(Channel Maker / Photos by Holly M. Smith)

(Hidden Connection / Photos by Holly M. Smith)

We are back looking at the daily workout schedule from around the country. Every day (Some days?), 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 are back…Take a look:

  1. Shoplifter, a 3YO daughter of Super Saver and trained by Eddie Kenneally, may be tuning up for a run at some of the top 3YO filly Stakes at the Fair Grounds this winter and a possible run at this year’s KY Oaks. Last seen, this one ran 11th in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Fillies. But the race before she was a game 2nd in the G3 Pocahontas Stakes at Churchill Downs. Worked this morning in New Orleans. Went 3 furlongs in :37 flat. That was the 5th best time out of 16 to clock the distance, and it was the filly’s first published work since the Breeders’ Cup. Stay tuned.
  2. Hidden Connection, a 4YO daughter of Connect and trained by W. Bret Calhoun, is coming off a win here on Dec. 16. Captured a nice allowance event — going 11/16 miles — by a whopping 7 lengths. That was a nice rebound for a filly who ran 2nd in the 2022 version of the G2 Fair Grounds Oaks before being distance by Secret Oath in the G1 Longines KY Oaks. After a long layoff, this one has a third and a win now. Worked this morning in New Orleans, too. Went 5 furlongs in 1:02.20. Maintenance breeze was the 15th best out of 44 to go the distance. Look for more out of this one.
  3. Rocket Can, a 3YO son of Into Mischief and trained by HOFer Bill Mott, worked this morning at Payson Park in South Florida. The gray colt — who broke the MSW at Churchill Downs last October and came right back to run 2nd by a half-length to the well-regarded Confidence Game in an allowance in Louisville — went 3 furlongs in :36 flat. That was the bullet move out of 3 to go that distance. It was the first published work since mid-November. May want to track this one. Could be worth watching.
  4. Channel Maker, now a 9YO son of English Channel and trained by Mott, was back on the track at Payson Park, as well. This veteran and multiple Graded Stakes winner — who ran 7th in the G1 Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf in his last go — went 4 furlongs in :49.20. That was the 7th best time out of 19 to go over the track’s main dirt course. Be interesting to see where this one begins the 2023 campaign. War horse has a following.