(Roadster winning at Santa Anita earlier this year / Photo Courtesy of Santa Anita)

Every day, we scour the work tabs at racetracks all over the country.  We are looking for workouts that may be of interest and helpful to you — as both race fans and handicappers.  Some of the horses we will be tracking, you will know.  Some of them, you may not know — as of yet.  We will keep a keen eye and stopwatch to see who may be working well:

  1. Hofburg, a 4YO son of Tapit and trained by Bill Mott, was the “hot horse” on the Churchill Downs’ grounds just a year ago. He had won a MSW at Gulfstream Park in March and run second in the Florida Derby. He was the best thing since a slice of banana bread from Harry’s Restaurant in Marathon, FL. (Take my word for it. It’s good.) But what a difference a year makes, right? Nobody turned a hair or a set of binoculars this morning when the colt — who ran 7th in the KY Derby a year ago and 3rd in the Belmonts Stakes — made an appearance at Churchill Downs this a.m. He got his second published work since returning to serious training on April 18. Went 3 furlongs in :37.60. That was the 7th best time out of the 7 to go the distance. Not much to write about. Just a long ways to go before we may see this one again. Hopefully, he can capture some of the glory that was supposed to be his.
  2. Aquadini, a nice son of Bernardini and trained by Dallas Stewart, worked this morning over the Churchill Downs main track. Went a really nice half mile in :47.60. That was the 2nd fastest time out of 26 to go that far. You can toss out the 12th place finish in the G2 Blue Grass Stakes in the last outing. Had no chance, after breaking from the #14 hole. Carried wide into the first turn over a track favoring speed. Will return to racing in Louisville, and should be a handful. I’m all in on this one.
  3. Chase the Ghost, a stablemate of Aquadini’s and a son of Ghostzapper, worked this morning, as well. Went a couple of ticks better than the roommate. Went the half in :47.20. That was the bullet move out of the 26. Looked good doing it, too. After breaking the Maiden at the Fair Grounds on Dec. 22, Stewart tried this well-bred colt in the G3 LeComte, the G2 Risen Star, and the G3 Lexington Stakes. Ran 6th, 9th, and 10th. May be time to try the Non-Other-Than Allowance? Talent is there. May need a little confidence boost.
  4. Covfefe, a gifted 3YO daughter of Into Mischief, worked for the barn of Brad Cox this morning. This razor blade, who can cut some serious fractions, went an easy half in :50.40. That was the 22nd fastest of 26. Didn’t know they could even throttle her back that much. In 3 career starts to date, she has 2 wins. More to come, too.
  5. Ulele, a 3YO Candy Ride filly trained by Cox, worked, as well. And, better, too. She went the half mile in :47.60 — which was the 2nd fastest time out of the 26. In 5 career starts to date, she has 2 wins, a second and 2 thirds. Just won over at Keeneland in the last out, against allowance company. Looks ready to try Stakes soon. Keep an eye on this one. Talent.
  6. Motion Emotion, a Take Charge Indy filly and one that is touting a pink KY Oaks saddle cloth these mornings, worked at Churchill Downs today. This filly — who was second in the G3 Honeybee Stakes and second in the G3 Fantasy Stakes in her last two outs — went an easy half mile in :49.80 — which was 15th best out of the 26. The connections purchased this filly for a modest $55,000 at the 2017 KEE September Yearling Sale. Bargain. Already has banked over $238,000. Might tag on some more next week. Watch this one. She’s a sleeper. Lost the Fantasy by only 1 length to Lady Apple after making a speedy lead all the way around in the 11/16-mile contest.
  7. Liora, a 3YO Candy Ride filly trained by Wayne Catalano, is another KY Oaks contender. She worked this morning, too, going 5 furlongs in :59.60. That was the 2nd fastest time out of the 8 to clock the distance. This talented gal has 2 seconds in a row, as well. Ran 2nd in the G2 Rachel Alexandra to Serengeti Empress, and then ran 2nd in the G2 Fair Grounds Oaks to Street Band. Lost that one by nearly 4, though. Could improve off those efforts, though, over this track. Especially if it comes up wet. Keep an eye on this one.
  8. Bizwhacks, a 3YO Fed Biz filly trained by Doug O’Neill, was last seen in the afternoons running 4th in the G1 Ashland Stakes. Before that, she turned in a 3rd in the G3 Honeybee at Oaklawn Park. Another possible for the KY Oaks. Worked this a.m. at Keeneland. Went 4 furlongs in :49 flat over the all-weather training track there. That was the bullet move out of 4 to move over the surface. Interesting play. What’s next?
  9. Rowayton, a 3YO Into Mischief colt trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, worked at Los Alamitos this morning. This guy has not been out since running 5th in an allowance at Oaklawn Park on April 13. Before that, though, he was third to Game Winner in the G1 American Pharoah Stakes at Santa Anita and second to Game Winner in the G1 Del Mar Futurity. Worked a half today in :48.80. That was 2nd best of 4. Be interesting to see where “The General” will put this one next. Has some run to him. For sure.
  10. Roadster, expected to be moved to Churchill Downs this weekend, got his last major prep for the KY Derby today at Santa Anita. The 3YO son of Quality Road — who will now be handled by Florent Geroux — went 6 furlongs in 1:13.80. that was the best of the day at the distance. Then again, it was the only horse to work that far today, as well. Looks primed. Looks ready. Will see more when he arrives.