Upcoming Derby, Oaks Preps Keep 3-Year-Olds Busy

With three preps for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) and three for the Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) slated next weekend, 3-year-olds were out in full force Jan. 26, preparing for their upcoming starts.

Sackatoga Stable's Tiz the Law and Shooting Star Thoroughbreds' Chance It worked in Florida toward the Feb. 1 Holy Bull Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park. Champagne Stakes (G1) winner Tiz the Law worked a half-mile in :48 flat at Palm Meadows Training Center for trainer Barclay Tagg. The breeze was the fastest of 40 at the distance.

Chance It, who started the year with a win in the Mucho Macho Man Stakes, worked three furlongs in :36.28 at Gulfstream for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. Joseph also trains Hut Hut Stakes winner Tonalist's Shape, who breezed five furlongs in 1:01.65. Slam Dunk Racing, Doug Branham, and Legacy Ranch's filly is aimed at Gulfstream's Kentucky Oaks prep series, which starts with the Feb. 1 Forward Gal Stakes (G3).

Across the state at Tampa Bay Downs, Nashua Stakes (G3) and Jerome Stakes winner Independence Hall worked five furlongs in 1:00, the fastest of 34. After the workout, trainer Mike Trombetta said the colt owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Twin Creeks Racing Stables, and Kathleen and Robert Verratti will likely make his next start in the Feb. 8 Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3) at Tampa or the Feb. 15 Risen Star Stakes Presented by Lamarque Ford-Lincoln (G2) at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.

A trio of Kentucky Oaks hopefuls worked at Fair Grounds on Sunday for upcoming starts. Juddmonte Farms homebred Taraz, the runaway Letellier Memorial Stakes winner who is targeting the Feb. 1 Martha Washington Stakes at Oaklawn Park, breezed five furlongs in 1:01 1/5 for trainer Brad Cox. Cox also sent out 2-year-old filly champion British Idiom—owned by Michael Dubb, The Elkstone Group, Madaket Stables, and Bethlehem Stables—for a five-furlong move in 1:00 4/5 with the Feb. 15 Rachel Alexandra Stakes (G2) penciled in.

Winchell Thoroughbreds, Thomas Reiman, William Dickson, and Debbie Easter's Finite, who will also likely be back in the Rachel Alexandra, returned to work with a half-mile in :51. The Steve Asmussen trainee has won three consecutive stakes, including the Golden Rod Stakes (G2) and Silverbulletday Stakes.

At Santa Anita Park, 2-year-old male champion Storm the Court, trained by Peter Eurton, continued working toward his sophomore debut with a five-furlong move in 1:00 3/5. The Exline-Border Racing, David Bernsen, Susanna Wilson, and Dan Hudock runner will start his season in the seven-furlong San Vicente Stakes (G2) Feb. 9.

In older horse news, trainer Bob Baffert confirmed Speedway Stable's Roadster for the Feb. 1 San Pasqual Stakes (G2) after the 4-year-old worked six furlongs in 1:12 3/5 Sunday at Santa Anita. Hronis Racing's San Pasqual nominee Gift Box drilled five furlongs in 1:01 4/5 for trainer John Sadler.