immediately thereafter and success.
  4. Quality Mischief: This 3HO son of Into Mischief has run 4th in the Gun Runner Stakes and 5th in the Lecomte in the last two outings. May not be cut out for the Derby Road experience. Back in training today for trainer Brad Cox. Went 4 furlongs in :52.20. That was 173rd best of 176. Hmmm.
  5. Rancho Santa Fe: This is a 3YO chestnut son of Tapit and is trained by Brad Cox, as well. This one was slated to go in the G3 Southwest Stakes this weekend, but that will have to wait another week due to the weather-related cancellations this weekend. Instead, this one worked today. Impressively, too, I might add. Went a brisk half mile in :47.80. That was 5th best of the 176. This one may be a star in the making. Won two in a row, including an allowance at KEE last October, before starting this year with a 5th in the Smarty Jones Stakes at Oaklawn Park. Was wide throughout that race and never was able to muster much of a threat against the leaders. Look for a rider change here. Hint. Hint.
  6. Bella Ballerina: This 3YO daughter of Street Sense, who is a perfect 2-for-2 with a win in the G2 Golden Rod under her girth, was back in training this morning in New Orleans. Went 5 furlongs for trainer Brendan Walsh and clocked the distance in 1:00.20. That was the bullet move out of 43 to go the distance. Best move of the day. The. Best. This gal, a home bred for Godolphin LLC, may be special. Very. Special.
  7. Chip Honcho: This 3Yo son of Connect was in training at the Fair Grounds, too. The winner of the Gun Runner Stakes went 5 furlongs in 1:01.60. That was the 14th best time out of the 43 for trainer Steve Asmussen. This guy is coming off a 4th place finish in the G3 Lecomte last time out. Tired in that one after going 5 wide. Not an expert ride by Paco Lopez. Maybe some changes coming for this one before the next outing.
  8. Grande: This Graded Stakes-placed winner has not raced since finishing 2nd in the 2025 G2 Wood Memorial. Missed the Triple Crown routine and the rest of the year for trainer Todd Pletcher. Is back in training now, though, and he got his 9th published work since Dec. 8 this morning at the Palm Beach Downs training center in South Florida. Went a half mile in :48.21. That was the bullet move of the day at the facility. Could be ready for a race soon. Real soon.
  9. Commandment: A rapidly improving 3YO son of Into Mischief is coming off a win in the Mucho Macho Man Stakes at Gulfstream Park for trainer Brad Cox. That was the 2nd win in a row and powers this one into the conversation for the Road to the Kentucky Derby. Worked 4 furlongs at Payson Park training center in South Florida this morning. Went a half time in :50 flat. That was the 20th best time out of 60 to go that far. This guy cost $500,000 to purchase at the 2024 KEE September Yearling Sale. Watch for him to show up again in Florida very soon.
  10. Paladin: The winner of the G2 Remsen Stakes at Aqueduct in early December was in training at Payson Park, as well. Trainer Chad Brown had the son of Gun Runner go a half mile in :49.80. That was 9th best of 60, and it was the 5th published work in Florida since the last win. Should be ready to rejoin the Road to the Ky Derby soon. Very soon. This guy has speed and appears to be able to rate, as well. Dangerous combo.
  11. Bad Manners: This 3YO daughter of Into Mischief cost a hefty $700,000 to purchase at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Yearling Sale a year ago. Has raced only once for trainer Richard Mandella and that was a distant 3rd at Del Mar last August. Back to training in January and got her 3rd published move today at Santa Anita. Went 3 furlongs in :36 flat. That was the bullet move out of 4 to go that far. Keep an eye here. Lot more in stock, or should be.
  12. Boyd: This winner of the Ed Brown Stakes at Churchill Downs last November was back in training today for trainer Bob Baffert. He went 5 furlongs in 1:01.20. That was 16th best out of 41 and it was his 4th published move since Jan. 8. Look for this one to jump back into competition soon at Santa Anita. Connections paid $1,050,00 at a 2YO Sale last year. For a reason. Triple Crown season.
  13. Himika: This is a 3YO daughter of Curlin and another star in the barn of Bob Baffert. The Anoakia Stakes winner went 5 furlongs on the all-weather track at Santa Anita this morning and did so it a snappy time of 59.20. That was the bullet move out of 13 to cover the distance over this surface. Has 7 starts to the career so far and has 3 wins already, too. Despite a 4th in the Santa Ynez Stakes on Jan. 10, this one still has potential. Look for connections to stick her back in Stakes company soon. After all, she cost $900,000 to buy last year.