(Night Ops / 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. Elle Z, a multiple Stakes-winning daughter of City Zip and trained by Chris Hartman, was scheduled to run today at Horseshoe Indianapolis. Those plans changed dramatically when the track cancelled races today due to the extreme heat conditions that are plaguing the Midwest. Instead, the 5YO mare breezed 4 furlongs at Churchill Downs in :47.80. That was the 4th best time out of 21 to go the distance over the main dirt track. In 19 career starts now, this gal has a record of 9 wins and 3 seconds and has earned just short of $500,000.
  2. Lovemesomeme, a 4YO daughter of Painter and trained by Tommy Drury, showcased why she is so special. On May 29, in her first race in nearly a full year, she ripped off a 61/2-length victory at Churchill Downs, while racing a tough 7-furlong distance. In 4 career starts now, she has 3 wins. She breezed 4 furlongs today in :48.40 and that was the 7th best time. Look out for this one’s return. She could have a special 2022.
  3. Mr. Big News, a 5YO son of Giant’s Causeway and trained by W. Bret Calhoun, was back in the news this morning. This guy — who ran 3rd in the 2020 Kentucky Derby to Authentic — worked at Churchill Downs in preparation for his 2022 debut. The bay horse went 4 furlongs in a leisurely :52.60. That was 21st best. But just 8 days earlier, he went 3 furlongs in :35.20 — which was a bullet move. Now, he has 5 published works since being returned to serious training on May 14.  Looking forward to seeing this guy back in the races.
  4. Night Ops, a 6YO son of Warrior’s Reward and trained by Brad Cox, worked this morning at Ellis Park in West Kentucky. The little track is gearing up for its’ summer meet, which will begin after the 4th of July this year. This guy — who is just $89,000 short of becoming a millionaire on the track — went 3 furlongs in :36.80. That was the 2nd fastest time out of 10 to clock the distance and it was the horse’s first published work in the last 60 days. Last time this guy raced was on New Year’s Day at Oaklawn Park, when he was 4th in an allowance event. Best finish in 2021 was 2nd in the Alydar Stakes at Saratoga. More to come.
  5. Outadore, a 4YO roan colt by Outwork and trained by Wesley Ward, got to stretch his legs at Keeneland this morning. The Graded Stakes placed winner of 4 races in 6 starts went 5 furlongs over the main dirt track in a time of 1:03.40. That was the 2nd best time out of 3 to go that distance. Has not raced since winning the Woodstock Stakes at Woodbine last June. He did run 3rd in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at KEE in 2020. Hope this one can get back to that form again.