Medina Spirit works bullet 6 furlongs to lead Thursday's tab
Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit continued his preparations for trainer Bob Baffert on Thursday with a six-furlong work in 1:11.80 at Del Mar. It was the fastest work at the distance.
A target race for Medina Spirit, who has not started since a third in the Preakness, has yet to be revealed by Baffert. A text message to the Hall of Fame trainer was not immediately returned.
Medina Spirit has worked the past three Thursday's at Del Mar following a short respite. Potential options for a next start include the $1.25 million Travers (G1) on Aug. 28, the $100,000 Shared Belief for 3-year-olds at Del Mar on Aug. 27, next Saturday's $1 million Pacific Classic (G1) against older, or await the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (G1) on Sept. 25.
Below are the early graded-stakes works from Thursday.
Medina Spirit (Protonico) a Grade 1 winner (2021 Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve) worked 6 furlongs in 1:11.8 at Del Mar on Thursday morning. It was the fastest of 3 works at the distance. His previous work was 7 days ago going 5 furlongs at Del Mar. In his last start he placed 3rd in the Preakness (G1) going 1 3/16 miles on the main track at Pimlico on May 15 for trainer Bob Baffert.
Varda (Distorted Humor) a Grade 1 winner (2020 Starlet) worked 4 furlongs in 48.8 at Los Alamitos on Thursday morning. It was the 6th fastest of 11 works at the distance. Her previous work was 11 days ago going 4 furlongs at Los Alamitos. In her last start she placed 1st in the Starlet (G1) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Los Alamitos Race Course on December 5 for trainer Bob Baffert.
Pickin' Time (Stay Thirsty) a Grade 3 winner (2020 Nashua) worked 4 furlongs in 48.0 at Monmouth Park on Thursday morning. It was the third fastest of 49 works at the distance. His previous work was 11 days ago going 4 furlongs at Monmouth Park. In his last start he placed 4th in the TVG.com Haskell (G1) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Monmouth Park on July 17 for trainer Kelly Breen.
High Velocity (Quality Road) a Grade 3 winner (2019 Bob Hope) worked 4 furlongs in 48.4 at Monmouth Park on Thursday morning. It was the 11th fastest of 49 works at the distance. His previous work was 11 days ago going 4 furlongs at Monmouth Park. In his last start he placed 5th in an allowance race going 6 1/2 furlongs on the main track at Parx Racing on April 14 for trainer Kelly Breen.
Rinaldi (Posse) a Grade 3 winner (2021 Forbidden Apple) worked 5 furlongs in 1:02.1 at Saratoga on Thursday morning. It was the 6th fastest of 8 works at the distance. His previous work was 7 days ago going 4 furlongs at Saratoga. In his last start he placed 1st in the Forbidden Apple (G3) going 1 mile on the turf at Saratoga on July 16 for trainer H. James Bond.
Happy Farm (Ghostzapper) a Grade 3 winner (2019 Fall Highweight) worked 4 furlongs in 48.5 at Saratoga on Thursday morning. It was the 13th fastest of 59 works at the distance. His previous work was 15 days ago going 4 furlongs at Belmont Park. In his last start he placed 2nd in a claiming race going 6 1/2 furlongs on the main track at Belmont Park on July 1 for trainer Rob Atras.
Masqueparade (Upstart) a Grade 3 winner (2021 Ohio Derby) worked 4 furlongs in 47.5 at Saratoga on Thursday morning. It was the 4th fastest of 59 works at the distance. This is his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed 3rd in the Jim Dandy (G2) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Saratoga on July 31 for trainer Al Stall Jr.. He is targeting the $1.25 million Travers (G1) on Aug. 28.
Second of July (Jack Milton) a Grade 3 winner (2020 Futurity) worked 4 furlongs in 52.9 at Saratoga on Thursday morning. It was the 14th fastest of 14 works at the distance. His previous work was 6 days ago going 4 furlongs at Saratoga. In his last start he placed 5th in the Quick Call (G3) going 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf at Saratoga on July 15 for trainer Philip A. Gleaves.