Works: Trikari leads 14 graded winners & 6 Derby candidates

Back from a three-month break, Grade 1-winning turf specialist Trikari returned to the work tab Wednesday morning.

Now 4, the Oscar Performance colt owned by Amerman Racing breezed a half-mile in 48.0 seconds on the Palm Meadows turf in Florida. It was his first timed drill since she finished sixth in the one-mile Bryan Station (G3) on Oct. 26 at Keeneland.

Trainer Graham Motion has not decided yet where he will send last year’s winner of the Belmont Derby Invitational at Saratoga. “Possibly Keeneland,” he said in a Wednesday text message. The Maker’s Mark Mile (G1) on April 11 would be a potential fit.

In a light week of training, there 14 graded-stakes winners who had timed workouts Tuesday and Wednesday. There also were six 3-year-olds from the Kentucky Derby 2025 futures market who breezed since Monday.

Graded-stakes winners

Wednesday

Trikari (Oscar Performance), a Grade 1 winner (2024 Belmont Derby Invitational), worked four furlongs in 48.0 seconds on turf at Palm Meadows on Wednesday morning. It was the 26th fastest of 44 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed sixth in the Bryan Station (G3) going one mile on the turf at Keeneland on Oct. 26 for trainer Graham Motion.

Dicey Mo Chara (Adaay), a Grade 2 winner (2022 San Gabriel), worked five furlongs in 1:02.2 at Santa Anita. It was the 10th fastest of 19 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Santa Anita. In his last start he placed fifth in the San Gabriel (G2) going 1 1/8 miles on the turf at Santa Anita on Dec. 26 for trainer Leonard Powell

Neat (Constitution), a Grade 2 winner (2024 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame), worked four furlongs in 50.2 seconds at Fair Grounds. It was the 16th fastest of 23 works at the distance. His previous work was 10 days ago going four furlongs at Fair Grounds. In his last start he placed seventh in the Bryan Station (G3) going one mile on the turf at Keeneland on Oct. 26 for trainer Rob Atras

Super Chow (Lord Nelson), a three-time Grade 3 winner (2024 Maryland Sprint, 2024 Tom Fool Handicap, 2024 Toboggan), worked four furlongs in 46.7 seconds on turf at Palm Meadows. It was the ninth fastest of 44 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed sixth in the Mr. Prospector (G3) going seven furlongs on the main track at Gulfstream Park on Dec. 28 for trainer Jorge Delgado.

Background (Khozan), a Grade 3 winner (2021 Longacres Mile Handicap), worked five furlongs in 1:02.0 at Louisiana Downs. It was the faster of two works at the distance. His previous work was 12 days ago going four furlongs at Louisiana Downs. In his last start he placed third in a claiming race going one mile on the main track at Churchill Downs on Nov. 28 for trainer Steve Asmussen.

Durante (Distorted Humor), a Grade 3 winner (2023 Bold Ruler), worked four furlongs in 53.4 seconds at Oaklawn. It was the 78th fastest of 87 works at the distance. His previous work was 26 days ago going four furlongs at Oaklawn. In his last start he placed fifth in the Ring The Bell going six furlongs on the main track at Oaklawn on Dec. 7 for trainer David Jacobson.

Morello (Classic Empire), a Grade 3 winner (2022 Gotham), worked four furlongs in 51.4 seconds at Louisiana Downs. It was the 32nd fastest of 34 works at the distance. His previous work was 10 days ago going three furlongs at Louisiana Downs. In his last start he placed eighth in an allowance race going five furlongs on the turf at Lone Star Park on July 12 for trainer Steve Asmussen.

Yo Yo Candy (Danzing Candy), a Grade 3 winner (2023 Sanford), worked four furlongs in 49.4 seconds at Parx. It was the sixth fastest of 21 works at the distance. His previous work was 18 days ago going four furlongs at Parx Racing. In his last start he placed second in a starter allowance race going 6 1/2 furlongs on the main track at Parx on Dec. 17 for trainer Daniel Velázquez.

Tuesday

Gun Song (Gun Runner), a Grade 2 winner (2024 Black-Eyed Susan), worked four furlongs in 49.8 seconds at Gulfstream Park on Tuesday morning. It was the fifth fastest of seven works at the distance. Her previous work was 14 days ago going four furlongs at Gulfstream Park. In her last start she placed second in the Mother Goose (G2) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Belmont at the Big A on Oct. 26 for trainer Mark Hennig.

Kehoe Beach (Omaha Beach), a Grade 2 winner (2024 Mrs. Revere), worked four furlongs in 52.4 seconds at Turfway Park. It was the 29th fastest of 36 works at the distance. This was her first work since her last race. In her last start she won the Mrs. Revere (G2) going 1 1/16 miles on the turf at Churchill Downs on Nov. 29 for trainer Wesley Ward.

Un Ojo (Laoban), a Grade 2 winner (2022 Rebel), worked three furlongs in 39.0 seconds at Copper Crowne. It was the fifth fastest of 10 works at the distance. His previous work was 221 days ago going three furlongs at Keeneland. In his last start he placed third in an allowance race going one mile on the main track at Aqueduct on Jan. 27 for trainer Linda Rice.

Red Flag (Tamarkuz), a Grade 3 winner (2020 Bob Hope), worked three furlongs in 37.4 seconds at The Thoroughbred Center. It was the second fastest of five works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he won an allowance race going six furlongs on the main track at Oaklawn on Jan. 5 for trainer Bob Hess Jr.

Ryvit (Competitive Edge), a Grade 3 winner (2023 Chick Lang), worked four furlongs in 50.6 seconds at Oaklawn. It was the 40th fastest of 113 works at the distance. His previous work was 24 days ago going four furlongs at Oaklawn. In his last start he placed eighth in an allowance race going six furlongs on the main track at Oaklawn on Dec. 20 for trainer Steve Asmussen.

Sittin On Go (Brody’s Cause), a Grade 3 winner (2020 Iroquois), worked three furlongs in 38.0 seconds at Oaklawn. It was the 11th fastest of 25 works at the distance. His previous work was 14 days ago going four furlongs at Oaklawn. In his last start he placed seventh in an allowance race going one mile and 70 yards on the main track at Monmouth Park on July 12 for trainer David Jacobson.

Kentucky Derby candidates

Wednesday

Grande (Curlin) worked four furlongs in 49.8 seconds at Palm Beach Downs on Wednesday morning. It was the second fastest of seven works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he won a maiden race going one mile on the main track at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 11 for trainer Todd Pletcher.

Sand Devil (Violence) worked five furlongs in 1:02.8 at Belmont Park. It was the faster of two works at the distance. His previous work was 11 days ago going five furlongs at Belmont Park. In his last start he won an allowance race going one mile on the main track at Aqueduct on Jan. 2 for trainer Linda Rice.

Tuesday

McKinzie Street (McKinzie) worked four furlongs in 47.2 seconds at Turf Paradise on Tuesday morning. It was the seventh fastest of 15 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed fifth in the San Vicente (G2) going seven furlongs on the main track at Santa Anita on Jan. 4 for trainer Tim Yakteen.

Innovator (Authentic) worked four furlongs in 51.6 seconds at Oaklawn. It was the 83rd fastest of 113 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed third in the Lecomte (G3) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Fair Grounds on Jan. 18 for trainer D. Wayne Lukas.

Monday

Smoken Wicked (Bobby’s Wicked One) worked four furlongs in 48.4 seconds at Fair Grounds on Monday morning. It was the second fastest of 102 works at the distance. His previous work was 12 days ago going three furlongs at Fair Grounds. In his last start he won the Louisiana Futurity going six furlongs on the main track at Fair Grounds on Dec. 29 for trainer Dallas Stewart.

Praetor (Into Mischief) worked three furlongs in 39.8 seconds at Payson Park. It was the 29th fastest of 31 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he won a maiden race going one mile on the main track at Belmont at the Big A on Sept. 27 for trainer Chad Brown.