(Liora, on the rail with the jockey in the red cap, in the Golden Rod Stakes at Churchill Downs / Photo 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.  We will keep a keen eye and stopwatch to see who may be working well:

  1. Holy Helena, a 5YO Ghostzapper mare trained by Jimmy Jerkens, worked this morning at Belmont Park. The mare breezed 3 furlongs in :37.26 — which was the 16th best time out of 33 to go that distance this morning at the “Big Sandy.” It was her 7th published work since she won the G3 The Very One Stakes at Gulfstream Park on March 2. In her career, to date, she has raced 16 times for the Stronach Stables, and has composed a tidy 7-3-2 mark and has earned over $1.75 million in purses. Ready to roll soon.
  2. Chase the Ghost, a 3YO Ghostzapper colt trained by Dallas Stewart, looked to be on the Triple Crown Trail earlier this year. Disappointed a might, in that endeavor, with a 6th in the G3 LeComte Stakes; a 9th in the G2 Risen Star; and a 10th in the G3 Lexington Stakes. Came back to run a nice second against allowance company on KY Oaks Day. Worked a half mile today — going the distance in a maintenance time of :49.40. That was 20th best of 52 to clock the distance.
  3. Enforceable, a 2YO Tapit colt trained by Mark Casse for owner John Oxley, worked this morning at Churchill Downs, as well. Put in a nice half mile in :48 flat. That was 6th best of the 52. Has one start on the resume, so far. Ran second at Churchill on May 2. Look for more next time out.
  4. Liora, a beautiful 3YO daughter of Candy Ride and runner-up to the spectacular Serengeti Empress in the G1 KY Oaks last time out for trainer Wayne Catalano, worked this morning under the Twin Spires. She went an easy half mile in :49 flat. That was 14th best of the 52 to try out this morning. In 8 tries to date, she has a record of 2-3-1 and has finished second three starts in a row. Second to Serengeti Empress in both the G2 Rachel Alexandra and the KY Oaks. Second to Street Band in the G2 Fair Grounds Oaks in-between. Obviously, she is a game one.
  5. Award Winner, a 3YO Ghostzapper colt trained by Brian Lynch, worked this morning in Lexington at the Keeneland oval. Blew out 3 furlongs in :37.20 over the main dirt track. That was 8th best of 14 to get timed at the distance. This one is entered to run in an allowance event at Churchill Downs on Sunday. In 5 tries so far, he has a 1-1-1 record. Beware. This one appears headed for Stakes company soon.
  6. Surrender Now. a 4YO Morning Line filly trained by Peter Miller, ran 4th in the Unbridled Sydney Stakes at Churchill Downs during Derby Week festivities. Is a Stakes winner, having won the Landaluce Stakes at Santa Anita in 2017. In 9 career starts, she has 4 wins and 1 third. On Thursday, she breezed 3 furlongs in :36.60. That was 4th best of the 14. Keep an eye on this one. Talented. When she’s right? She pops.