(Street Band in the post parade for this year’s KY Oaks / Photo by Holly M. Smith)

(Code of Honor grazing before this year’s KY Derby / Photo by Holly M. Smith)

(Improbable training before this year’s KY Derby  / 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. Kowboy Karma, a 4YO son of Kodiak Kowboy and trained by J. Larry Jones, worked this morning at Churchill Downs. The 4-time winner, who is coming off a 3rd place finish in the Kelly’s Landing Stakes under the Twin Spires, went an easy half mile in :51.60. That was the 22nd fastest time out of 26 to clock the distance. It was the gelding’s first published work in a month, and it looks like he may be cranking back up for a Fall campaign.
  2. Snapper Sinclair, a 4YO colt by City Zip and trained by Steve Asmussen, worked at Churchill Downs this morning. The 4-time winner, who has started a total of 17 times and is coming off a 3rd in the West Virginia’s Governor’s Stakes last time out, worked an easy half in :52 flat. That was 23rd best of the 26. It was his first published work since the race on Aug. 3. Look for more soon.
  3. Street Band, recent winner of the Indiana Oaks for trainer J. Larry Jones and jockey Sophie Doyle, worked this morning at Churchill Downs. The Multiple Graded Stakes winning filly pranced a nice 5 furlongs in :59.80 — which was the 2nd best time out of 19 to mark the distance. It was her second published work since the big win in Indy, and she looks primed and ready for another go soon. Not big in stature. Big in game.

Sunday’s Works:

  1. Code of Honor, a 3YO son of Noble Mission and trained by Shug McGaughey, is coming off an impressive win in the G2 Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga. Now, the question remains will the connections send him right back into deeper water in the upcoming G1 Travers Stakes at The Spa? He worked on Sunday, going a half mile in :48.26. That was the 2nd best time out of 58 to go that far. Sure looks like he is primed and ready for a huge effort. Son of Noble Mission is sitting on go.
  2. Bourbon War, a 3YO son of Tapit and trained by Mark Hennig, is working his way back to you. He trained on Sunday at Saratoga, as well, and went 5 furlongs in 1:01.55. Interesting note, though, is that it was over the turf track. Hmmm. Fifth best of 20 to train over the course. Looks promising. Looks like a future try. Can’t wait. This is a talented sort.
  3. Improbable, one of the leading contenders for this year’s Triple Crown for Team Baffert, is on the comeback trail, as well. Worked at Del Mar on Sunday, going 6 furlongs in 1:13.40. That was the 2nd best time out of 4 to go that far. Looks about ready for a return to the races soon. When he does? Watch out.