Updated weekly, the Primed and Ready List identifies horses that have recorded an outstanding workout within the past seven days and appear ready for a top performance. Workouts originate from Southern California (Santa Anita/Del Mar), New York (Saratoga/Belmont Park) and Florida (Palm Meadows) and can be viewed by clicking the link included in the description or at xbtv.com. Horses are removed following their first race after appearing on the list.
Workouts through September 15, 2021
CHERUBIC FACTOR – (P. Eurton) – September 11, Santa Anita, 5f, 1:00h TT)
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Lightly-raced gelding looked as smooth as silk in this training track drill by himself, never asked and finishing with fluid strides, final quarter mile in an eye-opening :23 1/5. Freshened and looking quite good, have to think he’s better than his last two races indicate.
DISTINCTLYPOSSIBLE – (C. Brown) – September 12, Belmont Park, 4f, :47.3b
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Coasting through the lane while displaying good speed throughout in a half mile solo breeze by juvenile daughter of Curlin. Ran well in debut when second at Saratoga and can be expected to produce a significant forward move based on this drill.
LANE WAY – (R. Mandella) – September 12, Santa Anita, 5f, 1:00.3h
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Been away since January but appears to be returning better than he left, breezing throughout while outside Scotish Star (same time) while even but best and finishing with plenty left, splits of :24.3, :36.1 and 1:00.3. Always trained better then he’s run but even so looks like a better type this time around. Has all of his conditions and should fire a big shot fresh.
STEP DANCER – (B. Tagg) – September 12, Belmont Park, 5f, 1:01.4b TC DU
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Solo turf breeze around dogs, breezing in hand throughout and finishing with plenty left, sharp as a tack. New York-bred stakes winner probably has further improvement in him.
TOO LATE – (D. O’Neill) – September 13, Santa Anita, 4f, :47.2h
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Son of Square Eddie was breezing in a solo half mile drill with splits :11.2, :22.4 and :47.1 on our watches, very light late coaxing while maintaining his Del Mar edge. Strong drill considering he probably prefers turf. Has all of his state-bred conditions and seems primed for another big effort.
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Workouts through September 8, 2021
CRICKET WEST – (J. Abreu) – September 5, Saratoga, 4f, :51.2b TT TC DU
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Breezing in company outside Hellman (4f, :51.3b TT TC DU) and looked quite good to prove clearly best without ever being asked, sharp and eager to the wire. New York-bred juvenile filly by Majestic City ran very well sprinting on grass in her debut and seems sure to improve with experience and distance.
CURRY – (K. Headley) – September 6, Del Mar, 5f, 1:00.2h
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Lightly-raced gelding has been freshened since April but appeared perked up and ready to resume his career in this solo five furlong drill, never really asked at any stage and finishing with plenty left, final three furlongs in :11.2 and :36.1. Has all of his conditions available (including a first-level Cal-bred event) and should make the entries early in the Santa Anita fall season.
MISAWA – (M. Glatt) – September 6, Del Mar, 4f, :47.4h
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Worked inside Flame McGoon (4f, :48.1h) and was clearly best while breezing to the wire in sharp style, final three furlongs in :36.1, displaying smooth action and galloping out with a ton left. Form isn’t much but this First Samurai gelding must be better than shown. Have to think he can handle soft maidens next time out.
MUSIC FESTIVAL – (M.Puype) – September 6, Del Mar, 5f, 1:01.2h
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In company outside Walking Boss (5f, 1:01.4h) and was noticeably the better of the two, breaking off a length behind and finishing almost a length in front at the wire, mostly on her own, splits of :25 flat, :36.4 and 1:01.2. Getting fit, bred for grass and probably will debut on the lawn at Santa Anita. Willing and eager for M. Puype.
SHAD NATION – (C. Clement) – September 5, Saratoga, 4f, :52b TT TC DU
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Cairo Prince juvenile filly has yet to start but shouldn’t be far away based on this team drill around dogs on grass with Longest Day (4f, :52.3b, TT TC DU), breaking off almost three lengths behind and then moving up easily through the lane to be head-and-head at the wire. Has a nice, athletic stride, moves like she’ll enjoy a distance of ground. Pointing for the fall season at Belmont Park.
TEMPERMENTAL – (J. Englehart) – September 4, Saratoga, 4f, :47.4b
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New York-bred juvenile filly by Practical Joke breezed inside Sea Pines (same time) and went quite well, final quarter mile in :23.4 under a nice hold (workmate going easily as well) before galloping out strongly and with plenty left. This was just her second recorded workout, but she appeared reasonably fit and with a good degree of ability. Probably be seen in the afternoon sometime in early October, we would guess.
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Workouts through September 1, 2021
CAISSON – (R. Mandella) – August 30, Del Mar, 5f, :59.4h
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War Front colt wore blinkers and was breezing inside the hard held Lane Way (4f, :47.3h), splits of :23.3 and :47.1 to the wire before continuing out to 7/8 pole under very light coaxing in :59.4, strong work while getting cranked up. Been away since finishing second in the Cecil B. DeMille Stakes last November, has all of his conditions and probably can be effective on any surface.
ONTHEONESANDTWOS – (N. Casse) – Aug. 29, Saratoga, 4f, :47b
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Under a stout hold in sharp half mile breeze while clearly best over Buckingham Prince (same time), finishing with a ton left late in quick move over training track. Was beaten as the favorite in the Adirondack S. but didn’t get off well and didn’t run her race. Way better than that.
RAYMOND ROAD – (J. Englehart) – August 29, Saratoga, 4f, :47.4hg
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New York-bred filly was in team gate drill inside Wicked Workout (same time) and was going the easier of the two throughout while just breezing along, able to go faster if permitted. Has speed but displayed nice action and should be more than just a sprinter. Daughter of Flatter looks to be a 2-year-old with a bit of quality and may get ready pretty quickly.
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Workouts through August 18, 2021
GRAFTON STREET – (M. Casse) – August 13, Saratoga, 4f, :47.3b TT TC DU
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Broke off a length in front of Classic Legend (4f, :48.4b TT TC DU) and easily opened up on that one at will without being asked through the lane, nice stride on what surely will prove to be his preferred surface for Casse. Showed ability in debut when rallying to finish third in dirt sprint and seems certain to improve going long on the lawn.
HAMWOOD FLIER – (R. Baltas) – August 12, Del Mar, 4f, :47.3b TT TC DU
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Sophomore filly was in company inside Kartvelian (4f, :48.2h TC DU) and was under a tight hold through the lane to be a few lengths clear at the wire as much the best, able to go considerably faster if turned loose in a very impressive move. Irish import broke her maiden in her fourth career start in June and arrives fit, ready, and appearing much better than the form would show. Has first level allowance conditions.
MECCA SPIRIT – (B. Baffert) – August 16, Del Mar, 5f, :59.1hg
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In blinkers, in team gate drill outside Marco Polo (5f, :59.2hg) for B. Baffert and proved best by a length in the late stages of the drill while responding to some mild coaxing, splits of :34.4, :47 flat and :59.1, smart drill while gearing up for his debut. Juvenile colt by Bernardini doesn’t act like a quick sprinter but definitely can run and probably will prove best as the distances increase. Should be fit enough by now.
LIBERTY M D – (I. Wilkes) – August 14, Saratoga, 5f, 1:00.2b
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Hard held to the top of the lane and then coasted through the stetch to appear extra sharp in five furlong solo breeze for Wilkes. Was rank, got mad, and was overmatched in Shuvee S.-G3, so toss the race out, still a bit inexperienced and probably prefers one turn at this stage of her career. Has second level allowance conditions.
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