Saturday works: Crazy Mason tunes up for Cigar Mile

Crazy Mason breezed a solo half-mile in 47.60 seconds on Saturday over the Belmont Park dirt training track and trainer Gregg Sacco confirmed he is targeting the Grade 2, $500,000 Cigar Mile Handicap on December 6, at Aqueduct Racetrack.

The 4-year-old Coal Front gray, owned by Donna Wright and Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, made his last two efforts at seven furlongs. Those races included a 1 3/4-length third to Book’em Danno in the Forego (G1) in August at Saratoga ahead of a last-out 1 1/2-length second to Patriot Spirit in the Vosburgh (G3) on September 27 at Belmont at the Big A.

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“Starting to tighten the screws a little bit on him,” said Sacco of the bullet work. “He had a couple of maintenance works. We gave him a breather after the Vosburgh and pointed to the Cigar Mile. We skipped the Forty Niner because we wanted him as fresh as possible going into this race to end his 4-year-old campaign. We’ve been targeting this since mid-summer.”

Crazy Mason, utilizing his typical deep-closing tactics, captured the seven-furlong Carter (G2) in April at Aqueduct Racetrack to cap a local three-race win streak, all in sprints. He exited to run a four-length third to Book’em Danno in the True North (G3) at the Spa, ahead of a sixth in the six-furlong Bing Crosby (G1) at Del Mar and his aforementioned graded placings.

Crazy Mason has made six efforts at one mile or beyond among his 17: 5-3-4 record, including distant thirds in the one-mile Rocky Run as a juvenile at Delaware Park and in last year’s one-mile and 70-yard Long Branch at Monmouth Park.

“I don’t think this distance is going to be a problem for him,” Sacco said. “I think it is well within his wheelhouse. It is a little different strategically run race, but he’s so talented and so honest, whether it's a paceless race or not, he still finishes. Even in the Bing Crosby, he was rolling on a very hard track to close on at Del Mar.”

Also on the tab for Sacco was Donna Wright’s Just Beat the Odds, who covered a half-mile in 48.75. The 5-year-old Munnings gelding is possible for the $250,000 Elite Power (G3) a six-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds and up on the Cigar Mile day card.

“He may run in the sprint stakes, he worked super this morning,” said Sacco. “He’s coming off a layoff. Bruce Jackson (at Fair Hill) did a great job with him in his time off. He sent him back to us with a lot of foundation into him. Two works to go, everything has to go perfectly, but if everything goes perfectly, we’re going to run in the sprint stakes on the same day (as Cigar Mile).”

Just Beat the Odds was a last-out neck second to Surveillance sprinting six furlongs over sloppy and sealed footing on April 12 here. He previously dominated a local 6 1/2-furlong optional claimer in March and earned a career-best 103 Beyer Speed Figure. The dark bay has made one stakes attempt among 12 outings, a close second over the Elite Power course and distance in the off-the-turf 2023 Carle Place.

Raging Sea (Curlin), a two-time Grade 1 winner (2025 La Troienne, 2024 Personal Ensign), worked five furlongs in 1:02.8 at Churchill Downs on Saturday morning. It was the 50th fastest of 54 works at the distance. Her previous work was six days ago going four furlongs at Churchill Downs. In her last start, she placed fourth in the Personal Ensign (G1) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Saratoga on Aug. 23 for trainer Chad Brown.

Howard Wolowitz (Munnings), a Grade 1 winner (2024 Franklin-Simpson), worked three furlongs in 36.9 seconds at Palm Meadows on Saturday morning. It was the 20th fastest of 39 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start, he placed seventh in the Turf Mile (G1) going one mile on the turf at Keeneland on Oct. 4 for trainer Jose D'Angelo.

Lush Lips (Ten Sovereigns), a Grade 1 winner (2025 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup), worked four furlongs in 48.8 seconds at Turfway Park on Saturday morning. It was the 32nd fastest of 127 works at the distance. Her previous work was six days ago going four furlongs at Turfway Park. In her last start, she won the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1) going 1 1/8 miles on the turf at Keeneland on Oct. 11 for trainer Brendan Walsh.

Rattle N Roll (Connect), a Grade 1 winner (2021 Breeders' Futurity), worked five furlongs in 1:00.6 at Churchill Downs on Saturday morning. It was the seventh fastest of 54 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Churchill Downs. In his last start, he placed second in the Fayette (G3) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Keeneland on Oct. 25 for trainer Kenny McPeek.

Tappan Street (Into Mischief), a Grade 1 winner (2025 Florida Derby), worked five furlongs in 1:01.2 at Payson Park on Saturday morning. It was the only works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Payson Park. In his last start, he won the Florida Derby (G1) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Gulfstream Park on March 29 for trainer Brad Cox.

Arrest Me Red (Pioneerof the Nile), a Grade 2 winner (2022 Turf Sprint), worked five furlongs in 1:01.6 at Keeneland on Saturday morning. It was the third fastest of 11 works at the distance. His previous work was eight days ago going four furlongs at Keeneland. In his last start, he placed fifth in the Woodford (G2) going 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf at Keeneland on Oct. 4 for trainer Wesley Ward.

Baby Yoda (Prospective), a Grade 2 winner (2024 True North), worked four furlongs in 49.7 seconds at Belmont Park on Saturday morning. It was the 85th fastest of 178 works at the distance. His previous work was eight days ago going five furlongs at Belmont Park. In his last start, he placed eighth in the Vosburgh (G3) going seven furlongs on the main track at Belmont at the Big A on Sept. 27 for trainer Robert Falcone Jr.

Bear River (Flameaway), a Grade 2 winner (2025 Turf Sprint), worked four furlongs in 48.8 seconds at Churchill Downs on Saturday morning. It was the 57th fastest of 143 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start, he placed 11th in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint going five furlongs on the turf at Del Mar on Nov. 1 for trainer Keith Desormeaux.

Crazy Mason (Coal Front), a Grade 2 winner (2025 Carter), worked four furlongs in 47.6 seconds at Belmont Park on Saturday morning. It was the third fastest of 178 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Belmont Park. In his last start, he placed second in the Vosburgh (G3) going seven furlongs on the main track at Belmont at the Big A on Sept. 27 for trainer Greg Sacco.

Honor Marie (Honor Code), a Grade 2 winner (2023 Kentucky Jockey Club), worked five furlongs in 1:01.6 at Churchill Downs on Saturday morning. It was the 33rd fastest of 54 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Churchill Downs. In his last start, he placed sixth in the Fayette (G3) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Keeneland on Oct. 25 for trainer Whit Beckman.

Offlee Naughty (Flashback), a Grade 2 winner (2023 Charles Whittingham), worked three furlongs in 38.0 seconds at Gulfstream Park on Saturday morning. It was the 10th fastest of 16 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 1 3/8 miles on the turf at Del Mar on Aug. 22 for trainer Michael McCarthy.

One Timer (Trappe Shot), a Grade 2 winner (2022 Franklin-Simpson), worked four furlongs in 47.0 seconds at Turfway Park on Saturday morning. It was the fastest of 127 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start, he placed fifth in an allowance race going 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf at Hawthorne on Oct. 30 for trainer Larry Rivelli.

Quietside (Malibu Moon), a Grade 2 winner (2025 Fantasy), worked four furlongs in 48.8 seconds at Churchill Downs on Saturday morning. It was the 57th fastest of 143 works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Churchill Downs. In her last start, she placed eighth in the Raven Run (G2) going seven furlongs on the main track at Keeneland on Oct. 18 for trainer John Ortiz.

Segesta (Ghostzapper), a Grade 2 winner (2024 Wonder Again), worked four furlongs in 49.0 seconds at Belmont Park on Saturday morning. It was the 31st fastest of 178 works at the distance. Her previous work was six days ago going four furlongs at Belmont Park. In her last start, she placed second in the First Lady (G1) going one mile on the turf at Keeneland on Oct. 4 for trainer Chad Brown.

Stolen Base (Bodemeister), a Grade 2 winner (2022 American Turf), worked four furlongs in 48.8 seconds at Belmont Park on Saturday morning. It was the 26th fastest of 178 works at the distance. His previous work was 21 days ago going four furlongs at Belmont Park. In his last start, he placed fourth in a claiming race going one mile on the main track at Saratoga on Aug. 16 for trainer Bruce Levine.

Verity (Nyquist), a Grade 2 winner (2025 Beaumont), worked five furlongs in 1:02.0 at Turfway Park on Saturday morning. It was the 25th fastest of 34 works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Turfway Park. In her last start, she placed fifth in the Eight Belles (G2) going seven furlongs on the main track at Churchill Downs on May 2 for trainer Eoin Harty.

Pin Up Betty (Constitution), a two-time Grade 3 winner (2025 Mint Julep, 2024 Regret), worked five furlongs in 1:00.6 at Churchill Downs on Saturday morning. It was the seventh fastest of 54 works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Churchill Downs. In her last start, she placed fifth in the First Lady (G1) going one mile on the turf at Keeneland on Oct. 4 for trainer Mike Maker.

Best Actor (Flatter), a Grade 3 winner (2022 Smarty Jones), worked four furlongs in 49.4 seconds at Turfway Park on Saturday morning. It was the 55th fastest of 127 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Turfway Park. In his last start, he placed eighth in the Fayette (G3) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Keeneland on Oct. 25 for trainer Ed Moger Jr.

Chunk of Gold (Preservationist), a Grade 3 winner (2025 West Virginia Derby), worked four furlongs in 48.6 seconds at Turfway Park on Saturday morning. It was the 22nd fastest of 127 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start, he won an allowance race going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Keeneland on Oct. 24 for trainer Ethan West.

Dean Delivers (Cajun Breeze), a Grade 3 winner (2023 Smile Sprint), worked four furlongs in 50.0 seconds at Delaware Park on Saturday morning. It was the 22nd fastest of 36 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Delaware Park. In his last start, he placed seventh in an allowance race going six furlongs on the main track at Laurel Park on Oct. 19 for trainer Edward Allard.

Destino d'Oro (Bolt d'Oro), a Grade 3 winner (2025 Pucker Up), worked four furlongs in 49.4 seconds at Churchill Downs on Saturday morning. It was the 87th fastest of 143 works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Churchill Downs. In her last start, she placed eighth in the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1) going 1 1/8 miles on the turf at Keeneland on Oct. 11 for trainer Brad Cox.

Frost Free (Frosted), a Grade 3 winner (2024 Chick Lang), worked four furlongs in 47.2 seconds at Oaklawn on Saturday morning. It was the fastest of 58 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Oaklawn. In his last start, he placed 11th in the Woody Stephens (G1) going seven furlongs on the main track at Saratoga on June 8 for trainer Brett Creighton.

Mythical (St Patrick's Day), a Grade 3 winner (2025 Adirondack), worked four furlongs in 48.7 seconds at Gulfstream Park on Saturday morning. It was the 16th fastest of 85 works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Gulfstream Park. In her last start, she won the Florida Sire Susan's Girl going seven furlongs on the main track at Gulfstream Park on Oct. 18 for trainer Jorge Delgado.

Tennessee Lamb (Tonalist), a Grade 3 winner (2025 Ben Ali), worked five furlongs in 59.2 seconds at Churchill Downs on Saturday morning. It was the fastest of 54 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Churchill Downs. In his last start, he placed sixth in the Blame (G3) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Churchill Downs on May 31 for trainer Rusty Arnold.

That's Right (Goldencents), a Grade 3 winner (2022 Turf Monster), worked four furlongs in 49.0 seconds at Fair Grounds on Saturday morning. It was the 14th fastest of 73 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Fair Grounds. In his last start, he placed fourth in an allowance race going six furlongs on the synthetic at Presque Isle Downs on Oct. 2 for trainer Joe Sharp.