(Chasing Time / 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. Grantham, a 3YO son of Declaration of War and a prime contender for this Saturday’s upcoming G3 Withers Stakes at Aqueduct, worked at Belmont Park this morning. The March 8 foal — who won the last time out to break the MSW at Turfway Park on Dec. 18 — went 3 furlongs over the dirt training track in a time of :38.73. That was the 28th best time out of 48 to clock the distance. Grantham was purchased for $280,000 at the OBS April Sale a year ago. Nearly won the career debut at Churchill Downs on Nov. 19. Ran 2nd to Rocket Dawg that day after spotting the winner many lengths in the early going. Last time out was impressive. Came from off the pace to win going away, by a convincing 11/2-lengths. Looking forward to seeing this one tackle Stakes company for trainer Mike Maker.
  2. Morello, a 3YO son of Classic Empire and trained by Team Asmussen, worked at Belmont Park this morning, as well. This guy — winner in his career debut at Aqueduct by a whopping 41/4 lengths when traveling just 6 furlongs over the dirt track on Nov. 27 — went 3 furlongs over the dirt training track in :37.92. That was the 8th best time out of 46. Connections paid $250,000 for Morello last year at the Fasig-Tipton Mid-Atlantic 2YO Sale. Has 7 published works now since being returned to serious training on Dec. 12. Looks primed. Ready. Set.
  3. Great Escape, a 3YO son of Midnight Storm and trained by Rudolphe Brisset, was back in action on Wednesday at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, AR. This one defeat the likes of Giant Game to break the MSW at Churchill Downs last September. Beat that one by nearly 6 lengths. Came back to run 9th in the G1 Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity at KEE after that impressive victory. Weakened in that one and was no factor. Has been off since, but got his 6th published work since being returned to serious training on Jan. 6. Went 4 furlongs over the main dirt track in :48.60. That was the 10the best time out of 91 to try the distance today. Was purchased at the 2020 Fasig-Tipton Select Yearling Sale. Be interesting to see when this one launches the 2022 campaign. Has talent. Will travel.
  4. Joy’s Rocket, a Graded Stakes-placed and winning daughter of Anthony’s Cross and trained by Asmussen, worked at Oaklawn Park this morning, as well. Went 4 furlongs in :52 flat. That was the 75th best time out of 91 to go that distance. Just ran a very game 2nd in the American Beauty Stakes here on Jan. 22. Got a little leg-stretcher is all today. Ran 2nd in the G2 Raven Run at KEE last October. Look for more out of this one soon.
  5. Texas Red Hot, a 3YO son of Texas Red and trained by Randy Morse, was also out for a little leg duty in Hot Springs today. This one — who was 4th in the Ellis Park Juvenile and 10th in the G2 KY Jockey Club Stakes last year — went 4 furlongs in :48.40. That was the 6th best time out of the 91 to go that far. Look out here. In 5 career starts, this one has 2 wins and a second. Looking for more.
  6. Yuugiri, a 3YO daughter of Shackelford and another trained by Brisset, worked this morning at Oaklawn Park. The March foal — who ran 2nd in both the Rags to Riches Stakes and the G2 Golden Rod at Churchill Downs last Fall — went a snappy 4 furlongs in :48.60. That was the 10th best time. It was also her 5th published work since Jan. 6. Looks ready. Time to go.
  7. Chasing Time, one of the prime contenders for this year’s Ky Derby and currently ranked #8 in our first “Pressbox’s KY Derby Rankings”, worked at Oaklawn Park today, as well. This son of Not This Time went 5 furlongs for Coach Steve Asmussen in 1:01.40. That was the 7th best time out of 31 to clock in at the distance. It was his 3rd morning work since Dec. 12 and first since Jan. 10. More a.m. clocks to come. Stay tuned.
  8. Classic Causeway, a 3YO son of Giant’s Causeway and currently ranked #16 in the “Pressbox’s KY Derby Rankings”, worked at the Palm Meadows Training Center in South Florida this morning. Went 7 furlongs in 1:26.05. That was the only time recorded at the distance. This one ran 2nd to Smile Happy in the G2 KY Jockey Club Stakes last November at Churchill Downs and has never been out of the money in 3 career starts, to date. Look out here. This one has real talent for a very under-rated trainer in Brian Lynch. Very. Under. Rated.