(Bango after winning the Aristides Stakes / Photos by Holly M. Smith)

(Diamond Solitaire / Photo by Gene McLean)

(Nearly?) 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. Amalfi Princess, a 3YO daughter of Temple City and trained by Mike Maker, worked at the Churchill Downs training center in Louisville this morning. The Graded Stakes-placed winner turned in a 5-furlong move over the dirt surface in 1:02.80. That was the only time recorded for the distance early this morn. This one ran third to Twenty Carat in the G3 Beaumont Stakes at KEE this April. In 8 lifetime starts, has only one win. But does have 3 seconds and two thirds on the resume, too. Just ran 2nd in the Penn Oaks on May 28. Looks ready for a return.
  2. Urban Fairytale, a 4YO Virginia-bred daughter of Distorted Humor and trained by Ian Wilkes, worked at Keeneland this morning. The Stakes-placed filly — who is out of the Galileo mare Fairytale Ending — went an easy half-mile in :48.40. That was over the AW surface and was the only move recorded over the track. Last time out was April 27 at Churchill Downs. Ran third that day in allowance company to run the record to 1-2-2 in the first 10 starts of the career. Has a 2nd on the resume in the Northbound Pride Oaks at Canterbury Park last July, too.
  3. Defeater, a 3YO son of Union Rags and trained by Tom Amoss, worked this morning at Churchill Downs. This one — who has a win and a second in the only two previous tries — went an easy 3 furlongs in :37.60. It was the first published work since his last race — which was way back in February. This one cost the connections a reasonable $210,000 at the 2019 KEE September Yearling Sale. Broke the MSW on first ask by an impressive 21/4-lengths. Came right back to run a fast-closing 2nd to Big Lake in the second start. Beat some good ones in that affair. Been off since then. Look for more out of this one in the near future. Talent there.
  4. Bango, a 4YO son of Congrats and a recent winner of the Aristides Stakes at Churchill Downs on May 29 for trainer Greg Foley, was back on the work tab this morning in Louisville. Colt breezed 4 furlongs in :48.00 flat in his first published move since the Stakes win. That was the 9th best time out of 31 to clock the distance. In 17 career starts now, Bango has a record of 6-1-1 and has career earnings of nearly $400,000. Look for more.
  5. Yaupon, a 4YO son of Uncle Mo and a multiple Graded Stakes winner in the barn of HOF trainer Steve Asmussen, worked this morning at Churchill Downs. Went 5 furlongs in a brisk and impressive time of :59.80 from the gate. That was the 2nd best move out of the first 4 to test the distance. Last start for this one came in Dubai in late March. Before that? Ran 8th in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint. Before that? Won the first 4 races of the career. May try to get back on track soon. Today’s work was the 5th published move since May 10. Looks about ready to fire.
  6. Diamond Solitaire, our very own 3YO daughter of Majestic Harbor and trained by Stephen Lyster, tuned up for next week’s appointment at Indiana Grand, with a nice 4-furlong move at The Thoroughbred Center in Lexington this a.m. The filly, who won her last race and now heads into the 11/16-mile Indiana-bred and Indiana-sired Stakes event, clocked the 4-furlong tuneup in :48.80 and galloped out in 1:02 & change. Just what the man holding the clock wanted. Enter tomorrow for the June 23 event. Just knocking on some wood right now. Literally. Just hoping to stay healthy and happy.