Dak Attack (above) was back on the training cycle Sunday at Churchill Downs…

Every day, we scour over the work tabs from racetracks around the country and we keep a watchful eye on those horses that are prepping for some major upcoming races.  Some of the horses we mention, you will know. Some of the, though, may be obscure and off your radar screen.  We will try to keep tabs and let you know who is doing well in the a.m. Here is a closer look at the last couple of days efforts:

  1. McCormick, a 3YO colt who ran second in the Iowa Derby before having a tough trip in the West Virginia Derby, was back on the track on Labor Day. He breezed 4Fs in :49.20 at the Skylight Training Center, which is located near Louisville, for trainer Ian Wilkes. That was the 5th fastest time out of 11 over the all weather surface.
  2. Delightful Lady, a 3YO filly by Dialed In who was third in her career debut last November at Del Mar before breaking her maiden at Santa Anita in January, made her return to the track for the first time since that winter win on July 29 at Del Mar.  She ran fourth in that trip, but only beaten about 3 lengths and she was caught in-between horses for much of the race.  She trained again on Sunday, working 5F for trainer Richard Baltas in a nice clip of :59.60 where the Surf Meets the Turf (Del Mar). That was the 4th fastest time recorded out of 47 to go that distance.
  3. Battle of Midway, the talented son of Smart Strike who ran a strong third in the Kentucky Derby this year, trained for Jerry Hollendorfer for the first time since his impressive victory in the Shared Belief Stakes at Del Mar on Travers Day.  He went 4Fs in :48.60, which was 5th best out of 26 to work a half mile.  Battle of Midway wore blinkers for the first time ever in the Shared Belief after a rough and tumble fight in the G1 Haskell Stakes. All indications are that he may be on the improve.
  4. Dak Attack, the mega-talented 2YO son of Ghostzapper who captured the Ellis Park Juvenile in his last out, trained on Sunday at his home base of Churchill Downs.  He went a light 4Fs in :51.60 for trainer Dale Romans, who was in NY for the debacle that they called the Hopeful Stakes. Dak Attack may be pointed towards the G1 Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland. Keep a close eye on this one.  He could be the real deal.
  5. Senior Investment, who hasn’t been the same since his impressive third in the Preakness Stakes, was back on the track for trainer Kenny McPeek on Sunday, as well.  He went 4Fs in :47.60, which was 8th best out of 63 to go that half mile. This late closer has had two works since his 10th place on the turf in the Belmont Derby.
  6. Here’s a surprise showing…Sonneteer, a 3YO colt who ran an impressive second in the G2 Rebel Stakes and a fourth in the G1 Arkansas Derby before finishing 16th in this year’s Kentucky Derby as a maiden, had a work on Sunday — at Churchill Downs.  The son of Midnight Lute has always been based on the West Coast in the barn of Keith Desormeaux and just broke his maiden on July 23 at Del Mar.  He had four published works at Del Mar after that win, before he showed up on the work tab at Churchill this Sunday.  He went 4Fs in :48.60, which was 20th out of 63 to go that distance.  He is owned by Calumet Farm, who uses  a number of different trainers.  We will check to see whose barn he is now in and let you know. Just saw he was entered to run in the Super Derby at Louisiana Downs. Desormeaux is still listed as the trainer.