(Nadal / Photo Courtesy of Oaklawn Park)

(Kimari / 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.

  1. Mae Never No, a 4YO daughter of No Nay Never and trained by Wesley Ward, worked at Keeneland this morning. The Stakes-winning filly — who has a 3-2-4 record in 11 career starts and has earned over $180,000 to date — went 5 furlongs in Lexington. Covered the distance in a time of 1:02.40. That was the 4th best clocking out of 16 to test the distance. It was the 6th published work for the filly since being returned to serious training on Feb. 5. Still looking to make the 2020 debut.
  2. Kimari, a 3YO daughter of Munnings and another talented runner handled by Ward, worked at Keeneland this morning, as well. The gal — who finished 4th in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint against the boys last November in her last start — went 5 furlongs in 1:00.80. That was the bullet move out of 16 to go the distance. This was her 7th published work out since Feb. 9. Stay tuned. Looks ready.
  3. Basin, a 3YO son of Liam’s Map and a top contender for this year’s Triple Crown races (whenever they are contested), worked at Oaklawn Park this morning for trainer Steve Asmussen. The colt — who ran a solid 3rd in the G2 Rebel Stakes in his 2020 debut and first race since winning the G1 Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga last September — travelled 5 furlongs in 1:01.60. That was the 8th best time out of 16 to go the distance. This one should be a little more cranked for the upcoming G1 Arkansas Derby the first Saturday in May. Take note of his works over the next few weeks.
  4. Excession, a 3YO son of Union Rags and another talented 3YO in the barn of Team Asmussen, worked at Oaklawn Park this morning, as well. The Calumet Farm-owned colt — who ran 2nd in the G2 Rebel Stakes as a huge longshot — went 5 furlongs in 1:00.80. That was the 2nd best time out of the 16. This one appears to be getting better and better. Has only 1 win in 9 starts to date, but has a second and 3 thirds on the resume, too. Watch for more development out of this one.
  5. Shoplifted, a 3YO son of Into Mischief and also trained by the Asmussen team, worked this morning in Hot Springs, too. The colt — who has not run since finishing 4th in the G3 Southwest Stakes — went the same 5 furlongs distance as his two roommates. He covered the ground in 1:01.60, along with Basin. In 7 career starts, this one has a 2-1-1  record and does have a win in the Remington Springboard Mile and a 2nd behind teammate Basin in the Hopeful. Could be another hopeful for the Arkansas Derby next. Stay tuned.
  6. Improbable, a Graded Stakes winner of the G1 Los Alamitos Cash Call Futurity back in 2018 and the 4th place finisher in the 2019 KY Derby — worked at Santa  Anita this morning for trainer Bob Baffert. The 4YO son of City Zip went a nice half mile in :47 flat. That was the bullet move out of 63 to go the distance. Impressive. Very impressive this morning.
  7. Nadal, one of the many 3YO superstars and  shining star of the “Baffert Bunch” this spring, worked at Santa Anita this afternoon, as well. The son of Blame went 4 furlongs in :49.60 — which was the 39th best out of 63 to go the distance. The big bay colt — who didn’t start his racing career until Jan. 19 of this year — is a perfect 3-for-3 and is coming off a nice win in the G2 Rebel Stakes last time out. Will be interesting to see how this one shapes up against the rest in the barn — when they finally have to face off against each other.