(Brilliant Berti / 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. Spa Protector: This 3YO daughter of Authentic has only one win in the first five career starts for trainer Tom Amoss, but this gal does have a 3rd in the ’25 G3 Adirondack Stakes at Saratoga on the resume. May be pointed to this year’s G1 KY Oaks. Went 3 furlongs at the Fair Grounds this morning. First published work since the last race at Aqueduct on Nov. 6, when she ran 5th in the Tempted Stakes. Move was clocked in :36.40. That was the 2nd best time out of 11 to go the distance over the main dirt track. Bears watching.
  2. Alone Time: This 3YO daughter of Justify has joined “The Pressbox Watch List.” She won her last time out to break the MSW at the Fair Grounds. Went 11/16-miles over the sod in New Orleans on Jan. 3. Won that day by a whopping 4 lengths with Jose Ortiz in the saddle. This one is bred to run on the grass, to be sure, since she is out of a Dansilli mare. Connections got her for $385,000 at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale in 2024. Breezed this morning at the Fair Grounds in a leisurely :49.20 over the dirt track. That was the 29th best time out of 79 to go the distance. Tune in next time.
  3. Brilliant Berti: This 5YO mare — who has already won over $2.4 million and is a multiple Graded Stakes winner, to boot — worked for trainer Cherie DeVaux at the Fair Grounds this morning, as well. Daughter of Noble Mission went 4 furlongs in :48.80. That was 18th best of the group of 79. It was her 4th breeze since New Year’s Eve and she may be closing in on a race schedule soon.
  4. Gate to Wire: This 4YO son of Munnings is gearing up in South Florida for trainer Todd Pletcher. Won the Swale Stakes at Gulfstream Park a year ago and went 3 furlongs at Palm Beach Downs today. Breezed in :38.23. First published work since his 3rd in the G2 Amsterdam Stakes at Saratoga last July. More to come from and for this guy.
  5. Antiquarian: This son of Preservationist is coming off an 8th place finish in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic last November. But the G1 winner of the Jockey Club Gold Cup has begun to work his way back to you. Real soon. He got his first published move today at Palm Beach Downs, going 3 furlongs in :39.26 over the main dirt surface. That was 5th best of 5 clocking the distance. Road back starts with a single footstep.
  6. Bad Manners: This daughter of Into Mischief cost a hefty $700,000 at the Fasig-Tipton August Sale at Saratoga last summer. Ran once in ’25, closing out the 2YO season with a 3rd in a MSW event at Del Mar for trainer Richard Mandella. Got her 2nd work on the comeback trail today at Santa Anita. Went 3 furlongs in :36.20. Keep an eye on this one for Spendthrift Farm. Could show up huge real soon.
  7. Brant: This 3YO son of Gun Runner worked at Santa Anita this morning, as well. The 3rd-place finisher in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile went 3 furlongs in :37.80 for trainer Bob Baffert. That represents the 4th best time out of 6 to clock the distance. But it was the colt’s first published move since he was put up for the winter. This winner of the G1 Del Mar Futurity should be an impressive one this Spring.