Thursday works: Sweet Azteca leads 12 graded-stakes winners

Sweet Azteca, who victory in the Grade 1 Beholder Mile last out was her third win from four starts, had her first work since that race Thursday morning at Santa Anita.

The 4-year-old daughter of Sharp Azteca worked four furlongs in 49.2 seconds for trainer Mike McCarthy, 13th fastest of 25 at the distance.

Sweet Azteca raced only once last year, winning her debut at Churchill Downs in May. She returned in January at Santa Anita and finished third in the Las Flores (G3) then won an optional-claiming allowance by 12 lengths before the Beholder Mile.

Sweet Azteca was one of 12 graded-stakes winners with published works in the U.S. on Thursday.

Sweet Azteca (Sharp Azteca), a Grade 1 winner (2024 Beholder Mile), worked four furlongs in 49.2 seconds at Santa Anita on Thursday morning. It was the 13th fastest of 25 works at the distance. This was her first work since her last race. In her last start she won the Beholder Mile (G1) going one mile on the main track at Santa Anita on March 9 for trainer Michael McCarthy.

Didia (Orpen), a two-time Grade 2 winner (2024 Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf Invitational, 2023 Rodeo Drive), worked five furlongs in 1:02.2 at Keeneland on Thursday morning. It was the 10th fastest of 11 works at the distance. Her previous work was six days ago going four furlongs at Keeneland. In her last start she won the Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf Invitational (G2) going 1 1/16 miles on the turf at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 27 for trainer Ignacio Correas.

Emmanuel (More Than Ready), a Grade 2 winner (2022 Pennine Ridge), worked five furlongs in 1:00.9 at Palm Beach Downs on Thursday morning. It was the fastest of three works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Palm Beach Downs. In his last start he won the Canadian Turf (G3) going 1 1/16 miles on the turf at Gulfstream Park on March 2 for trainer Todd Pletcher.

Ruby Nell (Bolt d'Oro), a Grade 2 winner (2024 Buena Vista), worked five furlongs in 1:01.4 at Santa Anita on Thursday morning. It was the sixth fastest of 13 works at the distance. Her previous work was six days ago going four furlongs at Santa Anita. In her last start she won the Buena Vista (G2) going one mile on the turf at Santa Anita on March 3 for trainer Richard Mandella.

Trademark (Upstart), a Grade 2 winner (2023 Clark), worked five furlongs in 1:02.0 at Payson Park on Thursday morning. It was the fastest of nine works at the distance. His previous work was six days ago going four furlongs at Payson Park. In his last start he placed 10th in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 27 for trainer Vicki Oliver.

Another Mystery (Temple City), a Grade 3 winner (2022 John B. Connally Turf Cup), worked five furlongs in 1:02.4 at Hawthorne on Thursday morning. It was the fifth fastest of six works at the distance. His previous work was 12 days ago going four furlongs at Hawthorne. In his last start he placed 12th in the Sycamore (G3) going 1 1/2 miles on the turf at Keeneland on Oct. 13 for trainer Chris Block.

Big Invasion (Declaration of War), a Grade 3 winner (2022 Quick Call), worked four furlongs in 49.0 seconds at Payson Park on Thursday morning. It was the third fastest of 14 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed fourth in the Silks Run going five furlongs on the turf at Gulfstream Park on March 9 for trainer Christophe Clement.

Chismosa (Clubhouse Ride), a Grade 3 winner (2024 Las Flores), worked five furlongs in 1:00.2 at Los Alamitos on Thursday morning. It was the 10th fastest of 18 works at the distance. This was her first work since her last race. In her last start she placed third in the Irish O'Brien going 6 1/2 furlongs on the turf at Santa Anita on March 17 for trainer Rafael DeLeon.

Gray's Fable (Gio Ponti), a Grade 3 winner (2021 Appleton), worked five furlongs in 1:01.4 at Turfway Park on Thursday morning. It was the second fastest of seven works at the distance. His previous work was eight days ago going four furlongs at Turfway Park. In his last start he placed fifth in an allowance race going one mile on the turf at Churchill Downs on Nov. 5 for trainer Brian Lynch.

Henrietta Topham (Lemon Drop Kid), a Grade 3 winner (2023 Mint Julep), worked four furlongs in 48.0 seconds at The Thoroughbred Center on Thursday morning. It was the fastest of 22 works at the distance. Her previous work was six days ago going four furlongs at The Thoroughbred Center. In her last start she placed sixth in the Dowager (G3) going 1 1/2 miles on the turf at Keeneland on Oct. 22 for trainer Geoff Mulcahy.

Roses for Debra (Liam's Map), a Grade 3 winner (2023 Caress), worked five furlongs in 1:02.2 at Payson Park on Thursday morning. It was the fifth fastest of nine works at the distance. Her previous work was eight days ago going four furlongs at Payson Park. In her last start she placed ninth in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint going five furlongs on the turf at Santa Anita on Nov. 4 for trainer Christophe Clement.

Waskesiu (American Pharoah), a Grade 3 winner (2024 Florida Oaks), worked four furlongs in 50.2 seconds at Payson Park on Thursday morning. It was the 12th fastest of 14 works at the distance. This was her first work since her last race. In her last start she won the Florida Oaks (G3) going 1 1/16 miles on the turf at Tampa Bay Downs on March 9 for trainer Bill Mott.

Also, one horse in Las Vegas futures for Kentucky Derby 2024 had a published work Thursday.

No Nay Mets (No Nay Never) worked four furlongs in 50.1 seconds on turf at Palm Beach Downs on Thursday morning. It was the fifth fastest of five works at the distance. His previous work was 12 days ago going four furlongs at Palm Beach Downs. In his last start he placed fourth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint going five furlongs on the turf at Santa Anita Park on Nov. 3 for trainer George Weaver.