Monday works: 24 graded winners include Taiba, Gunite

Three-time Grade 1 winner Taiba, unraced since an eighth-place finish in the Grade 1 Saudi Cup on Feb. 25, returned to the work tab Monday for the first time since June 2. He covered four furlongs in 48.8 seconds over the dirt at Del Mar. His Saudi Cup defeat was his only race so far this year, though in the start before that he cut back successfully to win the Malibu (G1) at seven furlongs.

Gunite, who came within a head of defeating champion sprinter Elite Power in the Alfred G. Vanderbilt (G1) on July 29, posted his second work back from that race Monday. He drilled five furlongs on the Saratoga dirt in 1:00.6, third fastest of eight drills at that distance.

These 24 graded-stakes winners worked across North America on Monday morning.

Taiba (Gun Runner), a three-time Grade 1 winner (2022 Malibu, 2022 Pennsylvania Derby, 2022 Santa Anita Derby), worked four furlongs in 48.8 seconds at Del Mar on Monday morning. It was the 27th fastest of 58 works at the distance. His previous work was 73 days ago going seven furlongs at Santa Anita. In his last start he placed eighth in the Saudi Cup (G1) going 1 1/8 miles on the dirt at King Abdulaziz Racecourse on Feb. 25 for trainer Bob Baffert.

Defunded (Dialed In), a two-time Grade 1 winner (2023 Hollywood Gold Cup, 2022 Awesome Again), worked five furlongs in 59.0 seconds at Del Mar on Monday morning. It was the fastest of 51 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Del Mar. In his last start he placed fourth in the San Diego Handicap (G2) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Del Mar on July 29 for trainer Bob Baffert.

Chi Town Lady (Verrazano), a Grade 1 winner (2022 Test), worked four furlongs in 48.4 seconds at Saratoga on Monday morning. It was the fifth fastest of 18 works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Keeneland. In her last start she placed third in an allowance race going seven furlongs on the main track at Belmont Park on June 16 for trainer Wesley Ward.

Faiza (Girvin), a Grade 1 winner (2022 Starlet), worked six furlongs in 1:12.4 at Del Mar on Monday morning. It was the second fastest of three works at the distance. Her previous work was six days ago going five furlongs at Del Mar. In her last start she placed third in the Black-Eyed Susan (G2) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Pimlico on May 19 for trainer Bob Baffert.

Gunite (Gun Runner), a Grade 1 winner (2021 Hopeful), worked five furlongs in 1:00.6 at Saratoga on Monday morning. It was the third fastest of eight 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 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap (G1) going six furlongs on the main track at Saratoga on July 29 for trainer Steve Asmussen.

Pauline's Pearl (Tapit), a Grade 1 winner (2022 La Troienne), worked five furlongs in 1:00.0 at Saratoga on Monday morning. It was the fastest of eight works at the distance. Her previous work was eight days ago going five furlongs at Saratoga. In her last start she won the Fleur de Lis (G2) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Ellis Park on July 1 for trainer Steve Asmussen.

Bran (Muhaarar), a Grade 2 winner (2022 Kentucky Downs Turf Sprint), worked five furlongs in 59.2 seconds at Del Mar on Monday morning. It was the second fastest of 51 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Del Mar. In his last start he won the Turf Sprint (G2) going six furlongs on the turf at Kentucky Downs on Sep. 10 for trainer John Sadler.

Brickyard Ride (Clubhouse Ride), a Grade 2 winner (2021 San Carlos), worked five furlongs in 1:00.4 at Del Mar on Monday morning. It was the ninth fastest of 51 works at the distance. His previous work was five days ago going five furlongs at Del Mar. In his last start he placed third in the San Diego Handicap (G2) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Del Mar on July 29 for trainer Craig Anthony Lewis.

Dorth Vader (Girvin), a Grade 2 winner (2023 Davona Dale), worked five furlongs in 1:01.1 at Saratoga on Monday morning. It was the fifth fastest of 12 works at the distance. This was her first work since her last race. In her last start she placed fourth in the Test (G1) going seven furlongs on the main track at Saratoga on Aug. 5 for trainer George Weaver.

High Oak (Gormley), a Grade 2 winner (2021 Saratoga Special), worked four furlongs in 48.8 seconds at Belmont Park on Monday morning. It was the 16th fastest of 52 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed second in an allowance race going six furlongs on the main track at Saratoga on July 29 for trainer Bill Mott.

Pixelate (City Zip), a Grade 2 winner (2020 Del Mar Derby), worked four furlongs in 49.2 seconds at Fair Hill on Monday morning. It was the second fastest of four works at the distance. His previous work was nine days ago going three furlongs at Fair Hill. In his last start he placed fifth in the Fair Grounds (G3) going 1 1/8 miles on the turf at Fair Grounds on Feb. 18 for trainer Michael Stidham.

Spirit of Makena (Ghostzapper), a Grade 2 winner (2023 Triple Bend), worked four furlongs in 49.2 seconds at Del Mar on Monday morning. It was the 33rd fastest of 58 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed 12th in the Bing Crosby (G1) going six furlongs on the main track at Del Mar on July 29 for trainer George Papaprodromou.

Faith in Humanity (Lope de Vega), a two-time Grade 3 winner (2023 Honey Fox, 2022 Pebbles), worked four furlongs in 49.0 seconds at Belmont Park on Monday morning. It was the 22nd fastest of 52 works at the distance. Her previous work was eight days ago going three furlongs at Belmont Park. In her last start she won the Honey Fox (G3) going one mile on the turf at Gulfstream Park on March 4 for trainer Chad Brown.

Packs a Wahlop (Creative Cause), a two-time Grade 3 winner (2022 Zuma Beach, 2022 Del Mar Juvenile Turf), worked five furlongs in 1:02.2 at Del Mar on Monday morning. It was the 43rd fastest of 51 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Del Mar. In his last start he placed fourth in the Sham (G3) going one mile on the main track at Santa Anita on Jan. 8 for trainer Jeff Mullins.

Big Invasion (Declaration of War), a Grade 3 winner (2022 Quick Call ), worked three furlongs in 37.2 seconds at Saratoga on Monday morning. It was the second fastest of four works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed 13th in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee (G1) going six furlongs on the turf at Ascot on June 24 for trainer Christophe Clement.

Clear Vision (Artie Schiller), a Grade 3 winner (2022 Tropical Turf), worked five furlongs in 1:02.0 at Belmont Park on Monday morning. It was the third fastest of 15 works at the distance. His previous work was eight days ago going five furlongs at Belmont Park. In his last start he placed second in an allowance race going 1 1/16 miles on the turf at Monmouth Park on July 7 for trainer Robert N. Falcone Jr.

Dance to the Music (Maclean's Music), a Grade 3 winner (2023 Desert Stormer), worked four furlongs in 48.0 seconds at Del Mar on Monday morning. It was the 13th fastest of 58 works at the distance. This was her first work since her last race. In her last start she placed sixth in the Governor's Cup going six furlongs on the main track at Sacramento on July 22 for trainer Mark Glatt.

Disarm (Gun Runner), a Grade 3 winner (2023 Matt Winn), worked five furlongs in 1:00.0 at Saratoga on Monday morning. It was the fastest of eight works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Saratoga. In his last start he placed fourth in the Jim Dandy (G2) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Saratoga on July 29 for trainer Steve Asmussen.

Emaraaty (Dubawi), a Grade 3 winner (2022 Bernard Baruch Handicap), worked four furlongs in 49.8 seconds at Saratoga on Monday morning. It was the 13th fastest of 20 works at the distance. His previous work was 22 days ago going four furlongs at Saratoga. In his last start he placed sixth in the Poker (G3) going one mile on the turf at Belmont Park on June 10 for trainer Chad Brown.

Hot Peppers (Khozan), a Grade 3 winner (2022 Victory Ride), worked five furlongs in 59.6 seconds at Del Mar on Monday morning. It was the fourth fastest of 51 works at the distance. Her previous work was eight days ago going five furlongs at Los Alamitos. In her last start she placed fourth in the Prioress (G2) going six furlongs on the main track at Saratoga on Sep. 2 for trainer Rudy R. Rodriguez.

Lady T (Into Mischief), a Grade 3 winner (2022 Las Flores), worked five furlongs in 1:01.8 at Del Mar on Monday morning. It was the 38th fastest of 51 works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Del Mar. In her last start she won an allowance race going six furlongs on the main track at Del Mar on July 27 for trainer John Shirreffs.

Nostalgic (Medaglia d'Oro), a Grade 3 winner (2022 Gazelle), worked four furlongs in 48.1 seconds at Saratoga on Monday morning. It was the fourth fastest of 20 works at the distance. Her previous work was 12 days ago going four furlongs at Saratoga. In her last start she placed second in an allowance race going one mile on the main track at Saratoga on July 19 for trainer Bill Mott.

Roses for Debra (Liam's Map), a Grade 3 winner (2023 Caress), worked four furlongs in 48.5 seconds at Saratoga on Monday morning. It was the sixth fastest of 18 works at the distance. Her previous work was eight days ago going three furlongs at Saratoga. In her last start she won the Caress (G3) going 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf at Saratoga on July 22 for trainer Christophe Clement.

Zoffarelli (Zoffany), a Grade 3 winner (2021 La Jolla Handicap), worked five furlongs in 1:01.4 at Del Mar on Monday morning. It was the 30th fastest of 51 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Del Mar. In his last start he placed fourth in an allowance race going five furlongs on the turf at Del Mar on July 29 for trainer Jeff Mullins.