(Elite Power after winning the Breeders’ Cup Spring at Keeneland / Coady Photography)

Every day, we scour the work tabs at racetracks all over the country to see who may be preparing for their next race.  Some of the horses that we track will be familiar to you.  Some of them, though, you may not know — but should.  We will note their current morning prep and make other comments about their backgrounds and pedigrees.  If you have a horse that you would like to add to our list, please let us know.

Here is a closer look at today’s list:

  1. Teena Ella, a 3YO daughter of War Front and out of the grand and great racing filly Beholder, worked at Santa Anita this morning. The gal — who has a 3rd on the resume after the first two starts — went 4 furlongs for trainer Richard Mandella in a brisk :47.60. That was the bullet move out of the first 5 to try the distance this a.m. This beautiful lady ran 6th on debut at Del Mar last November and recently returned with a 3rd at Santa Anita on Jan. 6. Was beaten a little over 6 lengths that day by her stablemate, Coffee in Bed, who was nearly 20-1 odds. A heavily favored duo trained by Bob Baffert were last and next-to-last in the field of 6. Here’s hoping this daughter of the great Beholder can carry on the tradition.
  2. Phelpsy, a 3YO son of Into Mischief who cost $1,000,000 at the 2021 KEE September Yearling Sale and is now in the barn of Chad Brown, worked on Wednesday morn at Payson Park in South Florida. The colt went 3 furlongs in :37.40, which was the 6th best time out of 14 to go the distance. In the first two starts of the career — both last year — this colt ran 5th on debut at Saratoga and returned to be 6th at Belmont At the Big A meet. Not a great start for this dazzler as a yearling. But Wednesday’s move was just the 2nd serious work back after being returned to the track on Jan. 17. Look for more out of this one. Put on the “Watch List.”
  3. Elite Power, winner of the 2022 Breeders’ Cup Sprint at KEE lat November and now a 5YO son of Curlin, was on the move Wednesday at Payson Park, as well. This guy — who has won 5 in a row now — went 4 furlongs in :48.80 in his 4th straight exercise since being returned to serious training in early January. Wednesday’s move was the fastest of 17 to go that far. Look out. Looks primed and ready to fire.
  4. Signator, a 3YO son of Tapit and trained by HOFer Shug McGaughey, is another youngster you should put on the “Watch List.” This one ran twice as a juvenile and broke the MSW in the 2nd career start at Belmont At the Big A on Oct. 14. Won that 1-mile event by nearly 5 lengths. Got his 3rd work since being returned to serious training on New Year’s Eve on Wednesday at Payson Park. Went 4 furlongs in :49.40. That was 6th best of 17. Would not surprise many if this one pops up in the Stakes races soon. Look out.