(Long Range Toddy worked at Churchill Downs on Monday / Photo by Holly M. Smith)

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. Bar Harbor, a 3YO colt by Orby and trained by Shug McGaughey for owner Stuart Janney II, worked this morning at Belmont Park. The colt — who broke his maiden in the send career start at Keeneland on April 13 — went an easy half-mile in :49.89. That was 23rd fastest out of the 28, but it was purely a maintenance move. This is a son of KY Derby winner Orb — who was bred and owned by the Janney family and trained by McGaughey. Would be nice to see them have the same kind of luck with one of Orb’s sons. Could be the one.
  2. Catholic Boy, a talented son of More Than Ready and a Graded Stakes winner on both grass and dirt for trainer Jonathan Thomas, worked this morning at Belmont Park, as well. The 4YO went a very nice 5 furlongs in 1:00.59. That was the bullet move out of 5 to go the distance. The last time he raced was in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Churchill Downs last November, when he was 13th. Before that, though, he had won three in a row — including two Grade 1s. Today’s work was the 5th published move since he returned to serious training on March 22. Should be ready to pop soon. Has already earned over $1.8 million in purses, and could be the best older horse in training right now.
  3. Long Range Toddy, a 3YO son of Take Charge Indy and trained by Steve Asmussen, was one of the last contenders for this year’s Kentucky Derby to get a major work in. He did his last major preparation this morning, going a quick half-mile in :47.80. That was the 5th best time out of 40 to make the distance. In 8 career starts to date, Long Rage Toddy has 4 wins, 1 second, and 1 third. Yet, he is considered a longshot and big outsider for this Saturday’s “Run for the Roses.” Won a division of the G2 Rebel Stakes two starts back, beating Improbable. Came back to run a disappointing 6th in the G1 Arkansas Derby. He pressed the pace a little too much in that one, though, and it will be interesting to see how he rebounds for this 11/4-mile event. Strangely enough, has never raced over the Churchill Downs track, as of yet, despite the fact that he stays here much of the year. Interesting.
  4. Restless Rider, runner-up in the G1 Ashland Stakes in her last outing and her 2019 debut, worked this morning at Churchill Downs in final preparation for this Friday’s KY Oaks. She went an easy half-mile in :49.60, which was 23rd fastest out of the 40 to cover the distance. In 7 career starts, Restless Rider has never been worse than second. Has 3 wins, and 4 runner-ups — including three in a row. Unfortunately, she drew the #14 hole for the KY Oaks on Friday. Tough, tough, tough spot. But Monomoy Girl won it from there a year ago. Remember?
  5. Tenfold, third to the great Triple Crown winner Justify in the Preakness Stakes a year ago, was back in action at Churchill Downs on Monday. The 4YO son of Curlin went 5 furlongs in 1:01.60, which was 5th best out of 9 to clock that distance. Has not been great in either of his 2019 starts to date. Ran 4th in an allowance at the Fair Grounds, before finishing 7th in the G2 Oaklawn Handicap on April 13. What’s in store next? Interesting developments.
  6. Henley’s Joy, one of the best 3YO turf horses around, trained at the Churchill Downs’ Training Center in Louisville on Monday. The Kitten’s Joy colt breezed an easy half-mile in :49.60. That was the 7th best time out of 10 to go that far. In three starts this year, Henley’s Joy has run two seconds and a disappointing 10th in the G2 Risen Star — when he was moved to the dirt. Look for him later this week on the CD turf. He’s better than the 13th he posted at Churchill Downs on Nov. 2 in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf. Much, much, much better.
  7. Bodexpress, runner-up in the Florida Derby and still on the outside looking into the KY Derby field at this point, worked at Gulfstream Park West this morning for trainer Gustavo Delgado. The maiden has not won in 5 career starts, but does have 3 seconds on the resume. Second in the last two outs. He travelled 5 furlongs in 1:03.15 this morning at GPW, and that was the only time for the distance. Look out if this one gets in the KY Derby. Has the speed to burn out front, as well
  8. Maximum Security, winner of the Florida Derby and the last horse not to travel yet to Louisville for Saturday’s Kentucky Derby, got his last prep in at the Palm Meadows Training Center in South Florida this morning. Went an easy half mile in :53.80. That was 6th best of 6 to go the distance. Just a curtain call before making the trip. Soon to arrive.