Monday tab: 13 graded winners include Vahva, Express Train

Vahva, who won the Grade 2 Raven Run at Keeneland in her most recent start last October, continues working toward her 4-year-old debut. The daughter of Gun Runner, trained by Cherie DeVaux, worked an easy four furlongs in 52.8 seconds. She had been working regularly at Fair Grounds from Feb. 10 through March 10. This was her first work at Keeneland this year, and she is possible to make her return in the Madison (G1) there on April 6.

Grade 1 winner Express Train, who has not raced since finishing fifth behind Defunded in the 2022 Awesome Again (G1), continues training toward a comeback. The John Shirreffs trainee, a 7-year-old horse by Union Rags, has been a regular on the Santa Anita work tab since Feb. 3. His Monday drill was a sharp five furlongs in 1:00.0, second-fastest of 44 at the trip.

These 13 graded-stakes winners worked across the country Monday morning:

Express Train (Union Rags), a Grade 1 winner (2022 Santa Anita Handicap), worked five furlongs in 1:00.0 at Santa Anita on Monday morning. It was the second fastest of 44 works at the distance. His previous work was nine days ago going five furlongs at Santa Anita. In his last start he placed fourth in the 2022 Awesome Again (G1) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Santa Anita on Oct. 1 for trainer John Shirreffs.

Gold Phoenix (Belardo), a Grade 1 winner (2023 Frank E. Kilroe Mile), worked five furlongs in 1:01.0 at Santa Anita on Monday morning. It was the 17th fastest of 44 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Santa Anita. In his last start he placed fourth in the Breeders' Cup Turf going 1 1/2 miles on the turf at Santa Anita on Nov. 4 for trainer Phil D'Amato.

There Goes Harvard (Will Take Charge), a Grade 1 winner (2022 Hollywood Gold Cup), worked four furlongs in 48.0 seconds at Santa Anita on Monday morning. It was the ninth fastest of 55 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Santa Anita. In his last start he placed fifth in the Santa Anita Handicap (G1) going 1 1/4 miles on the main track at Santa Anita on March 4 for trainer Michael McCarthy.

Elm Drive (Mohaymen), a Grade 2 winner (2021 Sorrento), worked five furlongs in 1:00.6 at Santa Anita on Monday morning. It was the eighth fastest of 44 works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Santa Anita. In her last start she placed second in the Las Cienegas (G3) going 6 1/2 furlongs on the turf at Santa Anita on Jan. 14 for trainer Phil D'Amato.

Evvie Jets (Twirling Candy), a Grade 2 winner (2023 Ballston Spa), worked four furlongs in 50.0 seconds at Belmont Park on Monday morning. It was the 24th fastest of 30 works at the distance. Her previous work was five days ago going three furlongs at Belmont Park. In her last start she placed third in the First Lady (G1) going one mile on the turf at Keeneland on Oct. 7 for trainer Mertkan Kantarmaci.

Nothing Like You (Malibu Moon), a Grade 2 winner (2023 Starlet), worked five furlongs in 1:00.2 at Santa Anita on Monday morning. It was the fourth fastest of 44 works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Santa Anita. In her last start she placed fourth in the Las Virgenes (G3) going one mile on the main track at Santa Anita on Feb. 10 for trainer Bob Baffert.

Vahva (Gun Runner), a Grade 2 winner (2023 Raven Run), worked four furlongs in 52.8 seconds at Keeneland on Monday morning. It was the slower of two works at the distance. Her previous work was eight days ago going four furlongs at Fair Grounds. In her last start she won the Raven Run (G2) going seven furlongs on the main track at Keeneland on Oct. 21 for trainer Cherie DeVaux.

Motorious (Muhaarar), a two-time Grade 3 winner (2023 Green Flash Handicap, 2023 San Simeon), worked five furlongs in 1:01.4 at Santa Anita on Monday morning. It was the 28th fastest of 44 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Santa Anita. In his last start he placed fifth in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint going five furlongs on the turf at Santa Anita on Nov. 4 for trainer Phil D'Amato.

Cogburn (Not This Time), a Grade 3 winner (2023 Troy), worked four furlongs in 50.8 seconds at Fair Grounds on Monday morning. It was the ninth fastest of 13 works at the distance. His previous work was nine days ago going four furlongs at Fair Grounds. In his last start he placed fifth in the Turf Sprint (G2) going six furlongs on the turf at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 9 for trainer Steve Asmussen.

Frosted Grace (Mark Valeski), a Grade 3 winner (2023 Steve Sexton Mile), worked four furlongs in 48.6 seconds at Oaklawn on Monday morning. It was the eighth fastest of 40 works at the distance. His previous work was eight days ago going five furlongs at Oaklawn. In his last start he won a claiming race going one mile on the main track at Oaklawn on Jan. 13 for trainer Robertino Diodoro.

Kopion (Omaha Beach), a Grade 3 winner (2024 Santa Ynez), worked six furlongs in 1:12.0 at Santa Anita on Monday morning. It was the fastest of five works at the distance. Her previous work was eight days ago going six furlongs at Santa Anita. In her last start she placed second in the Las Virgenes (G3) going one mile on the main track at Santa Anita on Feb. 10 for trainer Richard Mandella.

Liberal Arts (Arrogate), a Grade 3 winner (2023 Street Sense), worked four furlongs in 50.6 seconds at The Thoroughbred Center on Monday morning. It was the seventh fastest of seven works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at The Thoroughbred Center. In his last start he placed third in the Southwest (G3) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Oaklawn on Feb. 3 for trainer Robert Medina.

Stronghold (Ghostzapper), a Grade 3 winner (2024 Sunland Park Derby), worked five furlongs in 1:00.6 at Santa Anita on Monday morning. It was the eighth fastest of 44 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Santa Anita. In his last start he won the Sunland Park Derby (G3) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Sunland Park on Feb. 18 for trainer Phil D'Amato.