(Omaha Beach winning the Arkansas Derby / Photo Courtesy of Oaklawn Park)

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. Omaha Beach, the talented son of War Front and winner of both a division of the G2 Rebel Stakes and the G2 Arkansas Derby for trainer Richard Mandella, got his final major tuneup for the Kentucky Derby next Saturday this morning at Churchill Downs. The colt went 5 furlongs in an impressive :59 flat. That was recorded as the 2nd fastest time out of 43 to work that distance this morning. Was there at the barn when the trainer reviewed a recording of the work. “Loved it,” said Mandella.
  2. War of Will, another son of War Front and another top contender for the 145th running of the KY Derby next Saturday, logged his last major work for the “Run for the Roses” today, as well. Went a half mile in :47.60 — which was the bullet move out of 78 horses to work that distance. The G2 Risen Star champ stumbled, slipped, swerved and struggled in the Louisiana Derby in the last out. Looks recovered now. “Wow time,” said trainer Mark Casse.
  3. Signalman, third place finisher in the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes in his last start for trainer Ken McPeek, worked this morning at Churchill Downs. The General Quarters colt went 5 furlongs in 1:00 flat. That was 6th best of 43 to go the distance. Looks like this one may not have the points to get in the Derby. Ran well over this track last Fall, too. Could be a factor late, if he gets in. But that’s the biggest question right now over anything else. Can he get in?
  4. Break Even, a ultra-talented 3YO son of Country Day and trained by Brad Cox, worked this morning in Louisville. The undefeated colt went an easy half mile in :49.40. That was 51st out of the 78. But he doesn’t need much sharpening. Won the Purple Mountain Stakes at Oaklawn Park in his last outing on March 30. That made him a perfect 3-for-3 to start the career. Pat Day Mile next?
  5. Chocolate Kisses, a 3Yo daughter of Candy Ride and a contender for this year’s KY Oaks, worked this morning under the Twin Spires. Went a half mile in :48 flat, which was 11th best of the 78. Didn’t fire in the G1 Ashland Stakes in the last out, but was very impressive in winning the G3 Honeybee Stakes at Oaklawn Park the time before for the barn of Mark Casse. Can she rebound? We shall see.
  6. Newspaperofrecord, an undefeated winner of 3 for the barn of Chad Brown, is working towards her 2019 debut. The multiple Graded Stakes-winning Lope De Vega filly worked a half mile over the dirt in :49.80. That was 59th best of 78. It was the 7th published work since she returned to serious training on March 16 at Palm Meadows Training Center. In her last race, she won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Churchill Downs on Nov. 2. Look for her return to be spectacular.
  7. Dunbar Road, a 3YO daughter of Quality Road and trained by Chad Brown, is still hunting for a spot in this year’s KY Oaks field. Trained this morning at Churchill Downs, going 5 furlongs in 1:01.60. That was 22nd best of the 43. In just two career starts, she has a win and a second to the super nice Champagne Anyone in the G2 Gulfstream Park Oaks. Look and hope.
  8. McKinzie, a real talent in the barn of Bob Baffert, was magnificent this a.m. The colt went 5 furlongs in :58.60 — a bullet out of the 43. The 4YO son of Street Sense is coming off back-to-back seconds in the G2 San Pasqual and the G1 Santa Anita Handicap. Look for a Derby Day appearance from this guy — who has already bankrolled $1.243 million.
  9. Plus Que Parfait, who wiggled his name and game into this year’s KY Derby field by shipping to Dubai and winning the UAE Derby, worked this morning at Churchill Downs for trainer Brendan Walsh. The son of Point of Entry went 5 furlongs in his last major prep for the KY Derby in 1:02 flat. That was 28th best of the 43 to go. In 7 career starts, he has a record of 2-1-2.