Works + video: 2 Bafferts have final breezes before Preakness

Muth and Imagination, Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert’s candidates for Preakness 2024 next Saturday, had their final timed workouts in preparation for the middle jewel of the Triple Crown, covering six furlongs in tandem in 1:11.8 on Friday morning at Santa Anita.

“They went five-eighths, and they went out three quarters, and they look good,” Baffert said. “They stayed together like last week. It was a nice, workmanlike work, and I was happy with it.”

Muth, owned by Zedan Racing Stables, secured his second Grade 1 victory when he won the Arkansas Derby on March 30 at Oaklawn.

Imagination competes for the partnership of SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Stonestreet Stables, Dianne Bashor, Bat Masterson, Waves Edge Capital, Catherine Donovan and Tom Ryan. In his most recent race he was second by a neck to Stronghold on April 6 in the Santa Anita Derby (G1).

Baffert is the most successful trainer in Preakness history with eight victories in 26 starts. Five of those wins came with horses who won the Kentucky Derby and continued on to Baltimore. However, Baffert said he frequently did move on to the Preakness with runners who did not do well at Churchill Downs.

“There’s some horses that didn’t get a chance to run in the Derby that it took a week for them to bounce out of it,” Baffert said. “If they’re doing well, run them in the Preakness. I’ve been lucky and horses that didn’t run well, they got wiped out or something, and they came back. It’s sort of like to prove that, look, he was the best horse in the Derby, and that’s your chance to validate it. It happened with Point Given. It happened with Lookin At Lucky. Those two horses validated that they were the best of their crop.”

Last year National Treasure was Baffert’s first Preakness winner who did not run in the Derby. Muth and Imagination are new shooters in the Preakness, too, because Churchill Downs did not allow Baffert to enter horses in the Derby.

Muth and Imagination are scheduled to ship to Pimlico on Tuesday. Juan Hernández, Muth’s regular rider, will have the mount in the Preakness. International star Frankie Dettori will ride Imagination for the third race in a row.

The two Baffert colts were among 29 graded-stakes winners who appeared on the Friday work tab across the U.S. and Canada.

Muth (Good Magic), a two-time Grade 1 winner (2024 Arkansas Derby, 2023 American Pharoah), worked six furlongs in 1:11.8 at Santa Anita on Friday morning. It was the fastest of four works at the distance. His previous work was six days ago going six furlongs at Santa Anita. In his last start he won the Arkansas Derby (G1) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Oaklawn on March 30 for trainer Bob Baffert.

Imagination (Into Mischief), a Grade 2 winner (2024 San Felipe), worked six furlongs in 1:11.8 at Santa Anita. It was the fastest of four works at the distance. His previous work was six days ago going six furlongs at Santa Anita. In his last start he placed second in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Santa Anita on April 6 for Baffert.

Tapit Trice (Tapit), a Grade 1 winner (2023 Blue Grass), worked four furlongs in 49.0 seconds at Churchill Downs. It was the 69th fastest of 124 works at the distance. His previous work was 22 days ago going five furlongs at Palm Beach Downs. In his last start he placed third in the Travers (G1) going 1 1/4 miles on the main track at Saratoga on Aug. 26 for trainer Todd Pletcher.

There Goes Harvard (Will Take Charge), a Grade 1 winner (2022 Hollywood Gold Cup), worked four furlongs in 47.2 seconds at Santa Anita. It was the fifth fastest of 46 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Santa Anita. In his last start he placed fifth in the Santa Anita Handicap (G1) going 1 1/4 miles on the main track at Santa Anita on March 4 for trainer Michael McCarthy.

Wet Paint (Blame), a Grade 1 winner (2023 Coaching Club American Oaks), worked five furlongs in 1:01.4 at Churchill Downs. It was the 12th fastest of 30 works at the distance. Her previous work was 14 days ago going four furlongs at Churchill Downs. In her last start she placed sixth in the Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Oaklawn on April 13 for trainer Brad Cox.

Didia (Orpen), a two-time Grade 2 winner (2024 Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf Invitational, 2023 Rodeo Drive), worked four furlongs in 48.4 seconds at Keeneland. It was the seventh fastest of 88 works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Keeneland. In her last start she placed third in the Jenny Wiley (G1) going 1 1/16 miles on the turf at Keeneland on April 13 for trainer Ignacio Correas.

Skippylongstocking (Exaggerator), a two-time Grade 2 winner (2024 Oaklawn Handicap, 2023 Charles Town Classic), worked three furlongs in 38.9 seconds at Palm Meadows. It was the 13th fastest of 21 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he won the Oaklawn Handicap (G2) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Oaklawn on April 20 for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr.

Chatalas (Gun Runner), a Grade 2 winner (2023 Chandelier), worked four furlongs in 47.4 seconds at Santa Anita. It was the sixth fastest of 46 works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Santa Anita. In her last start she placed second in the Blue Norther going one mile on the turf at Santa Anita on Dec. 29 for trainer Mark Glatt.

Coffee in Bed (Curlin), a Grade 2 winner (2024 Santa Maria), worked four furlongs in 47.8 seconds at Santa Anita. It was the 10th fastest of 46 works at the distance. This was her first work since her last race. In her last start she won the Santa Maria (G2) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Santa Anita on April 21 for trainer Richard Mandella.

Kingsbarns (Uncle Mo), a Grade 2 winner (2023 Louisiana Derby), worked four furlongs in 48.8 seconds at Churchill Downs. It was the 62nd fastest of 124 works at the distance. His previous work was eight days ago going four furlongs at Churchill Downs. In his last start he won the Ben Ali (G3) going 1 3/16 miles on the main track at Keeneland on April 20 for Pletcher.

Lane Way (Into Mischief), a Grade 2 winner (2023 Eddie D), worked four furlongs in 48.8 seconds at Santa Anita. It was the fourth fastest of 12 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed third in the Siren Lure going 6 1/2 furlongs on the turf at Santa Anita on April 21 for Mandella.

Maryquitecontrary (First Dude), a Grade 2 winner (2023 Inside Information), worked three furlongs in 39.2 seconds at Gulfstream Park. It was the 13th fastest of 15 works at the distance. This was her first work since her last race. In her last start she placed fifth in the Madison (G1) going seven furlongs on the main track at Keeneland on April 6 for trainer Eddie Plesa.

Salesman (Dubawi), a Grade 2 winner (2023 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance), worked six furlongs in 1:12.8 at Santa Anita. It was the third fastest of four works at the distance. His previous work was nine days ago going five furlongs at Santa Anita. In his last start he placed seventh in the Santa Anita Handicap (G1) going 1 1/4 miles on the main track at Santa Anita on March 3 for Mandella.

Watsonville (Jack Milton), a Grade 2 winner (2023 Mathis Mile), worked two furlongs in 25.0 seconds at Santa Anita. It was the second fastest of four works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he won the Mathis Mile (G2) going one mile on the turf at Santa Anita on Dec. 26 for Glatt.

Wow Whata Summer (Summer Front), a Grade 2 winner (2022 Penn Mile), worked five furlongs in 1:01.2 at Fair Hill. It was the fifth fastest of 12 works at the distance. His previous work was six days ago going five furlongs at Fair Hill. In his last start he placed ninth in an allowance race going 1 1/2 miles on the turf at Keeneland on April 14 for trainer Chuckie Lawrence.

Wynstock (Solomini), a Grade 2 winner (2023 Los Alamitos Futurity), worked four furlongs in 49.2 seconds at Santa Anita. It was the 28th fastest of 46 works at the distance. His previous work was 11 days ago going four furlongs at Santa Anita. In his last start he placed sixth in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Santa Anita on April 6 for Baffert.

Balnikhov (Adaay), a two-time Grade 3 winner (2023 San Francisco Mile, 2022 Bryan Station), worked four furlongs in 47.8 seconds at Santa Anita. It was the fastest of 12 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed third in the San Francisco Mile (G3) going one mile on the turf at Golden Gate Fields on April 27 for trainer Phil D’Amato.

Angel Nadeshiko (Carpe Diem), a Grade 3 winner (2023 Robert J. Frankel), worked four furlongs in 49.7 seconds at Palm Meadows. It was the 11th fastest of 33 works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Palm Meadows. In her last start she placed fourth in the Sand Springs going 1 1/16 miles on the turf at Gulfstream Park on March 30 for Joseph.

Big City Lights (Mr. Big), a Grade 3 winner (2024 Palos Verdes), worked six furlongs in 1:12.8 at Santa Anita. It was the third fastest of four works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Santa Anita. In his last start he won the Palos Verdes (G3) going six furlongs on the main track at Santa Anita on Feb. 10 for Mandella.

Champions Dream (Justify), a Grade 3 winner (2022 Nashua), worked three furlongs in 36.3 seconds at Palm Meadows. It was the third fastest of 21 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed sixth in an allowance race going one mile on the main track at Aqueduct on March 30 for trainer Rick Dutrow.

Faraway Kitten (Kitten’s Joy), a Grade 3 winner (2019 American Derby), worked five furlongs in 1:02.2 at Woodbine. It was the 17th fastest of 26 works at the distance. His previous work was six days ago going five furlongs at Woodbine. In his last start he placed eighth in an allowance race going seven furlongs on the turf at Woodbine on June 11 for trainer Denyse McClachrie.

Giant Game (Giant’s Causeway), a Grade 3 winner (2023 Prairie Meadows Cornhusker Handicap), worked four furlongs in 47.6 seconds at Churchill Downs. It was the eighth fastest of 124 works at the distance. His previous work was 13 days ago going four furlongs at Churchill Downs. In his last start he placed sixth in an allowance race going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Keeneland on April 13 for trainer Dale Romans.

Grand Sonata (Medaglia d’Oro), a Grade 3 winner (2022 Kitten’s Joy), worked four furlongs in 49.0 seconds at Saratoga. It was the sixth fastest of 21 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 Fort Lauderdale (G2) going 1 1/8 miles on the turf at Gulfstream Park on Dec. 30 for Pletcher.

Hidden Connection (Connect), a Grade 3 winner (2021 Pocahontas), worked four furlongs in 48.4 seconds at Churchill Downs. It was the 39th fastest of 124 works at the distance. Her previous work was eight days ago going four furlongs at Churchill Downs. In her last start she placed second in the Doubledogdare (G3) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Keeneland on April 19 for trainer Bret Calhoun.

Maltese Falcon (Caravaggio), a Grade 3 winner (2023 La Jolla Handicap), worked four furlongs in 47.6 seconds at Santa Anita. It was the ninth fastest of 46 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he won an allowance race going 1 1/4 miles on the turf at Santa Anita on April 20 for trainer Leonard Powell.

Order and Law (Violence), a Grade 3 winner (2023 Cougar II), worked four furlongs in 49.2 seconds at Santa Anita. It was the fifth fastest of 12 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed fourth in an allowance race going 1 1/4 miles on the turf at Santa Anita on April 20 for trainer Peter Eurton.

Personal Best (Tapit), a Grade 3 winner (2023 La Prevoyante), worked five furlongs in 1:00.0 at Fair Hill. It was the second fastest of 12 works at the distance. Her previous work was 16 days ago going five furlongs at Palm Meadows. In her last start she placed seventh in the Dowager (G3) going 1 1/2 miles on the turf at Keeneland on Oct. 22 for trainer Shug McGaughey.

Safeen (War Front), a Grade 3 winner (2023 Pucker Up), worked four furlongs in 49.8 seconds at Keeneland. It was the 46th fastest of 88 works at the distance. This was her first work since her last race. In her last start she placed second in the Dahlia going one mile on the turf at Laurel Park on April 20 for trainer Eddie Kenneally.

Tumbarumba (Oscar Performance), a Grade 3 winner (2024 Fred W. Hooper), worked five furlongs in 1:01.0 at Churchill Downs. It was the eighth fastest of 30 works at the distance. His previous work was 13 days ago going four furlongs at Churchill Downs. In his last start he placed second in the Ghostzapper (G3) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Gulfstream Park on March 30 for trainer Brian Lynch.