Thursday tab: Instant Coffee, unraced since March, fires bullet
Instant Coffee, unraced since finishing sixth in last year's Grade 2 Louisiana Derby, continued working toward a comeback Thursday at Palm Meadows Training Center.
The Bolt d'Oro colt trained by Brad Cox breezed four furlongs from the gate in 48.45 seconds, the fastest of 22 at the distance.
Instant Coffee was on the Kentucky Derby trail last year after wins in the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) and the Lecomte (G3). After the March 25 Louisiana Derby, he worked three times at Churchill Downs in April. But he was taken out of training until returning to the tab at Palm Meadows in December.
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Instant Coffee was one of only two graded-stakes winners with published works in the U.S. on Thursday.
Instant Coffee (Bolt d'Oro), a Grade 2 winner (2022 Kentucky Jockey Club), worked four furlongs in 48.4 seconds at Palm Meadows on Thursday morning. It was the fastest of 22 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Palm Meadows. In his last start he placed sixth in the Louisiana Derby (G2) going 1 3/16 miles on the main track at Fair Grounds on March 25 for trainer Brad Cox.
Lady Radler (Kantharos), a Grade 3 winner (2023 Dogwood), worked five furlongs in 1:00.2 at Tampa Bay Downs on Thursday morning. It was the fastest of seven works at the distance. Her previous work was nine days ago going five furlongs at Tampa Bay Downs. In her last start she placed sixth in the Raven Run (G2) going seven furlongs on the main track at Keeneland on Oct. 21 for trainer Michael Campbell.
Three horses in Kentucky Derby futures in Las Vegas also had timed works Thursday.
Bonus Move (Twirling Candy) worked four furlongs in 48.5 seconds at Gulfstream Park on Thursday morning. It was the third fastest of 14 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Gulfstream Park. In his last start he placed third in a maiden race going seven furlongs on the main track at Gulfstream Park on Dec. 30 for trainer Mark Hennig.
Seize the Grey (Arrogate) worked four furlongs in 50.6 seconds at Oaklawn on Thursday morning. It was the 42nd fastest of 60 works at the distance. His previous work was 102 days ago going four furlongs at Churchill Downs. In his last start he placed third in an allowance race going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Keeneland on Oct. 14 for trainer D. Wayne Lukas.
Twenty to Park (Speightster) worked five furlongs in 1:02.2 at Oaklawn on Thursday morning. It was the 13th fastest of 20 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he won a maiden race going six furlongs on the main track at Oaklawn on Jan. 12 for trainer Matt Shirer.