(Free Drop Billy winning the Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland last Fall / Photo Courtesy of Keeneland)

Every day, we scour the work tabs at racetracks and training facilities all over North America. We are searching for those horses that appear to be peaking at just the right time and may be sitting on a top performance in the afternoons. Some of the horses that we watch and track, you will know. Others, though, you may not recognize — yet. Here is a closer look at some of today’s morning glories:

  1. Free Drop Billy, winner of the Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity when he was last seen touching the dirt of the Keeneland track, tuned up for next Saturday’s Blue Grass Stakes in Lexington this morning for trainer Dale Romans. The talented son of Union Rags went 5-furlogns in 1:01.80, which was the 12th best time out of 33 to make the distance. Owned by the Albaugh Family Stable, Free Drop Billy has raced twice this year already, finishing second in the Holy Bull Stakes behind Audible, and then third in the Gotham Stakes on March 10 to Enticed. He will try to fully punch his ticket to the Kentucky Derby at Keeneland. (Listen to an exclusive interview with trainer Dale Romans first thing Sunday morning. We talk about Free Drop Billy and his chances going into the Blue Grass, and his future in the Kentucky Derby.)
  2. Cove Blue, a 3YO son of Ghostzapper and also trained by Romans, worked at Gulfstream Park this morning, as well. He went 5-furlongs in 1:00.91, which was the 5th best time out of 33 to go that far. This one is super quick, and will try to improve on his 6th place finish in the Gotham in his last time out. This one was bred by Claiborne Farm, and is now owned by Jim Bakke, and Gerald Isbister.
  3. Tiz Mischief, who nearly dead-heated with Enticed for the win in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes at Churchill Downs last November, worked this morning, too. This one went 5-furlongs in 1:01.18, which was the 7th best time of the 33. This colt, by Into Mischief, ran third in the G2 Holy Bull to Audible, and then was 5th to Quip and Flameaway in the Tampa Bay Derby in the last one. The next step for this one is up in the question right now, but Romans will be looking for something to get him back on his running feet soon. This one is owned by Louisville’s own, Frank Jones.
  4. Dragon Drew, a 3YO colt by Get Stormy and trained by our great friend Buff Bradly, worked this morning at the Fair Grounds. He went a half mile on the dirt in :48.60, which was the 12th best time out of 53 to go that far. This guy has won two in a row since being stretched out to two turns on the grass, and the last win was a huge surprise to the bettors in the Black Gold Stakes in New Orleans. (Note: We touted him at 21-1 odds that day.) But Get Stormy, who stands over at Crestwood Farm in Lexington, is a very nice, well-priced stallion worthy of taking a look at, and consider for a breeding. This guy has a great future, and could make Get Stormy a bit more attractive.
  5. Finley’sluckycharm, who ran second in her first try over the grass in the Mardi Gras Stakes at the Fair Grounds on Feb. 13, worked this morning in New Orleans. The 5YO filly by Twirling Candy went a half mile in :48.60, which was the 12th best time out of the 53. This one, trained by W. Bret Calhoun, is a perfect 6-for-6 at Churchill Downs over the last two years. And, she could be ready for a Stakes event there on Derby Week.
  6. Girvin, winner of the G1 Haskell Invitational last year, worked this morning at the Fair Grounds for trainer Joe Sharp. He breezed 5-furlongs in 1:01 flat, which was the third best time out of 26 to go that distance. This one is a talent, and should be ready for a race in a month or so.
  7. Magnum Moon, impressive winner of the G2 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park and now the favorite for the upcoming Arkansas Derby, and, for some, the real favorite for the Kentucky Derby, worked this morning at Palm Beach Downs for trainer Todd Pletcher. He went a half-mile in :48.07, which was the bullet move out of 13 to go that distance. This son of Malibu Moon will be batting the “Apollo Curse,” as well. He didn’t get a start as a 2YO, and it has been over 130 years since a horse won the Derby without having at least one start as a 2YO.
  8. Vino Rosso, a talented son of Curlin and the 4th place finisher behind Quip and Flameaway in the Tampa Bay Derby, worked this morning at Palm Beach for Team Pletcher, as well. This one went a half mile over the dirt surface in :48.27, which was the second best time of the day. It will be interesting where this one shows up next. Don’t dismiss this one completely. Not yet. Not with these connections.
  9. Instilled Regard, who will face the likes of Bolt d’Oro and McKinzie in the Santa Anita Derby in his next out, worked this morning at Santa Anita for Jerry Hollendorfer. The winner of the LeComte Stakes at the Fair Grounds earlier this year before faltering a bit in the Risen Star Stakes, this 3YO moved 5-furlongs in 1:01.60, which was the 11th best time out of 30 to go that distance. This one has run right between McKinzie and Solomini in the Cash Call Los Alamitos Futurity last fall, and has talent.
  10. Kanthaka, another from the barn of Hollendorfer, went the same distance as his roommate today, and covered the 5-furongs in 1:01.20, which was a few ticks faster. This deep closer was third to Bolt d’Oro and McKinzie in the San Felipe Stakes in his last out, but was well beaten. He is still on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, but will need to step it up for his connections soon.
  11. Midnight Bisou, one of the key favorites for the Kentucky Oaks now after her impressive win in the G3 Santa Ysabel Stakes and the G2 Santa Ynez Stakes for trainer Bill Spawr, worked this morning at Santa Anita. She covered 6-furlongs in 1:12.40, which was the 2nd best time out of 3 to go that far today. This one will probably make one more stop on the road to Kentucky, as the prohibitive favorite in the Santa Anita Oaks.