(Out for a Spin after winning the G1 Ashland Stakes at Keeneland / 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. Pink Sands, a 4YO Tapit filly trained by Shug McGaughey for the Gainesway Stables, worked this morning at Belmont Park. The filly, who ran 4th in the G2 Inside Information Stakes last time out when making her Stakes debut, went an easy half mile in :51.18. That was 12th best of 18 to go the distance. This filly has a 3-3-2 record in 11 career starts, and if she can get Stakes placed? Broodmare. Extraordinare.
  2. Hofburg, the “hot horse” for KY Derby 2018 and trained by Bill Mott, worked at Churchill Downs this morning. The 4YO son of Tapit went an easy 3 furlongs in :38 flat, in his first published outing since running 6th in the G2 Fayette Stakes at Keeneland last October. In 8 career starts, he has a record of 2-1-1 and purse earnings of nearly $500,000. Better things to come in 2019, hopefully.
  3. Covfefe, a brilliantly fast 3YO Into Mischief filly trained by Brad Cox, worked at Churchill Downs this morning, as well. The filly, who has 2 wins in 3 career starts and is coming off an impressive win in allowance company at Keeneland on April 6, went an easy half mile in :50.80. That was 33rd of 33 to go the distance. But not worry. She has gas. To burn.
  4. Out for a Spin, upset winner of the G1 Ashland Stakes last time out at Keeneland, worked for trainer Dallas Stewart this morning at Churchill Downs. The Hard Spun filly went a half mile in :49.20. That was 14th best of the 33. This one now has won two in a row and rolls into the KY Oaks with a ton of momentum. Watch out for this one, who was RNA’d as a 2YO for a modest $50,000. Bargain time.
  5. Passion Play, another Virginia-bred trained by Stewart, worked brilliantly at Churchill Downs this morning. The maiden went 4 furlongs in a bullet :48 flat. In 4 lifetime starts to date, he has 2 seconds and a third. Look for this one to break the maiden soon. Talent here.
  6. Manny Wah, a consistent performer on the Triple Crown Trail at the Fair Grounds this winter for trainer Wayne Catalano, worked this morning under the Twin Spires. Went 5 furlongs in 1:01 flat — which was the 9th best time out of 15 to go that far. Ran 6th in the G2 Risen Star after a 3rd in the G3 LeComte Stakes in New Orleans. May shorten up a bit and be readied for the Pat Day Mile on KY Derby Day. Look for confirmation soon.
  7. Winter Sunset, a spectacular Tapit filly trained by Catalano, also worked this morning in Louisville. Worked 5 furlongs in a brisk :58.80. That was the bullet move out of the 15. In 3 starts this year, to begin the career, she won the first two and then ran a huge third in the tough, tough G3 Florida Oaks. This one is for real.
  8. Bodexpress, runner-up in the G1 Florida Derby as a maiden for trainer Gustavo Delgado, worked at Gulfstream Park West this morning in preparation for this year’s KY Derby. The son of Bodemeister went a half mile in :48.60. According to Equibase, he was the only horse to work over the surface this morning by the 10:23 a.m. mark. Still a maiden after 5 career starts, although he does have 3 seconds on the card now.