Picture of It Tiz Well, from earlier this year…

Every day, we scour the work tabs from racetracks all over the country to keep a watchful eye and focus on some of the most important Thoroughbreds in North America. Some of these you will know and recognize.  Some of the names, you may not know — yet.  But you may in the near future. Stay tuned to keep up to date on those horses working “with a purpose” for a race soon.  Here is today’s list:

  1. Dabster, who was my Winter Book Bet for this year’s Kentucky Derby before foot issues sidelined him for several key months, was back on the training track this morning for super trainer Bob Baffert. The colt covered 4Fs in :48.80 over the Los Alamitos track, which was good enough for the 5th best time out of 19.  This son of Curlin, who cost his owner, Sheihk Mohammed bin Kalifia al Maktoum, a cool $1 million, has not been seen in the afternoons since he won his first race around two turns on Jan. 16 at Santa Anita.  But this is his fourth straight work since Aug. 18. Another month or six weeks of regularly timed works could produce another top performance for the best trainer in the business.
  2. It Tiz Well, a super talented 3YO filly who ran a game second in the G1 Alabama Stakes at Saratoga in her last outing for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, turned in a handy 5F work this morning at her home base Santa Anita.  She went the distance in :59.60, which was the second best time out of 13 to go that distance.  What with Songbird’s recent retirement and Unique Bella still trying to return from shin issues, this one may be Hollendorfer’s top filly in the barn.  She is a multiple Graded Stakes winner, and the daughter of Claiborne Farm’s Arch is as game as they come.
  3. Princess Julia, a talented 3YO filly who ran third to the mega-talented Paradise Woods and Deliteful Lady in a MSW race at Santa Anita back on Jan. 26, worked at the Stonestreet Training Facility this morning, going 4Fs in :51.62 breezing.  That was the top time out of 2 to work the distance. This daughter of Distorted Humor was purchased by Stonestreet for $400,000 as a yearling in 2015 and should be watched carefully for her return to the races. She has a world of talent for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer.  Speaking of his fillies…and restocking…
  4. Abbreviate, another talented 3YO filly, worked this morning at Belmont Park in :48.20.  That was the third best time out of 48 to go that distance and it appears this one is peaking into prime racing form. This was the sixth published work for the Harlan’s Holiday filly trained by Chad Brown since July. She hasn’t been seen in the afternoon since she ran a troubled fourth on March 5 at Gulfstream Park.  But keep an eye out for her return.  This is a very nice homebred for Juddmonte Farms.
  5. Salty, keeping with the theme of talented 3YO fillies, worked 4Fs at Saratoga this morning for trainer Mark Casse. She went the half mile distance in :47.77 breezing, which was a bullet out of 6 to try that pole marker. This one has been a bit star crossed this year, after a brilliant spring season at Gulfstream Park.  She has been plagued with gate issues and tough trips.  But she is capable of winning a big one soon.  Keep the faith.