(King Guillermo / Photo by Coady Photography & Courtesy of Churchill Downs)

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. King Guillermo, a 3YO son of Uncle Mo and trained by Juan Carlos Avila, worked another brilliant loop at Churchill Downs on Saturday morn. This year’s “Derby Hot Horse” (I’ve never, ever seen one of them win, by the way) went 5 furlongs in a quick, electric :58.20. That was easily the bullet move out of 40 to go the distance. Just a week ago, he went the same 5 furlong distance in :59.40. So, over a second faster this time around. In 5 career starts to date, King has a 2-1-1 record and is coming off a 2nd to the grand Nadal in a division of the G1 Arkansas Derby. But? He has not raced since the first Saturday in May.  It will be 4 full months of “down time” before the “First Saturday in September” and this year’s KY Derby. Wow. Just? Wow.
  2. Mr Freeze, a 5YO son of To Honor and Serve and trained by Dale Romans, has won over $1.437 million in a very distinguished career to date and worked at Churchill Downs this morning, too. The horse went an easy half mile in :49 flat, which was the 8th best time out of 40 to go the distance. In his last start, Mr Freeze ran 6th in the G1 Met Mile on July 4. Before that, he was 3rd in the G2 Oaklawn Handicap. But in 14 career starts, he has a 5-4-2 record and should be sharp for the return. This was his first published work since the last race and first in over a month. More to come here.
  3. Lady Edith, a 2YO filly by Street Boss and trained by the top young conditioner Tommy Drury for great friend Dr. David Richardson, worked this morning under the Twin Spires, as well. She went a half mile in :48.60 — which was the 5th best time. Do yourself a favor. Put this one on your “Watch List.” This homebred broke her maiden on debut at Ellis Park on July 18. Ran off to a 21/4-length win in the 5.5-furlong event over the grass. More to come with this one. Lots. More.
  4. Dos Vinos, a 4YO daughter of Twirling Candy and trained by W. Bret Calhoun, breezed over the Churchill Downs’ main track this morning. Went 5 furlongs in 1:04 flat. A fast gallop. That was the 38th best time out of 40. But just 8 days ago, she went 5 furlongs in a bullet :59.80. Fit and ready. In two starts this year, she has two wins. In 5 career starts, she has 3 wins, a second and a third. Look for Stakes company for this one soon.
  5. War of Will, winner of the 2019 Preakness Stakes and most recently the winner of the G1 Maker’s Mark Mile over the grass at Keeneland, worked at Churchill Downs this morning for trainer Mark Casse. The 4YO son of War Front went 5 furlongs in a brilliant :59 flat today. That was the 2nd best time out of 40 to clock the distance. G1 winner on both dirt and grass. Amazing talent.
  6. Whitmore, now a 7O son of Pleasantly Perfect and trained expertly by Ron Moquett, worked this morning under the Twin Spires. Went 5 furlongs in a workmanlike 1:02.60. That was 34th best of the 40. In 4 starts this year, the “old man” has 2 wins and 2 seconds. Coming off a non-threatening 2nd in the G1 Alfred G. Vanderbilt at Saratoga on July 25. Guy has won over $3.1 million now. Still ticking.
  7. Monomoy Girl, a 5YO daughter of Tapizar and one of the sport’s most wonderful and talented fillies to ever grace the track, worked at Churchill Downs for trainer Brad Cox. The amazing mare has started 13 times in her career. Has 11 wins and 2 seconds (debatable). She has won over $3.086 million and a championship. She won the G2 Ruffian Stakes at Belmont Park on July 11 in her last start. Breezed 6 furlongs today in 1:13 flat. that was the 4th best time out of 10. Amazing.
  8. Owendale, a mucho-talented 4YO son of Into Mischief and also trained by Cox, worked this morning at Churchill. Breezed 6 furlongs in 1:13.40 today. That was 6th best of 10. In his last outing, Owendale was 5th behind the grand Tom’s d’Etat in the G2 Stephen Foster at Churchill Downs. But in 16 lifetime starts, he has a resume of 6-2-2 and has earned over $1.1 million. Should rebound in style. Look for that next race here.
  9. Shedaresthedevil, a 3YO filly that Brad Cox and connections bought for a modest $280,000 at the 2019 KEE November Breeding Stock Sale and is now a prime contender for this year’s KY Oaks, worked 6 furlongs today, as well. Went the distance in a tidy 1:11.60 — which was the bullet time of the day. In her last start, Shedaresthedevil won the G3 Indiana Oaks. Has been prepping here, at home, for the upcoming KY Oaks the first week of September. Do not dismiss this one. She has run-ability.
  10. Katesaluckygirl, a 2YO daughter of Uncle Lino and a half-sister to the very nice and unlucky Prince Lucky, is working her way to the racetrack in the afternoons. The filly, owned by Daniel W. McConnell, Sr., breezed 3 furlongs over the dirt track at Belmont Park this morning. Went the distance in :37.50. That was the 6th best time out of 28. She is trained by Todd Pletcher. Bears watching and tracking.
  11. Gamine, the amazingly fast 3YO daughter of Into Mischief and a prime contender for this year’s KY Oaks, worked at Del Mar this morning for trainer Bob Baffert. The filly, who has 3 wins in 4 career starts with the only loss being a DQ, worked a very nice 5 furlongs in 1:00.80. That was the 15th best time out of 74 to go that far. My choice to not only win the KY Oaks, but a chance to face the boys in the Preakness Stakes. Perhaps? I’m hoping.
  12. Improbable, a 4YO son of City Zip and trained by Team Baffert, worked at Del Mar, as well. The winner of the G1 Whitney Stakes in his last start went the distance today in 1:00.40. That was the 11th best. This guy has won two G1s in a row now and may now just be hitting his best stride. More in this tank.
  13. Spielberg, a 2YO son of Union Rags and also coached by Team Baffert, worked at Del Mar today, as well. Went 5 furlongs in a brilliant :59.60 — the 2nd best time out of the grouping. In his only start to date, he finished 2nd. That won’t last long. Should find the circle next time out. Take note of this one and the horse that beat him, too — Dr. Schivel. You should see them both again. Soon.
  14. Storm the Court, winner of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile last November and still winless in 5 starts this year for trainer Peter Eurton, worked in prep for this year’s KY Derby. Went 5 furlongs in :59 flat at Del Mar today. That was the bullet move out of the 74. Just ran 2nd in the G3 La Jolla Handicap over the Del Mar grass on Aug. 9. Strange prep. But these are strange times, too.