(Burnham Square / 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. Cannoneer: This 3YO son of Into Mischief is now #20 on “The Pressbox’s Kentucky Derby Watch Party & Rankings” and could move up quickly and significantly as we get closer to the warmer months when the ice falls into a tumbler full of good stuff rather than on our card windshields. This one worked on Saturday at Payson Park in South Florida and covered 5 furlongs in 1:01.60 — which was the 2nd best time out of 6 to clock the distance. This was the 5th published work since being returned to serious training on Christmas Eve. Look forward to seeing this one back on the track in a serious afternoon effort soon. Lots of potential here. Lots.
  2. Nearly: This 3YO son of Not This Time has won 2 in a row for trainer Todd Pletcher and may now be pointed to some major Stakes events in the Sunshine State soon. This guy was on the track yesterday morn at Palm Beach Downs and worked a bullet move in :48.59. That was the fastest time out of 25 to go the half-mile distance over the training track’s main dirt surface. Centennial Farms paid $350,000 for this one and that may now turn out to be one of the biggest bargains in this group. This is another one that is already showing up in our “Kentucky Derby Rankings.” Look out. More to come.
  3. Renegade: This is another standout 3YO in the barn of HOF trainer Todd Pletcher. Like the one just above, this guy was on the track Saturday morn at Palm Beach Downs. This one breezed 4 furlongs in :48.69, which was the 3rd best time out of 25 to go that distance. Don’t worry, though. This son of Into Mischief possesses a ton of speed options and now must learn how to stretch that out to the route distance. Last race was a 2nd in the G2 Remsen. Stakes events forthcoming. Like to see this one pop soon.
  4. East Avenue: This 4YO son of Medaglia d’Oro and the great broodmare sire Ghostzapper worked for trainer Brendan Walsh at Palm Meadows Training Center in South Florida on Sunday. The Godolphin LLC homebred has won 3 of 8 career starts to date and has earned over $909,000 in purses. Ended the ’25 campaign with a 5th place finish in the G2 West Virginia Derby, but won the G3 Matt Winn Stakes at Churchill Downs and was 2nd in the G1 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes before then. Lots to like in this guy, who is a stallion in the making. Went 3 furlongs at Palm Meadows on Sunday in his first trip back to the track for a real training session since last August. Covered the distance in an easy :38.95. That was the 9th best time out of 15 to go that far. Keep watchful eye here.
  5. Lush Lips: This multiple Graded Stakes winning filly is on the cusp of joining the million dollar club soon. Comes into the ’26 racing year with $916,760 in earnings and the Irish-bred daughter of Ten Sovereigns is showing no signs of slowing down. Went 4 furlongs in her first real test back in a deliberate :51.80. That was the 27th best time out of 33. Not to worry. Last time out was last November at Churchill Downs. Won the G2 Mrs. Revere Stakes that day. Now, after 11 career starts, this one has a record of 5 wins and 4 seconds. Nice. Very nice.
  6. Sister Troienne: This daughter of Munnings has now won 4 of 5 lifetime starts and is starting to make a name and a resume for herself on the road to some major turf Stakes in the near future. Won the Ginger Brew Stakes at Gulfstream Park last time out on Jan. 3 for trainer Brian Lynch. Has now run off 4 wins in a row. Went a half mile at the Palm Meadows Training Center this morning and clocked the work in :48 flat. That was the 3rd best time out of 33 to try the turf track today. Looking solid.
  7. Burnham Square: The 2025 winner of the G1 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes was back in training for conditioner Ian Wilkes this morning at the Palm Meadows Training Center. Went 4 furlongs in :51.70, which was the 55th best time out of 63 to go that far. This was the first published move back since the gelding was 2nd in the Nashville Derby at Kentucky Downs last August. This guy has serious game and should show up ready for a top trainer soon.
  8. Gosger: The 2025 winner of the G3 Lexington Stakes last Spring was back in training on Sunday morning for trainer Brendan Walsh, too. This guy — who was 2nd in both the G1 Preakness Stakes and the G1 Haskell Stakes — went 4 furlongs in :50.80. That was 39th best of the 63 to go the distance. Son of Nyquist has serious talent. If he improves any — at all? Look out ’26. Could be one of the best older horses in training. Nice.
  9. Further Ado: One of our top picks in the current “The Pressbox ’26 Kentucky Derby Rankings” folder was back in training at Palm Meadows today for trainer Brad Cox. The winner of the G2 KY Jockey Club Stakes at Churchill Downs went an easy 3 furlongs in :37 flat. That was the best time out of 9 to go the short distance. Wow. Son of Gun Runner has some serious talent. Take note. More to come.
  10. Scratch It: This daughter of Tapit just may turn out to be one of Cox’s best shots on the sod this year. The 3YO — coming off back to back 2nds in Stakes events last year — went 3 furlongs on the dirt this morning. Clocked the distance in :37 flat. That was the bullet move out of 9 to go that far, too. Right connections here. Could develop into a real good one. Soon.
  11. Litmus Test: A 3YO son of former KY Derby winner Nyquist is on the “Road to the KY Derby” for trainer Bob Baffert. Has 2 wins in first 5 starts and one of those came last time out in the G2 Los Alamitos Futurity. Was back in training at Santa Anita today and went a half-mile in :47.80. That was 7th best of 77. Can fly. On the ground.