Friday works: Mystik Dan, La Cara lead 23 graded winners

Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan, most recently fourth behind Mindframe in the Stephen Foster (G1) on June 28 at Churchill Downs, returned to the work tab Friday for the first time since that race. The Kenny McPeek trainee went four furlongs in 48.5 seconds over the dirt training track at Saratoga. Though Mystik Dan has not won at the top level again since his triumph in the 2024 run for the roses, he won the Blame (G3) on May 31 at Churchill Downs and was also second in the Lake Ouachita at Oaklawn.

According to a Friday report from David Grening of Daily Racing Form, trainer Kenny McPeek is considering working Mystik Dan over the turf next week. If he handles it well, McPeek may consider running him in the Mint Millions (G3) at Kentucky Downs or the Keeneland Turf Mile (G1).

La Cara, who was scratched from the Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks on Saturday after her barn was put under precautionary quarantine, returned to the work tab in bullet fashion Friday morning. The Mark Casse trainee breezed five furlongs on the Saratoga dirt in 59.7 seconds, fastest of 16 over the course and distance. When winning the Grade 1 Acorn in her most recent start June 6 at Saratoga, La Cara beat both Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks winner Good Cheer and next-out CCA Oaks winner Scottish Lassie.

These 23 graded-stakes winners worked across the country Friday morning:

Kopion (Omaha Beach), a two-time Grade 1 winner (2025 Derby City Distaff, 2024 La Brea), worked six furlongs in 1:12.0 at Del Mar on Friday morning. It was the fastest of three works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Del Mar. In her last start, she placed second in the Great Lady M (G2) going 6 1/2 furlongs on the main track at Los Alamitos on July 5 for trainer Richard Mandella.

La Cara (Street Sense), a two-time Grade 1 winner (2025 Acorn, 2025 Ashland), worked five furlongs in 59.7 seconds at Saratoga on Friday morning. It was the fastest of 16 works at the distance. Her previous work was 14 days ago going four furlongs at Saratoga. In her last start, she won the Acorn (G1) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Saratoga on June 6 for trainer Mark Casse.

Mystik Dan (Goldencents), a Grade 1 winner (2024 Kentucky Derby), worked four furlongs in 48.5 seconds at Saratoga on Friday morning. It was the fifth fastest of 32 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start, he placed fourth in the Stephen Foster (G1) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Churchill Downs on June 28 for trainer Kenny McPeek.

Tamara (Bolt d'Oro), a Grade 1 winner (2023 Del Mar Debutante), worked three furlongs in 36.0 seconds at Del Mar on Friday morning. It was the third fastest of 18 works at the distance. Her previous work was six days ago going three furlongs at Del Mar. In her last start, she placed second in an allowance race going six furlongs on the main track at Del Mar on Nov. 15 for trainer Richard Mandella.

Zulu Kingdom (Ten Sovereigns), a Grade 1 winner (2025 American Turf), worked four furlongs in 49.7 seconds on turf at Saratoga on Friday morning. It was the 13th fastest of 53 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Saratoga. In his last start, he won the Manila (G3) going one mile on the turf at Saratoga on July 4 for trainer Chad Brown.

Masteroffoxhounds (War Front), a two-time Grade 2 winner (2022 John Henry Turf Championship, 2021 San Marcos), worked four furlongs in 51.2 seconds at Churchill Training on Friday morning. It was the ninth fastest of 11 works at the distance. His previous work was four days ago going five furlongs at Churchill Training. In his last start, he placed 12th in the Seabiscuit Handicap (G2) going 1 1/16 miles on the turf at Del Mar on Nov. 30 for trainer Phil D'Amato.

Nitrogen (Medaglia d'Oro), a two-time Grade 2 winner (2025 Edgewood, 2025 Appalachian), worked four furlongs in 48.0 seconds at Saratoga on Friday morning. It was the eighth fastest of 60 works at the distance. This was her first work since her last race. In her last start, she placed second in the Belmont Oaks Invitational (G1) going 1 1/8 miles on the turf at Saratoga on July 5 for trainer Mark Casse.

Simply in Front (Summer Front), a two-time Grade 2 winner (2025 Churchill Distaff Turf Mile, 2024 Music City), worked four furlongs in 51.0 seconds at Churchill Downs on Friday morning. It was the 64th fastest of 73 works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Churchill Downs. In her last start, she placed fifth in the Just a Game (G1) going one mile on the turf at Saratoga on June 6 for trainer Eddie Kenneally.

Kalik (Collected), a Grade 2 winner (2023 Pennine Ridge), worked five furlongs in 1:01.2 at Palm Meadows on Friday morning. It was the fourth fastest of six works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start, he placed second in the Soldier's Dancer Handicap going one mile and 70 yards on the synthetic at Gulfstream Park on July 5 for trainer Carlos Narvaez.

Liguria (War Front), a Grade 2 winner (2025 Buena Vista), worked four furlongs in 47.6 seconds at Del Mar on Friday morning. It was the 11th fastest of 54 works at the distance. Her previous work was six days ago going four furlongs at Del Mar. In her last start, she placed third in the Gamely (G1) going 1 1/8 miles on the turf at Santa Anita on May 26 for trainer Michael McCarthy.

Richi (Practical Joke), a Grade 2 winner (2025 Santa Maria), worked six furlongs in 1:13.0 at Del Mar on Friday morning. It was the second fastest of three works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Del Mar. In her last start, she won the Santa Maria (G2) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Santa Anita on April 19 for trainer Bob Baffert.

Seismic Beauty (Uncle Mo), a Grade 2 winner (2025 Santa Margarita), worked seven furlongs in 1:24.2 at Del Mar on Friday morning. It was the only works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Del Mar. In her last start, she won the Santa Margarita (G2) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Santa Anita on May 25 for trainer Bob Baffert.

Echo Sound (Echo Town), a two-time Grade 3 winner (2025 Victory Ride, 2025 Miss Preakness), worked four furlongs in 49.0 seconds at Saratoga on Friday morning. It was the 11th fastest of 32 works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Saratoga. In her last start, she won the Victory Ride (G3) going 6 1/2 furlongs on the main track at Saratoga on July 3 for trainer Rusty Arnold.

Lammas (Heeraat), a two-time Grade 3 winner (2024 San Francisco Mile, 2022 Berkeley Handicap), worked five furlongs in 1:00.2 at Del Mar on Friday morning. It was the 14th fastest of 68 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Del Mar. In his last start, he placed fourth in an allowance race going one mile on the turf at Santa Anita on May 11 for trainer Manuel Badilla.

Antiquarian (Preservationist), a Grade 3 winner (2024 Peter Pan), worked four furlongs in 49.3 seconds at Saratoga on Friday morning. It was the 30th fastest of 60 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start, he placed second in the Suburban (G2) going 1 1/4 miles on the main track at Saratoga on July 4 for trainer Todd Pletcher.

Duvet Day (Starspangledbanner), a Grade 3 winner (2024 Cardinal), worked five furlongs in 1:01.4 at Churchill Downs on Friday morning. It was the 10th fastest of 20 works at the distance. Her previous work was six days ago going four furlongs at Churchill Downs. In her last start, she placed second in the Anchorage Overnight going 1 1/8 miles on the turf at Churchill Downs on June 29 for trainer Michael McCarthy.

Final Gambit (Not This Time), a Grade 3 winner (2025 Jeff Ruby Steaks), worked four furlongs in 48.6 seconds on turf at Saratoga on Friday morning. It was the fifth fastest of 53 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Saratoga. In his last start, he placed fifth in the Belmont Derby Invitational (G1) going 1 1/8 miles on the turf at Saratoga on July 4 for trainer Brad Cox.

Freeport Joe (English Channel), a Grade 3 winner (2021 Berkeley Handicap), worked five furlongs in 1:02.0 at Del Mar on Friday morning. It was the 56th fastest of 68 works at the distance. His previous work was 18 days ago going four furlongs at Santa Anita. In his last start, he placed seventh in the Bertrando going one mile on the main track at Los Alamitos on June 21 for trainer Gloria Haley.

Governor Sam (Improbable), a Grade 3 winner (2025 Quick Call), worked four furlongs in 48.9 seconds on turf at Saratoga on Friday morning. It was the eighth fastest of 53 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start, he won the Quick Call (G3) going 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf at Saratoga on July 13 for trainer George Weaver.

Haulin Ice (Coal Front), a Grade 3 winner (2025 Vagrancy), worked three furlongs in 37.3 seconds at Palm Meadows on Friday morning. It was the 13th fastest of 23 works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going three furlongs at Palm Meadows. In her last start, she won the Musical Romance Handicap going 6 1/2 furlongs on the main track at Gulfstream Park on June 22 for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr.

Red Flag (Tamarkuz), a Grade 3 winner (2020 Bob Hope), worked four furlongs in 51.4 seconds at Del Mar on Friday morning. It was the 49th fastest of 54 works at the distance. His previous work was 13 days ago going four furlongs at Keeneland. In his last start, he placed eighth in the Kelly's Landing (G3) going 6 1/2 furlongs on the main track at Churchill Downs on June 28 for trainer Bob Hess, Jr.

Special Wan (Belardo), a Grade 3 winner (2025 Honey Fox), worked four furlongs in 48.0 seconds at Turfway Park on Friday morning. It was the fastest of 33 works at the distance. Her previous work was 10 days ago going four furlongs at Turfway Park. In her last start, she placed third in the Just a Game (G1) going one mile on the turf at Saratoga on June 6 for trainer Brendan Walsh.

Whiskey Decision (Into Mischief), a Grade 3 winner (2025 Eatontown), worked four furlongs in 49.5 seconds on turf at Saratoga on Friday morning. It was the 10th fastest of 53 works at the distance. Her previous work was six days ago going four furlongs at Saratoga. In her last start, she won the Eatontown (G3) going 1 1/16 miles on the turf at Monmouth Park on June 14 for trainer Chad Brown.