Workouts: Pa. Derby candidate is among 10 graded winners
Getting ready for Grade 1, $1 million Pennsylvania Derby, this month’s West Virginia Derby (G3) winner Chunk of Gold had a leg-stretching workout Tuesday morning.
The gray 3-year-old owned by Terry Stephens and trained by Ethan West drilled a half-mile in 52.8 seconds on the synthetic surface at Turfway Park. It was the slowest of 51 workouts at that distance, and it was the Preservation colt’s first breeze since he won at Mountaineer on Aug. 3.
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The Pennsylvania Derby will be run at Parx on Sept. 20.
On a typically light Tuesday for timed works, there were only 10 graded-stakes winners on the U.S. tab.
Chunk of Gold (Preservationist), a Grade 3 winner (2025 West Virginia Derby), worked four furlongs in 52.8 seconds at Turfway Park on Tuesday morning. It was the slowest of 51 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he won the West Virginia Derby (G3) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Mountaineer on Aug. 3 for trainer Ethan West.
Exaulted (Twirling Candy), a Grade 1 winner (2023 Shoemaker Mile), worked four furlongs in 50.2 seconds at The Thoroughbred Center. It was the fifth fastest of 29 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at The Thoroughbred Center. In his last start he placed eighth in the Prairie Bayou going 1 1/16 miles on the synthetic at Turfway Park on Dec. 14 for trainer Peter Eurton.
Tamara (Bolt d’Oro), a Grade 1 winner (2023 Del Mar Debutante), worked six furlongs in 1:12.6 at Del Mar. It was the fastest of three works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Del Mar. In her last start she placed second in an allowance race going six furlongs on the main track at Del Mar on Nov. 15 for trainer Richard Mandella.
Echo Sound (Echo Town), a two-time Grade 3 winner (2025 Victory Ride, 2025 Miss Preakness), worked four furlongs in 48.4 seconds at Keeneland. It was the second fastest of nine works at the distance. This was her first work since her last race. In her last start she placed sixth in the Test (G1) going seven furlongs on the main track at Saratoga on Aug. 2 for trainer Rusty Arnold.
Goliad (War Front), a two-time Grade 3 winner (2024 Mint Millions, 2024 Thunder Road), worked one mile in 1:39.6 at Del Mar. It was the only work at the distance. His previous work was six days ago going seven furlongs at Del Mar. In his last start he placed sixth in the Daytona (G3) going 6 1/2 furlongs on the turf at Santa Anita on June 14 for trainer Richard Mandella.
Background (Khozan), a Grade 3 winner (2021 Longacres Mile Handicap), worked four furlongs in 51.4 seconds at Churchill Downs. It was the 50th fastest of 51 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed eighth in a claiming race going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Ellis Park on Aug. 16 for trainer Steve Asmussen.
Dancing Buck (War Dancer), a Grade 3 winner (2022 Belmont Turf Sprint), worked three furlongs in 36.4 seconds at Saratoga. It was the fastest of five works at the distance. His previous work was six days ago going four furlongs at Belmont Park. In his last start he placed sixth in the Jaipur (G1) going 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf at Saratoga on June 8 for trainer Michelle Nevin.
Italian Soiree (Uncle Mo), a Grade 3 winner (2025 Coronation Cup), worked five furlongs in 1:02.2 at Saratoga. It was the only work at the distance. Her previous work was eight days ago going four furlongs at Saratoga. In her last start she won the Coronation Cup (G3) going 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf at Saratoga on July 11 for trainer John Terranova.
Mo Stash (Mo Town), a Grade 3 winner (2023 Transylvania), worked four furlongs in 50.2 seconds at Keeneland. It was the eighth fastest of nine 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 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf at Ellis Park on Aug. 8 for trainer Vicki Oliver.
Sittin On Go (Brody’s Cause), a Grade 3 winner (2020 Iroquois), worked four furlongs in 49.0 seconds at Churchill Downs. It was the 19th fastest of 51 works at the distance. His previous work was 10 days ago going four furlongs at Churchill Downs. In his last start he placed fifth in a claiming race going one mile on the main track at Ellis Park on July 13 for trainer David Jacobson.