Charlatan, Collusion Illusion and others work toward Malibu

Top contenders are revving up for one of the final major races of 2020.

Charlatan, Collusion Illusion and Thousand Words all worked in recent days at Santa Anita toward the track’s Grade 1, $300,000 Malibu Stakes. That trio is among seven 3-year-old males listed as probable for the seven-furlong dirt sprint Dec. 26.

Trained by Bob Baffert, Charlatan moved five furlongs in 59.8 on Saturday at Santa Anita, third-fastest of 47 works at the distance. The Malibu will mark the Speightstown colt’s first start since Oaklawn Park’s Arkansas Derby (G1) on May 2, a race in which he crossed first but was later disqualified for a medication overage.

Another Baffert contender, Grade 2 winner Thousand Words, drilled an identical five furlongs in 59.8 seconds Friday for his final Malibu tune-up. That time was second-best of 50 works at the distance. The Pioneerof The Nile colt ran eighth at Pimlico in the Preakness Stakes on Oct. 3 in his last start.

Collusion Illusion beat older runners Aug. 1 at Del Mar in the Bing Crosby Stakes (G1) but is coming off a 12th-place effort Nov. 7 at Keeneland in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint. He worked five furlongs in 1:00.2 on Saturday – fifth-quickest of 47 works at the distance – for trainer Mark Glatt.

Express Train, Independence Hall, Nashville and Strongconstitution are also probable for the Malibu. Strongconstitution moved five furlongs Saturday at Santa Anita in a bullet 59.6 for trainer Doug O’Neill, while Steve Asmussen trainee Nashville breezed five furlongs in a bullet 58.8 on Wednesday at Fair Grounds.

Also on Friday, veteran True Timber worked for the first time since collecting a first stakes win in Aqueduct's Cigar Mile (G1).

Here is a look at other notable horses who worked Saturday, Friday and Thursday:

Saturday

Acclimate (Acclamation) a Grade 2 winner (2019 Del Mar Handicap) worked 5 furlongs in 1:01.6 at Santa Anita Park on Saturday morning. It was the 13th fastest of 31 works at the distance. His previous work was 7 days ago going 4 furlongs at Santa Anita Park. In his last start he placed 4th in the Hollywood Turf Cup (G2) going 1 1/2 miles on the turf at Del Mar on November 27 for trainer Philip D'Amato. 

Biddy Duke (Bayern) a Grade 3 winner (2020 Senator Ken Maddy) worked 5 furlongs in 1:01.2 at Santa Anita Park on Saturday morning. It was the 27th fastest of 83 works at the distance. Her previous work was 7 days ago going 7 furlongs at Santa Anita Park. In her last start she placed 1st in the Senator Ken Maddy (G3) going 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf at Santa Anita Park on October 24 for trainer Doug O'Neill.

Chaos Theory (Curlin) a Grade 3 winner (2020 Green Flash H.) worked 5 furlongs in 1:01.8 at Santa Anita Park on Saturday morning. It was the 43rd fastest of 83 works at the distance. His previous work was 8 days ago going 5 furlongs at Santa Anita Park. In his last start he placed 1st in an allowance race going 5 furlongs on the turf at Del Mar on November 20 for trainer John Sadler.

Combatant (Scat Daddy) a Grade 1 winner (2020 Santa Anita Handicap) worked 5 furlongs in 1:01.6 at Santa Anita Park on Saturday morning. It was the 34th fastest of 83 works at the distance. His previous work was 7 days ago going 5 furlongs at Santa Anita Park. In his last start he placed 3rd in the Native Diver (G3) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Del Mar on November 21 for trainer John Sadler.

Eons (Giant's Causeway) a Grade 3 winner (2019 Kent) worked 4 furlongs in 49.6 at Tampa Bay Downs on Saturday morning. It was the 13th fastest of 30 works at the distance. His previous work was 7 days ago going 4 furlongs at Tampa Bay Downs. In his last start he placed 8th in the Sycamore (G3) going 1 1/2 miles on the turf at Keeneland on October 15 for trainer Arnaud Delacour.

Fighting Seabee (Summer Front) a Grade 3 winner (2019 With Anticipation) worked 4 furlongs in 48.2 at Gulfstream Park on Saturday morning. It was the 22nd fastest of 91 works at the distance. This is his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed 5th in an allowance race going 1 mile on the main track at Churchill Downs on November 25 for trainer Kenny McPeek.

Focus Group (Kitten's Joy) a Grade 2 winner (2019 Pan American) worked 5 furlongs in 1:05.0 at Payson Park Training Center on Saturday morning. It was the second fastest of 6 works at the distance. His previous work was 7 days ago going 4 furlongs at Payson Park Training Center. In his last start he placed 7th in the Pan American (G2) going 1 1/2 miles on the turf at Gulfstream Park on March 28 for trainer Christophe Clement.

Four Wheel Drive (American Pharoah) a Grade 2 winner (2019 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint) worked 5 furlongs in 1:00.4 at Turfway Park on Saturday morning. It was the third fastest of 63 works at the distance. His previous work was 8 days ago going 5 furlongs at Keeneland. In his last start he placed 7th in an allowance race going 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf at Churchill Downs on May 17 for trainer Wesley Ward.

Independence Hall (Constitution) a Grade 3 winner (2019 Nashua) worked 5 furlongs in 59.0 at Santa Anita Park on Saturday morning. It was the fastest of 83 works at the distance. His previous work was 8 days ago going 5 furlongs at Santa Anita Park. In his last start he placed 1st in an allowance race going 6 1/2 furlongs on the main track at Del Mar on November 8 for trainer Michael McCarthy.

Marckie's Water (Tribal Rule) a Grade 2 winner (2019 Charles Whittingham) worked 4 furlongs in 49.2 at Santa Anita Park on Saturday morning. It was the 27th fastest of 43 works at the distance. His previous work was 7 days ago going 4 furlongs at Santa Anita Park. In his last start he placed 7th in an allowance race going 1 3/8 miles on the turf at Del Mar on November 28 for trainer Peter Eurton.

Marzo (Medaglia d'Oro) a Grade 3 winner (2019 Sycamore) worked 5 furlongs in 1:01.6 at Turfway Park on Saturday morning. It was the 13th fastest of 63 works at the distance. His previous work was 14 days ago going 5 furlongs at Churchill Training. In his last start he placed 7th in the Sword Dancer (G1) going 1 1/2 miles on the turf at Saratoga on August 29 for trainer Mike Maker.

Mr. Misunderstood (Archarcharch) a Grade 2 winner (2018 Wise Dan) worked 4 furlongs in 50.4 at Keeneland on Saturday morning. It was the 13th fastest of 38 works at the distance. This is his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed 5th in an allowance race going 1 mile on the synthetic at Turfway Park on December 3 for trainer Brad Cox.

Mutasaabeq (Into Mischief) a Grade 2 winner (2020 Bourbon) worked 5 furlongs in 1:00.7 at Palm Beach Downs on Saturday morning. It was the fastest of 8 works at the distance. His previous work was 6 days ago going 5 furlongs at Palm Beach Downs. In his last start he placed 10th in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf presented by Coolmore America (G1) going 1 mile on the turf at Keeneland on November 6 for trainer Todd Pletcher.

Ohio (BRZ) (Elusive Quality) a Grade 1 winner (2019 Frank E. Kilroe Mile) worked 4 furlongs in 47.4 at Santa Anita Park on Saturday morning. It was the second fastest of 43 works at the distance. His previous work was 7 days ago going 4 furlongs at Santa Anita Park. In his last start he placed 7th in the Frank E. Kilroe Mile (G1) going 1 mile on the turf at Santa Anita Park on March 7 for trainer Michael McCarthy.

Oscar Dominguez (IRE) (Zoffany (IRE)) a Grade 2 winner (2019 Hollywood Turf Cup) worked 5 furlongs in 1:02.0 at San Luis Rey Training Center on Saturday morning. It was the 14th fastest of 23 works at the distance. His previous work was 7 days ago going 4 furlongs at San Luis Rey Training Center. In his last start he placed 6th in the Hollywood Turf Cup (G2) going 1 1/2 miles on the turf at Del Mar on November 27 for trainer Richard Baltas.

Peace Achieved (Declaration of War) a Grade 3 winner (2019 Bourbon) worked 5 furlongs in 1:00.8 at Fair Grounds on Saturday morning. It was the second fastest of 57 works at the distance. His previous work was 8 days ago going 5 furlongs at Fair Grounds. In his last start he placed 4th in the Gun Runner Dueling Grounds Derby going 1 5/16 miles on the turf at Kentucky Downs on September 10 for trainer Mark Casse.

Pixelate (City Zip) a Grade 2 winner (2020 Del Mar Derby) worked 4 furlongs in 49.6 at Fair Grounds on Saturday morning. It was the 37th fastest of 122 works at the distance. His previous work was 9 days ago going 4 furlongs at Fair Grounds. In his last start he placed 4th in the Bryan Station going 1 1/8 miles on the turf at Keeneland on November 6 for trainer Michael Stidham.

Smooth Like Strait (Midnight Lute) a Grade 2 winner (2020 Twilight Derby) worked 4 furlongs in 50.0 at Santa Anita Park on Saturday morning. It was the 39th fastest of 43 works at the distance. His previous work was 8 days ago going 4 furlongs at Santa Anita Park. In his last start he placed 2nd in the Hollywood Derby (G1) going 1 1/8 miles on the turf at Del Mar on November 28 for trainer Michael McCarthy.

Storm the Court (Court Vision) a Grade 1 winner (2019 Breeders' Cup Juvenile) worked 4 furlongs in 47.8 at Santa Anita Park on Saturday morning. It was the 4th fastest of 43 works at the distance. His previous work was 7 days ago going 5 furlongs at Santa Anita Park. In his last start he placed 7th in the Hollywood Derby (G1) going 1 1/8 miles on the turf at Del Mar on November 28 for trainer Peter Eurton.

Sunny Ridge (Holy Bull) a two time Grade 3 winner (2019 Salvator Mile 2016 Withers) worked 4 furlongs in 50.0 at Belmont Park on Saturday morning. It was the 8th fastest of 38 works at the distance. His previous work was 9 days ago going 4 furlongs at Belmont Park. In his last start he placed 3rd in the Toboggan (G3) going 7 furlongs on the main track at Aqueduct on January 18 for former trainer Jason Servis.

Tusk (Tapit) a Grade 3 winner (2020 Tropical Turf) worked 4 furlongs in 49.8 at Palm Meadows Training Center on Saturday morning. It was the 33rd fastest of 47 works at the distance. This is his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed 8th in a starter stakes going 1 1/16 miles on the turf at Gulfstream Park on December 5 for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr.

Wildman Jack (Goldencents) a Grade 3 winner (2020 San Simeon) worked 5 furlongs in 1:01.0 at Santa Anita Park on Saturday morning. It was the 4th fastest of 31 works at the distance. His previous work was 7 days ago going 5 furlongs at Santa Anita Park. In his last start he placed 7th in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1) going 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf at Keeneland on November 7 for trainer Doug O'Neill.

Friday

A Thread of Blue (Hard Spun) a Grade 3 winner (2019 Palm Beach) worked 5 furlongs in 1:02.0 at Casse Training Center on Friday morning. It was the third fastest of 5 works at the distance. His previous work was 8 days ago going 4 furlongs at Casse Training Center. In his last start he placed 7th in the Oceanport going 1 1/16 miles on the turf at Monmouth Park on August 9 for trainer John Servis.

Sadler's Joy (Kitten's Joy) a Grade 1 winner (2017 Longines Sword Dancer) worked 5 furlongs in 1:03.8 at Palm Meadows Training Center on Friday morning. It was the 4th fastest of 4 works at the distance. His previous work was 8 days ago going 4 furlongs at Palm Meadows Training Center. In his last start he placed 4th in the Red Smith (G3) going 1 3/8 miles on the turf at Aqueduct on November 21 for trainer Thomas Albertrani.

Leinster (Majestic Warrior) a two time Grade 2 winner (2020 Woodford Presented by TVG 2020 Shakertown) worked 4 furlongs in 48.9 on turf at Palm Meadows Training Center on Friday morning. It was the 9th fastest of 45 works at the distance. This is his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed 3rd in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1) going 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf at Keeneland on November 7 for trainer Rusty Arnold.

Admission Office (Point of Entry) a Grade 3 winner (2020 Louisville) worked 4 furlongs in 49.9 on turf at Palm Meadows Training Center on Friday morning. It was the 26th fastest of 45 works at the distance. His previous work was 8 days ago going 5 furlongs at Palm Meadows Training Center. In his last start he placed 1st in the Louisville (G3) going 1 1/2 miles on the turf at Churchill Downs on June 13 for trainer Brian Lynch.

Red Lark (IRE) (Epaulette (AUS)) a Grade 1 winner (2020 Del Mar Oaks) worked 5 furlongs in 1:02.6 at Santa Anita Park on Friday morning. It was the 39th fastest of 50 works at the distance. Her previous work was 9 days ago going 5 furlongs at Santa Anita Park. In her last start she placed 4th in the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Presented by Dixiana (G1) going 1 1/8 miles on the turf at Keeneland on October 10 for trainer Patrick Gallagher.

Captain Scotty (Quality Road) a Grade 2 winner (2020 Palos Verdes) worked 4 furlongs in 50.0 at San Luis Rey Training Center on Friday morning. It was the 6th fastest of 8 works at the distance. This is his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed 1st in an allowance race going 5 1/2 furlongs on the main track at Los Alamitos Race Course on December 6 for trainer Peter Miller.

Texas Wedge (Colonel John) a Grade 2 winner (2020 Joe Hernandez) worked 6 furlongs in 1:14.2 at San Luis Rey Training Center on Friday morning. It was the fastest of 5 works at the distance. His previous work was 7 days ago going 5 furlongs at San Luis Rey Training Center. In his last start he placed 2nd in an allowance race going 5 furlongs on the turf at Del Mar on November 20 for trainer Peter Miller.

Field Pass (Lemon Drop Kid) a two time Grade 3 winner (2020 Transylvania 2020 Jeff Ruby Steaks) worked 5 furlongs in 1:01.0 at Turfway Park on Friday morning. It was the 4th fastest of 25 works at the distance. His previous work was 7 days ago going 5 furlongs at Turfway Park. In his last start he placed 1st in the Ontario Derby (G3) going 1 1/8 miles on the synthetic at Woodbine on November 21 for trainer Mike Maker.

Thursday

Dean Martini (Cairo Prince) a Grade 3 winner (2020 Ohio Derby) worked 4 furlongs in 48.8 at Fair Grounds on Thursday morning. It was the 9th fastest of 56 works at the distance. His previous work was 11 days ago going 4 furlongs at Fair Grounds. In his last start he placed 3rd in an allowance race going 1 mile on the main track at Churchill Downs on November 25 for trainer Tom Amoss.

Imprimis (Broken Vow) a Grade 2 winner (2019 Shakertown) worked 4 furlongs in 48.5 at Gulfstream Park on Thursday morning. It was the third fastest of 35 works at the distance. His previous work was 13 days ago going 3 furlongs at Gulfstream Park. In his last start he placed 13th in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1) going 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf at Keeneland on November 7 for trainer Joseph Orseno.

Sir Anthony (Mineshaft) a two time Grade 3 winner (2019 Cornhusker 2018 Harlan's Holiday) worked 4 furlongs in 48.0 at Hawthorne on Thursday morning. It was the fastest of 7 works at the distance. His previous work was 8 days ago going 6 furlongs at Hawthorne. In his last start he placed 4th in an allowance race going 6 furlongs on the main track at Hawthorne on November 22 for trainer Anthony Mitchell.

Oleksandra (AUS) (Animal Kingdom) a Grade 1 winner (2020 Jaipur) worked 5 furlongs in 1:02.6 at Santa Anita Park on Thursday morning. It was the third fastest of 7 works at the distance. Her previous work was 8 days ago going 4 furlongs at Santa Anita Park. In her last start she placed 9th in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1) going 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf at Keeneland on November 7 for trainer Neil Drysdale.