Wednesday tab: 4 graded-stakes winners work ... and 1 does not

On a light day of workouts across the country, a breeze that actually did not happen caused a minor ripple.

Grade 1 winner Faiza, a 4-year-old Girvin filly who famously started her career with a five-race victory streak for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, was listed as having a 48.6-second, half-mile workout at Santa Anita

Was this the making of a comeback 16 months after her only loss, a third-place finish in the Black-Eyed Susan (G2) at Pimlico? Nearly a year after her last track work, was her new owner Godolphin preparing her for a sensational return after paying $4 million for her last fall?

As it turns out, it was an innocent mistake. It was reported as such by the racing office at Santa Anita and confirmed by Godolphin USA.

“Not our Faiza,” bloodstock director Michael Banahan said. “She’s happily in foal (to Uncle Mo) and enjoying farm life.”

So it is then that four other graded-stakes winners actually breezed their way onto the Wednesday tab.

Yes I Am Free (Uncaptured), a two-time Grade 3 winner (2023 Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint, 2022 Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint), worked three furlongs in 37.7 seconds at Palm Meadows on Wednesday morning. It was the fifth fastest of eight works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed eighth in the Mighty Beau going five furlongs on the turf at Churchill Downs on June 8 for trainer Laura Cazares.

Azul Coast (Super Saver), a Grade 3 winner (2021 Native Diver), worked four furlongs in 49.8 seconds at Los Alamitos on Wednesday morning. It was the slowest of nine works at the distance. His previous work was 10 days ago going four furlongs at Los Alamitos. In his last start he placed third in the Tokyo City Cup (G3) going 1 1/2 miles on the main track at Santa Anita on Oct. 1 for trainer Bob Baffert.

Big Invasion (Declaration of War), a Grade 3 winner (2022 Quick Call), worked four furlongs in 50.2 seconds at Saratoga on Wednesday morning. It was the third fastest of nine works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he won the Harvey Pack going 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf at Saratoga on Sept. 2 for trainer Christophe Clément.

Emery (More Than Ready), a Grade 3 winner (2024 Victory Ride), worked four furlongs in 48.6 seconds at Churchill Downs on Wednesday morning. It was the 14th fastest of 25 works at the distance. Her previous work was six days ago going four furlongs at Churchill Downs. In her last start she placed second in the Test (G1) going seven furlongs on the main track at Saratoga on Aug. 3 for trainer Brad Cox.