(Improbable will run next in the Preakness Stakes this Saturday / 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. American Anthem, a 5YO Bodemeister colt trained by Bob Baffert, made his 2019 debut on KY Oaks Day and ran a game second in an allowance event. Tired mightily in that one, but it was his first race since last July. Came back to work at Churchill Downs on Monday. Went an easy half mile in :49.80. That was 35th out of 69 to work the distance. Look for more in the subsequent starts. Good to see this one — who has earned nearly $700,000 in his career — back at the races.
  2. Elate, the beautiful 5YO mare by Medaglia d’Oro and trained by Bill Mott, worked at Churchill Downs on Monday, as well. The multiple Graded Stakes winner has raced twice this year, with a third the G1 Apple Blossom Stakes at Oaklawn Park the last time out. She worked an easy half mile in :51 flat on Monday. That was 54th best out of the 69.
  3. Haunt, a half-brother to Elate and by Ghostzapper, worked on Monday, too. He broke his maiden last time out at Churchill Downs, on May 3, and now will move up to face winners for the first time. This guy, trained by Mott, as well, worked a half in :48.20. That was the 3rd best time out of the 69. Light bulb moment in the last out? We shall see.
  4. Improbable, a 3YO colt by City Zip and trained by Bob Baffert, will make his next start this Saturday in the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico. Mike Smith will take the riding assignment. Undefeated as a 2YO, Improbable is winless so far this year. Ran 2nd in both the Rebel Stakes and the Arkansas Derby, before being elevated to 4th in the KY Derby. Iran Ortiz, Jr., who rode him in the Derby, will stay on Bourbon War in the Preakness. On Monday, Improbable got his last tuneup before being shipped to Baltimore. He breezed an easy half mile in :51.80 — which was the 59th fastest time out of the 69 to go. Ready. Aim.
  5. McKinzie, an impressive winner of the G2 Alysheba Stakes on KY Derby Day for trainer Bob Baffert, returned to the work tab on Monday, as well. He went a half in :49 flat. That was 16th best of the 69. Looks like he is fully amped up. He’s been first or second 9 times out of 10 races. The only miss was a debacle in the 2018 Breeders’ Cup Classic. Looks fully reformed.
  6. Mitole, perhaps the fastest horse in training today, worked at Churchill Downs on Monday. The 4YO son of Eskendereya, who has won 6 races in a row and now 7 out of 10 tries, worked a half in :50.80. That was 51st on the list. His race in the Churchill Downs Stakes on Derby Day? Scintillating.