Every day, we scour the work tabs all over the country to try and find horses that may be working up to a good run.  Some of them, you will know.  Some of them, though, you probably won’t know.  We try to find information that may help you handicap your races in the future.

Here is a closer look at today’s actions:

  1. Aquamarine, a 3YO colt trained by “The Coach” Wayne Lukas, has had an interesting couple of months.  After being shipped East, he ran very well in his first couple of starts for his new trainer — including a promising second in the G2 Woody Stephens on the Belmont Stakes under-card.  We touted him that day at some serious odds and cashed handsomely.  He was then shipped to KY for the F-T HORA Sale, where he was NOT sold due to the fact that the reserve price was not retained. So, he was shipped back to NY and Lukas.  And, soon after his arrival, he was entered and ran in the G2 Amsterdam Stakes at Saratoga on July 29.  But it was another event.  He was rank in the paddock, and ran off in the post parade.  To be expected, he did not perform well; was gassed early on; and was pulled up before the wire.  Since then, he has worked twice — including one bullet.  On Friday, he went 4Fs at Saratoga in a more reasonable :49.98 — which was 19th best out of 38 to try the distance. Watch for this one to be entered back soon.  If reasonably placed and he behaves himself, I will be betting — again.
  2. Cowboy Culture, a 3YO turf specialist, worked this morning at Churchill Downs, going 4Fs in :48.80.  That was 16th best out of 66.  This one, by Quality Road, hasn’t been seen in the afternoons since he easily and impressively captured the G3 Arlington Classic at the end of May.  He had his sixth published work since June today, and should be ready for a return to the “real stuff” soon — perhaps at Kentucky Downs?
  3. Excitations, a very nice 3YO colt by Into Mischief, was back on the track at Saratoga today, working 4Fs in a maintenance time of :50.44.  That was 11th best out of 15 today. After an impressive spring — when he lost a nose decision to Haskell winner Girvin in a MSW event at The Fairgrounds — he righted the ship with a solid second in the G2 Amsterdam in his last out.  Should be ready for a repeat performance very soon for trainer Al Stall.
  4. Paradise Woods, the winner of the Santa Anita Derby who disappointed as the favorite in the Kentucky Oaks, was back in training on Friday, as well.  She went 7Fs for trainer Richard Mandella at Del Mar in a time of 1:26.00 handily. She was the only one to go that far. She should be ready for a return trip to the track, after her 7th work since early July. Watch out for this one’s return.
  5. Pendleton, a 3YO colt yet to make his career debut, had a very nice tightener at Saratoga on Friday.  He went 4Fs in :48.56, which was good enough to be 6th out of 25.  This one now has 8 works since June 26 and should be ready for a MSW event at Saratoga before the end of the meet there. This son of Giant’s Causeway cost $600,000 to buy for Woodford Racing. Watch out for this one to hit the entry box.
  6. Always Dreaming, winner of the Kentucky Derby and third place finisher in the Jim Dandy in his return to racing, was back on the track Friday, as well. He went 4Fs in :49.60 — which was 11th out of 38 to go that distance.  Will he go in the Travers next?