Tuesday tab: Last Samurai is back at work for Lukas
Last Samurai, who hasn't raced since finishing sixth in the Grade 1 Whitney in August, is back at work for trainer D. Wayne Lukas.
The 6-year-old son of Malibu Moon has been working at Oaklawn since February, and on Tuesday he went six furlongs from the gate in 1:14.6, the only work at the distance. Last week, he breezed six furlongs in 1:15.0.
Last Samura won two graded stakes last year, the Razorback Handicap (G3) and the Essex Handicap (G3). Otherwise, he was 0-for-5, with two runner-up finishes.
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Last Samurai was one of six graded-stakes winners with published works in the U.S. on Tuesday.
Classic Causeway (Giant's Causeway), a Grade 1 winner (2022 Belmont Derby Invitational), worked five furlongs in 1:00.4 at Fair Grounds on Tuesday morning. It was the fastest of 10 works at the distance. His previous work was nine days ago going four furlongs at Fair Grounds. In his last start he placed seventh in the Rose Of Lancaster (G3) going about 1 5/16 miles on the turf at Haydock Park on Aug. 12 for trainer Kenny McPeek.
Last Samurai (Malibu Moon), a Grade 2 winner (2022 Oaklawn Handicap), worked six furlongs in 1:14.6 at Oaklawn on Tuesday morning. It was the only work at the distance. His previous work was eight days ago going six furlongs at Oaklawn. In his last start he placed sixth in the Whitney (G1) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Saratoga on Aug. 5 for trainer D. Wayne Lukas.
Maryquitecontrary (First Dude), a Grade 2 winner (2023 Inside Information), worked four furlongs in 48.9 seconds at Gulfstream Park on Tuesday morning. It was the second fastest of six works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Gulfstream Park. In her last start she placed third in the Royal Delta (G3) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Gulfstream Park on Feb. 17 for trainer Eddie Plesa.
Messier (Empire Maker), a two-time Grade 3 winner (2022 Robert B. Lewis, 2021 Bob Hope), worked four furlongs in 46.0 seconds at Belmont Park on Tuesday morning. It was the fastest of 26 works at the distance. His previous work was six days ago going four furlongs at Belmont Park. In his last start he placed second in an allowance race going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Laurel Park on Jan. 27 for trainer Rick Dutrow.
Mo Stash (Mo Town), a Grade 3 winner (2023 Transylvania), worked five furlongs in 1:03.2 at Payson Park on Tuesday morning. It was the fifth fastest of 13 works at the distance. His previous work was six days ago going five furlongs at Payson Park. In his last start he placed sixth in the Franklin-Simpson (G2) going 6 1/2 furlongs on the turf at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 9 for trainer Vicki Oliver.
Sittin On Go (Brody's Cause), a Grade 3 winner (2020 Iroquois), worked four furlongs in 50.9 seconds at Belmont Park on Tuesday morning. It was the 23rd fastest of 26 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed seventh in an allowance race going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Penn National on March 7 for trainer David Jacobson.
Three horses in Las Vegas futures wagering for Kentucky Derby 2024 also had published works Tuesday morning.
Bolt of Aurum (Bolt d'Oro) worked four furlongs in 51.8 seconds at Colts Neck Stables on Tuesday morning. It was the fastest of 20 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Colts Neck Stables. In his last start he placed third in the James F. Lewis III going six furlongs on the main track at Laurel Park on Nov. 11 for trainer Jorge Duarte Jr.
Coulditbemajic (Kantharos) worked three furlongs in 37.4 seconds at Oaklawn on Tuesday morning. It was the third fastest of eight works at the distance. His previous work was 32 days ago going three furlongs at Oaklawn. In his last start he placed fifth in an allowance race going 6 1/2 furlongs on the main track at Churchill Downs on Sept. 15 for trainer Terry Brennan.
Ridgewood Runner (Klimt) worked four furlongs in 48.3 seconds at Belmont Park on Tuesday morning. It was the sixth fastest of 26 works at the distance. His previous work was 11 days ago going four furlongs at Belmont Park. In his last start he won an allowance race going 6 1/2 furlongs on the main track at Aqueduct on Feb. 25 for trainer Carlos Martin.