Updated every Wednesday, 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 August 11, 2021
BENEDICT CANYON – (B. Baffert) – August 7, Del Mar, 5f, :59.2hg
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Midnight Lute filly wore blinkers and drilled from the gate inside Censorship (same time) for B. Baffert, displaying sharp early speed under a hold and then finishing head-and-head when eased up at the 5/8ths pole, a few ticks slower on our watches than given but very nice nonetheless, splits of :23.2, :47.2 and 1:00 flat, stride for stride late with her more experienced barn mate. Has some quickness and appears to have some quality, should make the entries soon.
DEFERRED TAXES – (C. Brown) – August 7, Saratoga, 4f, :47.1b
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Sophomore maiden was under a tight hold every step of the way while even but a tad the best over Southern District (same time) in sharp half mile breeze. Moves quite well on the main track but is bred for grass and all three of his outings have been on the lawn. Certainly trains like a better type than his form would indicate and is worth another chance on either surface.
ETOILE – (C. Brown) – August 8, Saratoga, 5f, :59.4b TC
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Worked outside Pocket Square (same time) on turf for C. Brown and was even throughout, never asked and finishing with something left while looking just about set for comeback. Freshened since the spring, Grade-1 winner should have a very productive late summer and fall season.
MY PRANKSTER – (T. Pletcher) – August 8, Saratoga, 4f, :47bg
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Into Mischief juvenile appears to have plenty of ability as he displayed in this team gate drill inside stable mate Goddess of Fire (same time), mild coaxing early and mostly on his own late to record quick clocking while clearly best. Gearing up for his debut and should make the entries soon, nice sort.
TEAM MERCHANTS – (D. O’Neill) – Del Mar. 5f, :59.4h
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Broke off several lengths behind Get on the Bus) (5f, 1:00.4h) and easily cruised on by through the lane to prove much best without ever being asked and then galloped out strongly past the wire. Loved his recent allowance win and has plenty of further improvement in him. Chance to be a stakes type and should get that opportunity soon.
UNION TRAIN – (J. Shirreffs) – Del Mar, 5f, 1:01hg
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$325,00 OBS March sale purchase is getting ready for his debut and seems just about set after dusting off workmate James Gang (4f, :49hg) with an impressive display acceleration around the turn to finish with plenty left despite being forced wide around a pair of gallopers. May not be a quick sprinter type but definitely has an exciting future, especially as the distances increase.
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Workouts through August 4, 2021
ENCROACHMENT – (R. Hanson) July 30, Del Mar, 5f, 1:00hg
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Unraced four-year-old gelding broke slowly in company from the gate with Kimmer and Ball Lass (both 5f, 1:01.4hg) but quickly got in gear and easily overtook his workmates without need of urging and then drew far clear after the opening three furlongs, splits of :23.3, :35 flat, :47.2 and 1:00.2 on our watches, mild late coaxing. Bred for much speed and appears to have plenty of it though he’ll need to break better in the afternoon. Should be plenty fit by now.
JESTER CALLS NOJOY – (T. Pletcher) August 1, Saratoga, 4f, :47.3bg
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Broke well in gate drill outside stablemate A Mo Rae (same time) and was even throughout while hard held every step of the way and able to go much faster for T. Pletcher while gearing up for racing debut. Maclean’s Music juvenile filly looks lvery quick and gives every indication of a win early-type. Should be fit enough by now.
MAJOR GENERAL – (T. Pletcher) August 1, Saratoga, 4f, :47.1bg
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Gate drill inside stable mate Bellinger (4f, :47.2bg) nd was clearly best while mostly under wraps every step of the way, finishing about three lengths clear while displaying a smooth, athletic stride under mild coaxing only. Constitution colt brought $420,000 as a yearling and looks the part.
NORTH CAROLINA – (B. Tagg) August 1, Saratoga, 5f, 1:00b
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Broke off far behind Tiz Eternal and Money Merger (both 5f, 1:02.2b) and caught that pair approaching the wire despite being taken in hand and geared down in the final furlong, quite impressive for a once-started 4-year-old maiden gelding. Had one start more than a year ago in a maiden race on turf at Belmont Park and never landed a blow but has to a much better type now for B. Tagg (had been a C. McGaughey last year). Stretch-running type should return soon.
REAL FIRE – (J. Sadler) August 1, Del Mar, 5f, 1:00.1hg
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Unraced 2-year-old filly worked from gate with older Grade-1 winner Flagstaff (same time) and was much quicker early while leading by a few lengths after the opening quarter, was joined by workmate midway on the turn and was pretty much even thereafter (perhaps a neck back when pulled up), splits of :23 flat, :34.3, :47 flat and 1:00 flat, easy early, mild late coaxing. Street Boss filly was $360,000 OBS April Sale purchase and seems ready to roll for J. Sadler.
RHETORIC – (B. Baffert) August 2, Del Mar, 5f, :59.3hg
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In blinkers, was along the rail working inside Marco Polo (4f, :47hg) and was always going the better of the two without really being asked much, then was coaxed just a bit in the final stages and responded impressively before galloping out a full six furlongs in 1:12.4 on our watches. Quality Road colt brought $600,00 as a yearling, has some speed but definitely wants to run long, hope he’ll debut in an elongated sprint or perhaps even two-turning. Looks plenty fit for Baffert.
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Workouts through July 27, 2021
JACK CHRISTOPHER – (C. Brown) July 26, Saratoga, 4f, :49.1b
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Team drill with C. Brown stable mate Practice Squad (same time) and looked quite promising in easy breeze while much the best along the rail, a ton left at the end while under a hammerlock. Munnings colt isn’t too far along just yet but may be a smoker and is worth following very closely.
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Workouts through July 20, 2021
EXCELLENT TIMING – (C. Brown) July 16, 2021, Saratoga, 5f, 1:00.3b
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Sharp and eager in solo five furlong drill while strong throughout and mostly on his own. Stakes-winning New York-bred colt has been freshened and the time off appears to have done him some good. Stakes-quality sort when he’s on his game.
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FOUR GRACES – (I. Wilkes) July 16, 2021, Saratoga, 4f, :47.4b
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Breezing half mile drill while clearly best from Liberty M D (same time) for I. Wilkes, just cruising under a nice hold while workmate had to be asked a bit to stay even. Ran like a short horse in her comeback in Kentucky; seems likely to be fitter and improve next time out.
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HOPKINS – (B. Baffert) July 19, 2021, Del Mar, 5f, :59hg
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Unraced 3-year-old Quality Road colt brought $900,000 as a yearling and may finally be ready to face the starter based on this impressive gate drill while proving best over Gold Rush Candy (5f, :59.1hg) and Dubronik (4f, :48hg), always on his left lead but in front along the rail throughout, something left late without pressure, :46.2 and :59 flat on our watches. Turned in a series of fast works at Los Alamitos before joining the main string and should be more than fit enough by now.
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Workouts Through July 6, 2021
CURIOUS INJI – (J. Mullins) July 4, 2021, Santa Anita, 5f, 1:01.3h
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Under wraps every step of the way in solo training track drill, final half mile in :24.1 and :48.4, plenty left late. Unplaced in three career starts, most recently in a maiden claiming miler (stumbled badly at the start), but the daughter of Misremembered surely appears capable of better and seems likely to surface in a winnable spot early in the Del Mar season.
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SEMPER FIDELIS – (S. Joseph, Jr.) July 3, 2021, Palm Meadows, 4f, :47.1h
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Barn tends to let them roll in the a.m., but this lightly-raced son of Fast Anna was under cruise control throughout in sharp half mile main track drill, final three furlongs in :35 flat. Been away since December but appears to be returning better than he left and should be hard to beat vs. older maiden special weight foes.
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