Friday works: Mo Plex points toward start in Jim Dandy

Dual graded stakes-winning New York-bred Mo Plex worked Friday over the main track at Saratoga as he eyes the Grade 2, $500,000 Jim Dandy on July 26.

The sophomore son of Complexity worked a solo half-mile in 49.25 seconds under jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., who rode the colt to victories in his first three races last year, including the Sanford (G3) and state-bred Funny Cide at the Spa.

Trainer Jeremiah Englehart said he was pleased with the breeze and that the colt is likely to be rerouted from the Haskell (G1) on July 19 at Monmouth Park to the Jim Dandy in his own backyard a week later. Englehart conditions Mo Plex for owner R and H Stable.

“Irad was very happy, and it seemed like the work went really well,” Englehart said. “His goal this week was to kind of slow him down and gradually ask him to keep going, and he did really well. He galloped out in 14 and 2 and he was tough to pull up, so everything seems like it’s still going well. It looks like we’re leaning towards the Jim Dandy now.”

Both the Jim Dandy and the Haskell are slated to feature this division’s top two contenders, as Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner Sovereignty is targeting the former and Preakness winner Journalism is likely for the latter. With no easy task in either race, Englehart said it made sense to stay home for the battle rather than ship to New Jersey.

“When you have to run against Sovereignty, even if we ran the race in Mo Plex’s stall I don’t think we’d have the advantage,” Englehart said, with a laugh. “The owners are local and this is where they originally wanted to run. You pick your poison. Do you run against Journalism in the Haskell with a heavier pace, or do you stay here and run against Sovereignty with a race that is probably going to have fewer horses and you don’t have to travel?

“For me, I live in Schuylerville and I absolutely love this meet, so I would much rather run here than anywhere else,” Englehart added.

Mo Plex is currently in career-best form after taking the Ohio Derby (G3) by two lengths last out on June 21 in his first attempt around two turns, stalking the pace in second early under Joseph Ramos and pouncing to the lead in the stretch to drive home strongly over the fast Thistledown dirt. He completed the nine furlongs in 1:50.72 and earned a career-best 96 Beyer Speed Figure from Daily Racing Form in victory.

A model of consistency, Mo Plex has hit the board in each of his eight outings, including an additional stakes win in the seven-furlong Bay Shore two starts back at Aqueduct and a Grade 1 placing when third to Chancer McPatrick in the Champagne (G1) in October there.

“I still think his best races are in front of him, so hopefully he continues to prove me right,” Englehart said. “He just keeps going and going. Irad said today that he couldn’t pull him up until the three-eighths pole. He was going out the gap before he could pull him up. It’s always been him. He absolutely loves to train and loves to race, and I just try to stay out of his way. I pick a spot and work from there, and we try to keep him happy.”

Mo Plex was one of 32 graded-stakes winners with published works Friday.

Fierceness (City of Light), a three-time Grade 1 winner (2024 Travers, 2024 Florida Derby, 2023 Breeders' Cup Juvenile), worked five furlongs in 1:01.6 at Saratoga on Friday morning. It was the fourth fastest of 10 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Saratoga. In his last start he placed second in the Metropolitan Handicap (G1) going one mile on the main track at Saratoga on June 7 for trainer Todd Pletcher.

Chancer McPatrick (McKinzie), a two-time Grade 1 winner (2024 Champagne, 2024 Hopeful), worked four furlongs in 49.9 seconds at Saratoga on Friday morning. It was the 66th fastest of 92 works at the distance. His previous work was six days ago going four furlongs at Saratoga. In his last start he placed seventh in the Woody Stephens (G1) going seven furlongs on the main track at Saratoga on June 7 for trainer Chad Brown.

La Cara (Street Sense), a two-time Grade 1 winner (2025 Acorn, 2025 Ashland), worked four furlongs in 49.0 seconds at Saratoga on Friday morning. It was the 28th fastest of 92 works at the distance. Her previous work was six 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.

Raging Sea (Curlin), a two-time Grade 1 winner (2025 La Troienne, 2024 Personal Ensign), worked four furlongs in 48.5 seconds at Saratoga on Friday morning. It was the 14th fastest of 92 works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Saratoga. In her last start she placed third in the Ogden Phipps (G1) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Saratoga on June 6 for trainer Chad Brown.

Beyond Brilliant (Twirling Candy), a Grade 1 winner (2021 Hollywood Derby), worked five furlongs in 1:01.6 at Santa Anita on Friday morning. It was the 36th fastest of 57 works at the distance. His previous work was nine days ago going five furlongs at Santa Anita. In his last start he placed second in the Seabiscuit Handicap (G2) going 1 1/16 miles on the turf at Del Mar on Nov. 26 for trainer John Shirreffs.

Tenma (Nyquist), a Grade 1 winner (2024 Del Mar Debutante), worked four furlongs in 48.2 seconds at Santa Anita on Friday morning. It was the second fastest of 17 works at the distance. Her previous work was 11 days ago going five furlongs at Santa Anita. In her last start she placed fourth in the Kentucky Oaks (G1) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Churchill Downs on May 2 for trainer Bob Baffert.

Barnes (Into Mischief), a Grade 2 winner (2025 San Vicente), worked five furlongs in 1:00.0 at Santa Anita on Friday morning. It was the eighth fastest of 57 works at the distance. His previous work was 12 days ago going four furlongs at Santa Anita. In his last start he placed fifth in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Santa Anita on April 5 for trainer Bob Baffert.

First Peace (Funtastic), a Grade 2 winner (2024 California Crown Eddie D), worked four furlongs in 49.8 seconds at Santa Anita on Friday morning. It was the 45th fastest of 54 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going three furlongs at Santa Anita. In his last start he won the California Crown Eddie D (G2) going 6 1/2 furlongs on the turf at Santa Anita on Sept. 28 for trainer Mark Glatt.

Gun Song (Gun Runner), a Grade 2 winner (2024 Black-Eyed Susan), worked four furlongs in 49.9 seconds at Saratoga on Friday morning. It was the 66th fastest of 92 works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Saratoga. In her last start she placed second in the Obeah going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Delaware Park on June 14 for trainer Mark Hennig.

I'm Very Busy (Cloud Computing), a Grade 2 winner (2024 Muniz Memorial Classic), worked four furlongs in 49.8 seconds at Belmont Park on Friday morning. It was the 31st fastest of 58 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Belmont Park. In his last start he placed seventh in the Manhattan (G1) going 1 3/16 miles on the turf at Saratoga on June 8 for trainer Chad Brown.

Macho Music (Maclean's Music), a Grade 2 winner (2025 Pat Day Mile), worked five furlongs in 1:01.4 at Churchill Training on Friday morning. It was the second fastest of three works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Churchill Training. In his last start he placed seventh in the Woody Stephens (G1) going seven furlongs on the main track at Saratoga on June 7 for trainer Rohan Crichton.

Minaret Station (Instilled Regard), a Grade 2 winner (2024 Bourbon), worked four furlongs in 49.6 seconds at Saratoga on Friday morning. It was the 58th fastest of 92 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he won the American Derby going 1 1/16 miles on the turf at Churchill Downs on June 28 for trainer Will Walden.

Tiztastic (Tiz the Law), a Grade 2 winner (2025 Louisiana Derby), worked five furlongs in 1:01.8 at Saratoga on Friday morning. It was the faster of two works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed fifth in the American Derby going 1 1/16 miles on the turf at Churchill Downs on June 28 for trainer Steve Asmussen.

World Record (Gun Runner), a Grade 2 winner (2024 Amsterdam), worked five furlongs in 1:00.6 at Keeneland on Friday morning. It was the second fastest of seven works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Keeneland. In his last start he placed second in the Aristides (G3) going six furlongs on the main track at Churchill Downs on May 31 for trainer Rodolphe Brisset.

Beach Bomb (SAF) (Lancaster Bomber), a two-time Grade 3 winner (2025 Orchid, 2025 The Very One), worked four furlongs in 50.4 seconds on turf at Fair Hill on Friday morning. It was the fastest of six works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Fair Hill. In her last start she placed second in the New York (G1) going 1 3/16 miles on the turf at Saratoga on June 6 for trainer Graham Motion.

Goliad (War Front), a two-time Grade 3 winner (2024 Mint Millions, 2024 Thunder Road), worked four furlongs in 47.8 seconds at Santa Anita on Friday morning. It was the fastest of 17 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed sixth in the Daytona (G3) going 6 1/2 furlongs on the turf at Santa Anita on June 14 for trainer Richard Mandella.

Mo Plex (Complexity), a two-time Grade 3 winner (2025 Ohio Derby, 2024 Sanford), worked four furlongs in 49.2 seconds at Saratoga on Friday morning. It was the 46th fastest of 92 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Saratoga. In his last start he won the Ohio Derby (G3) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Thistledown on June 21 for trainer Jeremiah Englehart.

Roll On Big Joe (Prospective), a two-time Grade 3 winner (2025 Kelly's Landing, 2025 Palos Verdes), worked three furlongs in 35.2 seconds at Keeneland on Friday morning. It was the fastest of 14 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he won 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.

Tawny Port (Pioneerof the Nile), a two-time Grade 3 winner (2022 Ohio Derby, 2022 Lexington), worked four furlongs in 49.7 seconds at Saratoga on Friday morning. It was the 11th fastest of 35 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Saratoga. In his last start he placed seventh in the Belmont Gold Cup (G3) going 1 3/4 miles on the main track at Saratoga on June 6 for trainer Miguel Clement.

Artislas (Catalina Cruiser), a Grade 3 winner (2024 Del Mar Juvenile Turf), worked five furlongs in 1:01.2 at Santa Anita on Friday morning. It was the 10th fastest of 12 works at the distance. His previous work was 11 days ago going five furlongs at Santa Anita. In his last start he placed fifth in the Cinema going one mile on the turf at Santa Anita on May 11 for trainer Jeff Mullins.

Fondly (Upstart), a Grade 3 winner (2025 Delaware Oaks), worked five furlongs in 1:01.4 at Fair Hill on Friday morning. It was the only work at the distance. Her previous work was eight days ago going four furlongs at Fair Hill. In her last start she won the Delaware Oaks (G3) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Delaware Park on June 14 for trainer Graham Motion.

Full Moon Madness (Into Mischief), a Grade 3 winner (2025 Tom Fool), worked four furlongs in 48.0 seconds at Saratoga on Friday morning. It was the fourth fastest of 92 works at the distance. His previous work was eight days ago going four furlongs at Belmont Park. In his last start he won the Alapocas Run going six furlongs on the main track at Delaware Park on June 14 for trainer Michelle Nevin.

La Mehana (Al Wukair), a Grade 3 winner (2024 Waya), worked four furlongs in 50.8 seconds at Saratoga on Friday morning. It was the 26th fastest of 35 works at the distance. This was her first work since her last race. In her last start she won an allowance race going 1 3/8 miles on the turf at Belmont at the Big A on June 27 for trainer Miguel Clement.

Lagynos (Kantharos), a Grade 3 winner (2024 Commonwealth Turf), worked four furlongs in 51.4 seconds at Saratoga on Friday morning. It was the 27th fastest of 35 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed third in the Wise Dan (G2) going 1 1/16 miles on the turf at Churchill Downs on June 28 for trainer Steve Asmussen.

Lemon Muffin (Collected), a Grade 3 winner (2024 Honeybee), worked five furlongs in 1:00.6 at Keeneland on Friday morning. It was the second fastest of seven works at the distance. Her previous work was 11 days ago going four furlongs at Churchill Downs. In her last start she placed fourth in an allowance race going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Churchill Downs on June 13 for trainer D. Wayne Lukas.

Majestic Eagle (Medaglia d'Oro), a Grade 3 winner (2019 American), worked five furlongs in 1:03.6 at Delaware Park on Friday morning. It was the slowest of four works at the distance. His previous work was eight days ago going five furlongs at Delaware Park. In his last start he placed seventh in a claiming race going 1 1/16 miles on the turf at Penn National on June 26 for trainer Michael Simone.

Mo Stash (Mo Town), a Grade 3 winner (2023 Transylvania), worked four furlongs in 48.2 seconds at Keeneland on Friday morning. It was the 12th fastest of 53 works at the distance. His previous work was six days ago going four furlongs at Keeneland. In his last start he placed seventh in the Holiday Cheer going six furlongs on the synthetic at Turfway Park on Dec. 14 for trainer Vicki Oliver.

Nitti (Make Believe), a Grade 3 winner (2025 San Juan Capistrano), worked four furlongs in 53.8 seconds at Santa Anita on Friday morning. It was the slowest of 17 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he won the San Juan Capistrano (G3) going 1 3/4 miles on the turf at Santa Anita on June 15 for trainer Leonard Powell.

Royal Spa (Violence), a Grade 3 winner (2025 Shawnee), worked four furlongs in 49.8 seconds at Keeneland on Friday morning. It was the 32nd fastest of 53 works at the distance. This was her first work since her last race. In her last start she placed second in the Fleur de Lis (G2) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Churchill Downs on June 28 for trainer Rodolphe Brisset.

Sittin On Go (Brody's Cause), a Grade 3 winner (2020 Iroquois), worked three furlongs in 39.4 seconds at Churchill Training on Friday morning. It was the 13th fastest of 14 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed fourth in a claiming race going one mile on the main track at Churchill Downs on June 20 for trainer David Jacobson.

Tax Implications (Mehmas), a Grade 3 winner (2024 Eatontown), worked four furlongs in 49.8 seconds at Belmont Park on Friday morning. It was the 25th fastest of 58 works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Belmont Park. In her last start she placed fifth in the Churchill Distaff Turf Mile (G2) going one mile on the turf at Churchill Downs on May 3 for trainer Chad Brown.

Toupie (Uncle Mo), a Grade 3 winner (2025 Las Cienegas), worked four furlongs in 50.4 seconds at Fair Hill on Friday morning. It was the ninth fastest of 10 works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Fair Hill. In her last start she placed sixth in the Royal North (G3) going 6 1/2 furlongs on the turf at Woodbine on May 31 for trainer Graham Motion.