(Trainer Dallas Stewart, on the left, trains Chess Chief / 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. Chess Chief, a 3YO colt by Into Mischief and trained by Dallas Stewart, worked this morning at Churchill Downs. The talented colt — who has won only once in 10 career starts, but is coming off a second to Mr. Money in the West Virginia Derby — breezed a strong half mile in :48 flat under the Twin Spires. That was the bullet move out of 36 to breeze that distance this morning. This one may be turning the page on his development. After all, he is an April 24th foal. Look for more next time out.
  2. Wasabi Girl, a talented and quick 2YO filly by Shanghai Bobby, worked for trainer Steve Asmussen this morning at Churchill Downs. The filly — who has two seconds and a win in her last start at Ellis Park — went an easy half mile in :51 flat. That was the 29th best time out of the 36. Maintenance move. Will move up to face winners next out. May be a good one.
  3. Lamartine, a Brazilian-bred son of Shanghai Bobby and also trained by Steve Asmussen, worked this morning at Churchill Downs, as well. This 4YO — who was a Group 1 winner in Argentina before being shipped to the States — was 4th in the Warrior Veterans Stakes last time out on July 13 at Indy Grand. In 4 starts in NA, he has a win in an allowance at Churchill Downs on June 20. Went 5 furlongs this morning in a brisk 1:00.80. That was the 7th best time out of 35. May want to keep an eye on this one. Looks like he may be settling in now.
  4. Whiskey Victor, a 3YO son of Scat Daddy and trained by Wesley Ward, worked under the Twin Spires this morning, too. And, he was impressive. This one went 5 furlongs in :59.20, which was the bullet move out of the 35 to work that distance. This one — who cost $500,000 to purchase at the KEE September Sale in 2017 — broke his maiden at Belterra last time out. Belterra. That came on the heels off a 6th place finish on debut at Belmont Park on June 1. Won that race in Cincy by a neck as the favorite. Interesting horse here. Bears watching. Not betting. Watching.
  5. Mucho Gusto, a 3YO son of Mucho Macho Man and runner-up to Maximum Security in the G1 Haskell Invitational last time out, worked at Del Mar this morning for trainer Bob Baffert. Went 5 furlongs in :59.20, which was the bullet move out of 23 to go that distance this morning. What with the defection of both Game Winner and Maximum Security from consideration for the G1 Travers Stakes at Saratoga now, it may be interesting to see if Team Baffert ships this one East or not. Stay tuned.