Workouts: Rebel’s Romance is among 28 graded winners on tab

Godolphin’s Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf winner Rebel’s Romance went a half-mile solo in 48.11 seconds over Saratoga’s Oklahoma training turf course on Friday morning, two days out from his start Sunday in the Grade 2, $250,000 Bowling Green Stakes.

Under the watchful eye of trainer Charlie Appleby’s traveling assistant Chris Connett, Rebel’s Romance joined fellow Godolphin-owned Appleby trainees Silver Knott and Mysterious Night, both targeting next Saturday’s National Racing Museum Hall of Fame (G2), for a 10 a.m. EDT visit to the training turf.

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Rebel’s Romance, who enters from an uncharacteristic seventh in the Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic in March at Meydan Racecourse, has been tabbed the 8-5, morning-line favorite in the 10-horse field and will leave from post 9 in rein to Richie Mullen.

“Rebel’s Romance had a nice canter and picked it up down the lane for just a little blowout for his run on Sunday,” Connett said. “He drew stall 9, which I don’t think is a worry for him. He’s a horse that likes to make a late run anyway, so Richie will jump him out and float him into position and hopefully he comes with a nice strong run towards the end.”

Rebel’s Romance, a 4-year-old Dubawi gelding, captured the 2022 Breeders’ Cup Turf in November at Keeneland, providing international racing and breeding powerhouse Godolphin with its fifth victory in the race.

Connett said he is hopeful that Rebel’s Romance can pursue a return engagement in this year’s Breeders’ Cup Turf on Nov. 4 at Santa Anita.

“He’s a triple Group 1 winner, a Breeders’ Cup winner and hopefully that will be on the radar at the end of the season,” Connett said. “But those decisions get left to Charlie.”

There were 28 graded-stakes winners who had workouts Friday across America.

Rebel’s Romance (Dubawi), a Grade 1 winner (2022 Breeders’ Cup Turf), worked four furlongs in 48.11 seconds on turf at Saratoga on Friday morning. It was the 12th fastest of 70 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed seventh in the Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) going about 1 1/2 miles on the turf at Meydan on March 25 for trainer Charlie Appleby.

Caravel (Mizzen Mast), a two-time Grade 1 winner (2023 Jaipur, 2022 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint), worked four furlongs in 48.8 seconds on turf at Saratoga. It was the 19th fastest of 70 works at the distance. Her previous work was six days ago going four furlongs at Saratoga. In her last start she won the Jaipur (G1) going six furlongs on the turf at Belmont Park on June 10 for trainer Brad Cox.

A Mo Reay (Uncle Mo), a Grade 1 winner (2023 Beholder Mile), worked four furlongs in 49.4 seconds at Churchill Downs. It was the 20th fastest of 62 works at the distance. This was her first work since her last race. In her last start she placed second in the Fleur de Lis (G2) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Ellis Park on July 1 for Cox.

Adhamo (Intello), a Grade 1 winner (2022 United Nations), worked five furlongs in 1:01.0 on turf at Saratoga. It was the fastest of 10 works at the distance. His previous work was six days ago going five furlongs at Saratoga. In his last start he placed sixth in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (G1) going 1 1/2 miles on the turf at Belmont at the Big A on Oct. 8 for trainer Chad Brown.

Arabian Lion (Justify), a Grade 1 winner (2023 Woody Stephens), worked five furlongs in 1:00.2 at Del Mar. It was the 13th fastest of 55 works at the distance. His previous work was five days ago going four furlongs at Del Mar. In his last start he won the Woody Stephens (G1) going seven furlongs on the main track at Belmont Park on June 10 for trainer Bob Baffert.

Chi Town Lady (Verrazano), a Grade 1 winner (2022 Test), worked four furlongs in 47.2 seconds at Keeneland. It was the third fastest of 41 works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Keeneland. In her last start she placed third in an allowance race going seven furlongs on the main track at Belmont Park on June 16 for trainer Wesley Ward.

McKulick (Frankel), a Grade 1 winner (2022 Belmont Oaks Invitational), worked five furlongs in 1:01.5 on turf at Saratoga. It was the third fastest of 10 works at the distance. Her previous work was six days ago going five furlongs at Saratoga. In her last start she placed third in the New York (G1) going 1 1/4 miles on the turf at Belmont Park on June 9 for Brown.

White Abarrio (Race Day), a Grade 1 winner (2022 Florida Derby), worked four furlongs in 51.2 seconds at Belmont Park. It was the 14th fastest of 21 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Belmont Park. In his last start he placed third in the Metropolitan Handicap (G1) going one mile on the main track at Belmont Park on June 10 for trainer Rick Dutrow.

Fluffy Socks (Slumber), a two-time Grade 2 winner (2023 Churchill Distaff Turf Mile, 2021 Sands Point), worked four furlongs in 48.2 seconds on turf at Saratoga. It was the 13th fastest of 70 works at the distance. This was her first work since her last race. In her last start she placed fifth in the Diana (G1) going 1 1/8 miles on the turf at Saratoga on July 15 for Brown.

Major Dude (Bolt d’Oro), a two-time Grade 2 winner (2023 Penn Mile, 2022 Pilgrim), worked four furlongs in 48.5 seconds at Belmont Park. It was the second fastest of 21 works at the distance. His previous work was six days ago going four furlongs at Belmont Park. In his last start he placed fourth in the Manila (G3) going one mile on the turf at Belmont Park on July 7 for trainer Todd Pletcher.

Technical Analysis (Kingman), a two-time Grade 2 winner (2022 Ballston Spa, 2021 Lake Placid), worked four furlongs in 48.2 seconds on turf at Saratoga. It was the 13th fastest of 70 works at the distance. Her previous work was six days ago going five furlongs at Saratoga. In her last start she placed second in the Perfect Sting going one mile on the turf at Belmont Park on July 2 for Brown.

Virginia Joy (Soldier Hollow), a two-time Grade 2 winner (2022 Flower Bowl, 2022 Sheepshead Bay), worked five furlongs in 1:01.5 on turf at Saratoga. It was the third fastest of 10 works at the distance. Her previous work was six days ago going five furlongs at Saratoga. In her last start she placed fifth in the New York (G1) going 1 1/4 miles on the turf at Belmont Park on June 9 for Brown.

Bran (Muhaarar), a Grade 2 winner (2022 Turf Sprint), worked four furlongs in 47.4 seconds at Del Mar. It was the sixth fastest of 59 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Del Mar. In his last start he won the Turf Sprint (G2) going six furlongs on the turf at Kentucky Downs on Sep. 10 for trainer John Sadler.

Heavenly Sunday (Candy Ride), a Grade 2 winner (2023 Edgewood), worked four furlongs in 49.4 seconds on turf at Saratoga. It was the 24th fastest of 70 works at the distance. Her previous work was six days ago going four furlongs at Saratoga. In her last start she placed second in the Tepin going one mile on the turf at Ellis Park on July 1 for Cox.

Helium (Ironicus), a Grade 2 winner (2021 Tampa Bay Derby), worked four furlongs in 48.8 seconds at Delaware Park. It was the fourth fastest of 14 works at the distance. His previous work was 10 days ago going four furlongs at Delaware Park. In his last start he placed second in an allowance race going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Delaware Park on June 14 for trainer Juan Arriagada.

Julia Shining (Curlin), a Grade 2 winner (2022 Demoiselle), worked five furlongs in 1:01.1 at Saratoga. It was the third fastest of 13 works at the distance. Her previous work was six days ago going four furlongs at Saratoga. In her last start she placed third in the Ashland (G1) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Keeneland on April 7 for Pletcher.

Papilio (Starspangledbanner (AUS)), a Grade 2 winner (2023 Appalachian), worked four furlongs in 48.2 seconds on turf at Saratoga. It was the 13th fastest of 70 works at the distance. This was her first work since her last race. In her last start she placed third in the Fasig-Tipton Belmont Oaks Invitational (G1) going 1 1/4 miles on the turf at Belmont Park on July 8 for trainer Mark Casse.

Webslinger (Constitution), a Grade 2 winner (2023 American Turf), worked four furlongs in 49.0 seconds on turf at Saratoga. It was the 22nd fastest of 70 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed fourth in the Belmont Derby Invitational (G1) going 1 1/4 miles on the turf at Belmont Park on July 8 for Casse.

Maple Leaf Mel (Cross Traffic), a two-time Grade 3 winner (2023 Victory Ride, 2023 Miss Preakness), worked four furlongs in 49.2 seconds at Saratoga. It was the 10th fastest of 32 works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Saratoga. In her last start she won the Victory Ride (G3) going 6 1/2 furlongs on the main track at Belmont Park on July 8 for trainer Melanie Giddings.

Mission of Joy (Kitten’s Joy), a two-time Grade 3 winner (2023 Regret, 2023 Florida Oaks), worked four furlongs in 50.6 seconds at Fair Hill. It was the fourth fastest of seven works at the distance. This was her first work since her last race. In her last start she placed seventh in the Fasig-Tipton Belmont Oaks Invitational (G1) going 1 1/4 miles on the turf at Belmont Park on July 8 for trainer Graham Motion.

Champions Dream (Justify), a Grade 3 winner (2022 Nashua), worked four furlongs in 47.6 seconds at Saratoga. It was the fastest of 63 works at the distance. His previous work was eight days ago going four furlongs at Saratoga. In his last start he placed 11th in the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Tampa Bay Downs on March 11 for Casse.

Dancing Buck (War Dancer), a Grade 3 winner (2022 Belmont Turf Sprint), worked five furlongs in 1:04.0 at Saratoga. It was the sixth fastest of six works at the distance. His previous work was nine days ago going five furlongs at Saratoga. In his last start he placed sixth in the Aqueduct Turf Sprint Championship going six furlongs on the turf at Aqueduct on Nov. 25 for trainer Michelle Nevin.

Gray’s Fable (Gio Ponti), a Grade 3 winner (2021 Appleton), worked five furlongs in 59.4 seconds at Churchill Downs. It was the fastest of 11 works at the distance. His previous work was eight days ago going four furlongs at Churchill Downs. In his last start he placed second in an allowance race going one mile on the turf at Churchill Downs on June 1 for trainer Brian Lynch.

Jaxon Traveler (Munnings), a Grade 3 winner (2022 Maryland Sprint), worked four furlongs in 48.0 seconds at Belmont Park. It was the fastest of 21 works at the distance. His previous work was eight days ago going five furlongs at Belmont Park. In his last start he placed seventh in the Dave’s Friend going six furlongs on the main track at Laurel Park on Dec. 30 for trainer Steve Asmussen.

Nagirroc (Lea), a Grade 3 winner (2022 Futurity), worked five furlongs in 1:01.6 at Fair Hill. It was the fifth fastest of seven works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed third in the Manila (G3) going one mile on the turf at Belmont Park on July 7 for Motion.

Selenaia (Sea The Moon), a Grade 3 winner (2023 Honeymoon), worked four furlongs in 47.1 seconds on turf at Saratoga. It was the fourth fastest of 70 works at the distance. Her previous work was 15 days ago going four furlongs at Keeneland. In her last start she won the Honeymoon (G3) going 1 1/8 miles on the turf at Santa Anita on June 10 for trainer Jonathan Thomas.

Warrant (Constitution), a Grade 3 winner (2021 Oklahoma Derby), worked four furlongs in 50.8 seconds at Churchill Downs. It was the 50th fastest of 62 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed fifth in the Prairie Meadows Cornhusker Handicap (G3) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Prairie Meadows on July 8 for Cox.

Weyburn (Pioneerof the Nile), a Grade 3 winner (2021 Gotham), worked four furlongs in 48.5 seconds at Belmont Park. It was the second fastest of 21 works at the distance. His previous work was six days ago going four furlongs at Belmont Park. In his last start he placed seventh in the John A. Nerud (G2) going seven furlongs on the main track at Belmont Park on July 1 for Pletcher.