Pletcher duo

Pletcher duo working on the Oklahoma track. Courtesy of Jodie Vella-Gregory.

Here is a quick look at today’s workouts.  I’m at Saratoga, and caught a few on the track here, this a.m., too.  Some of the turf specialists were going around “the dogs” on the training track.

  1. Camino de Estrella, is a 3YO colt by Mineshaft who made his first start since January at Del Mar on July 23, was back on the San Diego track this morning.  He went 4Fs in :48.60, which was good enough for 18th best out of 45 to try the distance this a.m. Camino was beaten only about 3 lengths in the return to the races for Tim Yakteem and rider Flavien Prat.  This one ran a huge effort against one of Baffert’s better Triple Crown candidates on Jan. 16 at Santa Anita, when he was beaten only a half-length by the million dollar baby Dabster.  Dabster has not been seen since, reportedly due to some foot issues, but is/was a talented youngster before the setbacks.  Camino may be tough on his second try off the layoff.  Keep an eye out.
  2. Classy Tune, a nice 3YO filly by Maclean’s Music and out of a Dixieland Band mare, won her last start at Del Mar on July 19.  She beat a couple of nice ones that day, including Pretty Owl and Literary Critic.  She was back on the track with a real purpose for the first time since her maiden win and was timed in 1:02 over 5Fs.  That was 23rd best in 33 that worked the distance, but this was a simple maintenance move for trainer Simon Callaghan.  This filly has only made the gate three times in the afternoon and has never been off the board.  She may move up against winners and pop the latch again.  Keep an eye out for her return.
  3. Awestruck is another nice 3YO filly, who got back in the work habit this morning at Saratoga for trainer Rusty Arnold.  She got her second serious work since her 4th place finish behind Overture and Mopotism in the Indiana Oaks on July 15.  She breezed 4Fs in :51.72 over a very tiring racetrack this a.m., which was good enough for 17th out of 22.  This is a Tapit filly who cost $525,000 as a yearling, and she is better than she showed this a.m. Don’t be fooled.  She bored out at the 7/8ths pole at the tricky Indiana racetrack and went way wide in that Stakes effort.  She may be fully ready next time out.
  4. Hot City Girl is a 5YO, City Zip mare who has already won over $682,000 for trainer Linda Rice (who just so happens to have been the trainer of talented sire who recently passed). She worked 5Fs this morn at Saratoga in a quick 1:00.76 breezing, which was a bullet for the day.  This one only has 4 starts this year with a win and two thirds to her credit.  She won the Broadway Stakes at Aqueduct on Feb. 18, and you may find her in the entry box soon.  Keep close tabs on this one.  She is really good when she is good.
  5. Gas Station Sushi is a horrible name for a horse.  But when they run like this one, you can name them anything you want.  This daughter didn’t work this morning.  She worked yesterday afternoon in her career debut at Del Mar.  She ran away with a 31/2-length victory in the 61/2-furlong MSW in a time fit for a queen and a Stakes winner.  Do yourself a favor and put this one in your stable mail.  You will want to keep a keen eye on this daughter of Into Mischief. This one was purchased for $240,000 at the OBS March In-Training Sale, and she may prove to be well worth the price.