(Out for a Spin after winning the G1 Ashland Stakes / 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. Bourbon War, one of the highly-touted and my most favorite upset specials for this year’s Kentucky Derby, will be watching this year’s 145th running from his stall in New York. Along with his hard-luck and talented trainer Mark Hennig. Could have won the darn thing. Ran a huge second in the Fountain of Youth. Ran a game fourth against a speed bias track in the Florida Derby. Neither of the first two in that race will be able to see the finish line by the time the winner crosses this year (in my opinion). But. Bourbon War will not get the chance. Worked this morning at Belmont, in his first move since being transported North. Went a half mile in :48.33. That was 9th best of the 47 to go the distance. Will likely go next in the Peter Pan. Could be a heck of a race. I love this horse. Hope for the best.
  2. Out for a Spin, upset winner of the G1 Ashland Stakes at Keeneland, toured the Churchill Downs oval this morning in final serious prep for the KY Oaks. The 3YO daughter of Hard Spun went an easy half mile in :49.80 over the dirt tack. That was 12th best of 21. In 5 career starts now, Out for a Spin has 3 wins and a third. Comes into the Oaks with a two-race win streak and 3 wins in the last 4 outs. Trainer Dallas Stewart had to go shopping for a new rider, after the long suspension of the reckless Paco Lopez was levied. Has landed on Irad Ortiz, Jr. Best in the land, right now. Not a bad option, at all.
  3. Avie’s Flatter, a 3YO daughter of Flatter and trained by the talented Josie Carroll, worked at Keeneland this morning. This gal — who was awesome in winning the G3 Transylvania Stakes at Keeneland earlier this meet, and now has 4 wins in 5 career starts — went 5 furlongs over the dirt surface in 1:00.40. That was 2nd best out of 12 to go the distance. What a runner this one has turned out to be. Only loss came in the G1 Summer Stakes in her second career start last September. Nothing but aces in the others.
  4. Jaywalk, the spectacular winner of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies last November at Churchill Downs, worked towards the KY Oaks at Keeneland today. The 3YO daughter of Cross Traffic — trained by John Servis — went 5 furlongs in a brisk :59.20. That was the bullet move out of 12 to go the distance. This gal has been a mastery this year, after winning 4 in a row to finish the 2018 juvenile year. Ran a dull 4th in the G2 Davona Dale at GP on March 2. Followed that with a perplexing 3rd in the G1 Ashland. Never seemed in the mix that day, either. Now, will face the toughest race of her life? Not for me.