Works: Idiomatic has final drill for Personal Ensign title defense

Reigning champion older dirt female Idiomatic put in her final piece of work Saturday before a title defense in Friday's Grade 1, $500,000 Personal Ensign, a 1 1/8-mile test for older fillies and mares at Saratoga Race Course.

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The Brad Cox trainee, a Juddmonte homebred, worked at 7:30 a.m EDT on a busy Oklahoma training track. Sporting a pair of black blinkers, the regal bay daughter of Curlin took command of the track as camera shutters clicked trying to capture her beauty.

She worked a solo five furlongs stopping the clock in 1:00.60 according to the NYRA clockers. The track was busy with horses working and she got caught up in the fray catching up to the pair in front of her, Batten Down and Bendoog, in the gallop out.

On site for the work was Blake Cox, assistant trainer and son of Brad Cox.

“It was a very good move for her. We wanted to keep her off the rail a little bit. There was a pair working in front of her and she ran them down in the gallop out. She is such a nice horse, and she just keeps getting better the further she goes,” Blake Cox said.

Idiomatic will look to defend her title in the Personal Ensign. The emphatic victory last year propelled her to a championship season that culminated in a win in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Santa Anita.

There were 53 graded-stakes winners on the Saturday work tab across the U.S.

Idiomatic (Curlin), a four-time Grade 1 winner, worked five furlongs in 1:03.0 at Saratoga on Saturday morning. It was the 13th fastest of 14 works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Saratoga. In her last start she won the Molly Pitcher (G3) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Monmouth Park on July 20 for trainer Brad Cox.

Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna), a three-time Grade 1 winner (2024 Coaching Club American Oaks, 2024 Acorn, 2024 Kentucky Oaks), worked five furlongs in 59.8 seconds at Saratoga on Saturday morning. It was the second fastest of 26 works at the distance. Her previous work was nine days ago going five furlongs at Saratoga. In her last start she won the Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Saratoga on July 20 for trainer Kenny McPeek.

Dornoch (Good Magic), a two-time Grade 1 winner (2024 Haskell, 2024 Belmont), worked four furlongs in 47.6 seconds at Saratoga on Saturday morning. It was the 14th fastest of 160 works at the distance. His previous work was nine days ago going four furlongs at Saratoga. In his last start he won the Haskell (G1) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Monmouth Park on July 20 for trainer Danny Gargan.

Randomized (Nyquist), a two-time Grade 1 winner (2024 Ogden Phipps, 2023 Alabama), worked four furlongs in 48.2 seconds at Saratoga on Saturday morning. It was the 30th fastest of 160 works at the distance. Her previous work was six days ago going four furlongs at Saratoga. In her last start she won the Ogden Phipps (G1) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Saratoga on June 8 for trainer Chad Brown.

The Chosen Vron (Vronsky),, a two-time Grade 1 winner (2024 Bing Crosby,, 2023 Bing Crosby), worked four furlongs in 48.2 seconds at Del Mar on Saturday morning. It was the 18th fastest of 106 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going three furlongs at Del Mar. In his last start, he won the Bing Crosby (G1) going six furlongs on the main track at Del Mar on July 27 for trainer Eric Kruljac.

Arthur's Ride (Tapit), a Grade 1 winner (2024 Whitney), worked four furlongs in 49.6 seconds at Saratoga on Saturday morning. It was the 35th fastest of 69 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he won the Whitney (G1) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Saratoga on Aug. 3 for trainer Bill Mott.

Atone (Into Mischief), a Grade 1 winner (2023 Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational), worked four furlongs in 49.0 seconds at Churchill Downs on Saturday morning. It was the 73rd fastest of 149 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 1/8 miles on the turf at Saratoga on July 20 for trainer Mike Maker.

Book'em Danno (Bucchero), a Grade 1 winner (2024 Woody Stephens), worked four furlongs in 48.4 seconds at Monmouth Park on Saturday morning. It was the third fastest of 97 works at the distance. His previous work was six days ago going four furlongs at Monmouth Park. In his last start he won the Jersey Shore going six furlongs on the main track at Monmouth Park on July 19 for trainer Derek Ryan.

Rattle N Roll (Connect), a Grade 1 winner (2021 Breeders' Futurity), worked four furlongs in 47.0 seconds at Churchill Downs on Saturday morning. It was the fastest of 149 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Churchill Downs. In his last start he placed fourth in the Lukas Classic (G2) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Churchill Downs on Sept. 30 for trainer Kenny McPeek.

Sierra Leone (Gun Runner), a Grade 1 winner (2024 Blue Grass), worked four furlongs in 49.2 seconds at Saratoga on Saturday morning. It was the 13th fastest of 69 works at the distance. His previous work was six days ago going four furlongs at Saratoga. In his last start he placed second in the Jim Dandy (G2) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Saratoga on July 27 for trainer Chad Brown.

Speed Boat Beach (Bayern),, a Grade 1 winner (2023 Malibu), worked five furlongs in 1:02.4 at Del Mar on Saturday morning. It was the 58th fastest of 76 works at the distance. His previous work was six days ago going four furlongs at Del Mar. In his last start, he won the Malibu (G1) going seven furlongs on the main track at Santa Anita on Dec. 26 for trainer Bob Baffert.

Vahva (Gun Runner), a Grade 1 winner (2024 Derby City Distaff), worked four furlongs in 49.2 seconds at Keeneland on Saturday morning. It was the 38th fastest of 46 works at the distance. Her previous work was six days ago going five furlongs at Keeneland. In her last start she won the Chicago (G3) going seven furlongs on the main track at Churchill Downs on June 22 for trainer Cherie DeVaux.

Ways and Means (Practical Joke), a Grade 1 winner (2024 Test Presented by Ticketmaster), worked four furlongs in 49.9 seconds at Saratoga on Saturday morning. It was the 44th fastest of 69 works at the distance. This was her first work since her last race. In her last start she won the Test Presented by Ticketmaster (G1) going seven furlongs on the main track at Saratoga on Aug. 3 for trainer Chad Brown.

Arzak (Not This Time), a two-time Grade 2 winner (2024 Shakertown, 2023 Woodford), worked four furlongs in 48.0 seconds at Fair Hill on Saturday morning. It was the fastest of 27 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Fair Hill. In his last start he placed third in the Wolf Hill going 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf at Monmouth Park on July 20 for trainer Michael Trombetta.

Masteroffoxhounds (War Front), a two-time Grade 2 winner (2022 John Henry Turf Championship, 2021 San Marcos), worked three furlongs in 36.0 seconds at Churchill Downs on Saturday morning. It was the fastest of 19 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed third in the Jonathan B. Schuster Memorial going 1 1/16 miles on the turf at Horseshoe Indianapolis on July 6 for trainer Phil D'Amato.

Air Force Red (Air Force Blue),, a Grade 2 winner (2022 Joe Hernandez), worked four furlongs in 49.2 seconds at Del Mar on Saturday morning. It was the 56th fastest of 106 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Del Mar. In his last start, he placed eighth in the Wickerr going one mile on the turf at Del Mar on July 21 for trainer Leonard Powell.

Confidence Game (Candy Ride), a Grade 2 winner (2023 Rebel), worked four furlongs in 49.0 seconds at Churchill Downs on Saturday morning. It was the 73rd fastest of 149 works at the distance. His previous work was 14 days ago going five furlongs at Churchill Downs. In his last start he placed third in the Iowa Sprint going six furlongs on the main track at Prairie Meadows on July 5 for trainer Keith Desormeaux.

Dr. Venkman (Ghostzapper), a Grade 2 winner (2024 San Diego Handicap), worked six furlongs in 1:12.4 at Del Mar on Saturday morning. It was the second fastest of 11 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Del Mar. In his last start he won the San Diego Handicap (G2) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Del Mar on July 27 for trainer Mark Glatt.

Honor Marie (Honor Code), a Grade 2 winner (2023 Kentucky Jockey Club), worked four furlongs in 50.5 seconds at Saratoga on Saturday morning. It was the 54th fastest of 69 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Saratoga. In his last start he placed fourth in the Belmont going 1 1/4 miles on the main track at Saratoga on June 8 for trainer Whit Beckman.

Kalik (Collected), a Grade 2 winner (2023 Pennine Ridge), worked four furlongs in 49.8 seconds at Saratoga on Saturday morning. It was the 117th fastest of 160 works at the distance. His previous work was six days ago going four furlongs at Saratoga. In his last start he placed sixth in an allowance race going 1 1/16 miles on the turf at Belmont at the Big A on June 23 for trainer Chad Brown.

L'Imperator (Holy Roman Emperor), a Grade 2 winner (2022 Fort Marcy), worked four furlongs in 53.0 seconds at Colonial Downs on Saturday morning. It was the 32nd fastest of 34 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed fourth in the X (G1) going 2 3/8 miles on the turf at Saratoga on July 21 for trainer Archibald Kingsley Jr.

Mullikin (Violence), a Grade 2 winner (2024 John A. Nerud), worked four furlongs in 47.2 seconds at Keeneland on Saturday morning. It was the fastest of 46 works at the distance. His previous work was six days ago going four furlongs at Keeneland. In his last start he won the John A. Nerud (G2) going seven furlongs on the main track at Belmont at the Big A on July 6 for trainer Rodolphe Brisset.

Raging Sea (Curlin), a Grade 2 winner (2024 Shuvee), worked four furlongs in 48.2 seconds at Saratoga on Saturday morning. It was the 30th fastest of 160 works at the distance. Her previous work was six days ago going four furlongs at Saratoga. In her last start she won the Shuvee (G2) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Saratoga on July 21 for trainer Chad Brown.

Scaramouche (Munnings), a Grade 2 winner (2022 Gallant Bob), worked four furlongs in 49.6 seconds at Parx Racing on Saturday morning. It was the 36th fastest of 75 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 Delaware Park on Aug. 1 for trainer Guadalupe Preciado.

Sparkle Blue (Hard Spun), a Grade 2 winner (2024 Hillsborough), worked five furlongs in 1:01.4 at Fair Hill on Saturday morning. It was the second fastest of 12 works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Fair Hill. In her last start she won the Big Dreyfus going 1 1/8 miles on the turf at Laurel Park on July 21 for trainer Graham Motion.

The Grey Wizard (Caravaggio), a Grade 2 winner (2024 Belmont Gold Cup), worked five furlongs in 1:02.6 at Fair Hill on Saturday morning. It was the 11th fastest of 12 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going six furlongs at Fair Hill. In his last start he won the Belmont Gold Cup (G2) going 2 miles on the turf at Saratoga on June 6 for trainer Graham Motion.

World Record (Gun Runner), a Grade 2 winner (2024 Amsterdam), worked four furlongs in 47.6 seconds at Keeneland on Saturday morning. It was the second fastest of 46 works at the distance. His previous work was six days ago going four furlongs at Keeneland. In his last start he won the Amsterdam (G2) going 6 1/2 furlongs on the main track at Saratoga on July 26 for trainer Rodolphe Brisset.

Wow Whata Summer (Summer Front), a Grade 2 winner (2022 Penn Mile), worked five furlongs in 1:01.2 at Fair Hill on Saturday morning. It was the only work at the distance. His previous work was 21 days ago going five furlongs at Fair Hill. In his last start he placed fifth in an allowance race going 1 1/16 miles on the turf at Laurel Park on June 30 for trainer Chuckie Lawrence.

Domestic Product (Practical Joke), a two-time Grade 3 winner (2024 Dwyer, 2024 Tampa Bay Derby), worked four furlongs in 48.0 seconds at Saratoga on Saturday morning. It was the second fastest of 69 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Saratoga. In his last start he won the Dwyer (G3) going one mile on the main track at Belmont at the Big A on July 6 for trainer Chad Brown.

Skelly (Practical Joke), a two-time Grade 3 winner (2024 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap, 2023 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap), worked four furlongs in 53.0 seconds at Saratoga on Saturday morning. It was the slowest of 69 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed second in the Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap (G1) going six furlongs on the main track at Saratoga on July 27 for trainer Steve Asmussen.

Walkathon (Twirling Candy), a two-time Grade 3 winner (2024 Endeavour, 2022 Regret), worked four furlongs in 51.2 seconds at Skylight Training Center on Saturday morning. It was the slowest of 20 works at the distance. This was her first work since her last race. In her last start she won the KY Downs Preview Ladies Turf Mile going one mile on the turf at Ellis Park on Aug. 4 for trainer Ian Wilkes.

Anglophile (English Channel), a Grade 3 winner (2023 Dueling Grounds Derby), worked four furlongs in 49.8 seconds at Churchill Downs on Saturday morning. It was the 102nd fastest of 149 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed third in the KY Downs Preview Turf Cup going 1 1/4 miles on the turf at Ellis Park on Aug. 4 for trainer Brian Lynch.

Batten Down (Tapit), a Grade 3 winner (2024 Ohio Derby), worked five furlongs in 1:01.8 at Saratoga on Saturday morning. It was the third fastest of 14 works at the distance. His previous work was 10 days ago going four furlongs at Saratoga. In his last start he placed third in the Jim Dandy (G2) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Saratoga on July 27 for trainer Bill Mott.

Beatbox (Pioneerof the Nile), a Grade 3 winner (2024 Fair Grounds), worked four furlongs in 48.2 seconds at Keeneland on Saturday morning. It was the 12th fastest of 46 works at the distance. His previous work was six days ago going four furlongs at Keeneland. In his last start he placed fifth in the Monmouth (G3) going 1 1/8 miles on the turf at Monmouth Park on June 15 for trainer Cherie DeVaux.

Chismosa (Clubhouse Ride), a Grade 3 winner (2024 Las Flores), worked six furlongs in 1:12.8 at Los Alamitos on Saturday morning. It was the only work at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Los Alamitos. In her last start she placed seventh in the Great Lady M (G2) going 6 1/2 furlongs on the main track at Los Alamitos on July 6 for trainer Rafael DeLeon.

Francesco Clemente (Dubawi), a Grade 3 winner (2024 William L. McKnight), worked three furlongs in 38.0 seconds at Fair Hill on Saturday morning. It was the eighth fastest of 12 works at the distance. His previous work was 139 days ago going four furlongs at Payson Park. In his last start he won the William L. McKnight (G3) going 1 1/2 miles on the turf at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 27 for trainer Chad Brown.

Gray's Fable (Gio Ponti), a Grade 3 winner (2021 Appleton), worked four furlongs in 49.6 seconds at Colonial Downs on Saturday morning. It was the 17th fastest of 34 works at the distance. His previous work was 11 days ago going four furlongs at Colonial Downs. In his last start he placed eighth in the Jonathan B. Schuster Memorial going 1 1/16 miles on the turf at Horseshoe Indianapolis on July 6 for trainer Michael Stidham.

Highland Falls (Curlin), a Grade 3 winner (2024 Blame), worked five furlongs in 1:00.2 at Saratoga on Saturday morning. It was the fastest of 14 works at the distance. His previous work was six days ago going four furlongs at Saratoga. In his last start he placed second in the Monmouth Cup (G3) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Monmouth Park on July 20 for trainer Brad Cox.

Implicated (Connect), a Grade 3 winner (2023 Pebbles), worked five furlongs in 1:03.4 at Churchill Downs on Saturday morning. It was the 48th fastest of 49 works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Churchill Downs. In her last start she won the Nassau (G2) going one mile on the turf at Woodbine on June 29 for trainer Brendan Walsh.

Midnight Mammoth (Midnight Lute), a Grade 3 winner (2024 Cougar II), worked six furlongs in 1:13.2 at Del Mar on Saturday morning. It was the sixth fastest of 11 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Del Mar. In his last start he won the Cougar II (G3) going 1 1/2 miles on the main track at Del Mar on July 25 for trainer Craig Dollase.

Mo Plex (Complexity), a Grade 3 winner (2024 Sanford), worked four furlongs in 48.8 seconds at Saratoga on Saturday morning. It was the 63rd fastest of 160 works at the distance. His previous work was six days ago going four furlongs at Saratoga. In his last start he won the Sanford (G3) going six furlongs on the main track at Saratoga on July 13 for trainer Jeremiah Englehart.

Mo Stash (Mo Town), a Grade 3 winner (2023 Transylvania), worked four furlongs in 48.8 seconds at Keeneland on Saturday morning. It was the 25th fastest of 46 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed third in the KY Downs Preview Turf Sprint going 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf at Ellis Park on Aug. 4 for trainer Vicki Oliver.

Nadette (Outstrip), a Grade 3 winner (2024 Wilshire), worked three furlongs in 38.2 seconds at Colonial Downs on Saturday morning. It was the eighth fastest of 17 works at the distance. This was her first work since her last race. In her last start she placed fourth in the Beverly D. (G2) going 1 3/16 miles on the turf at Colonial Downs on Aug. 11 for trainer Neil Drysdale.

Pin Up Betty (Constitution), a Grade 3 winner (2024 Regret), worked four furlongs in 48.8 seconds at Churchill Downs on Saturday morning. It was the 59th fastest of 149 works at the distance. This was her first work since her last race. In her last start she placed second in the Pucker Up (G3) going 1 1/8 miles on the turf at Ellis Park on Aug. 4 for trainer Mike Maker.

Safeen (War Front), a Grade 3 winner (2023 Pucker Up), worked four furlongs in 49.0 seconds at Keeneland on Saturday morning. It was the 31st fastest of 46 works at the distance. This was her first work since her last race. In her last start she placed fifth in the KY Downs Preview Ladies Turf Mile going one mile on the turf at Ellis Park on Aug. 4 for trainer Eddie Kenneally.

Smokin' T (War Front), a Grade 3 winner (2023 River City), worked four furlongs in 48.0 seconds at Fair Hill on Saturday morning. It was the fastest of nine works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Fair Hill. In his last start he placed fifth in the Arlington (G3) going 1 1/16 miles on the turf at Churchill Downs on June 1 for trainer Shug McGaughey.

Tide of the Sea (English Channel), a Grade 3 winner (2021 W. L. McKnight), worked five furlongs in 1:01.4 at Churchill Downs on Saturday morning. It was the 21st fastest of 49 works at the distance. His previous work was 10 days ago going five furlongs at Churchill Downs. In his last start he placed fifth in an allowance race going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Horseshoe Indianapolis on July 16 for trainer Joe Sharp.

Uncle Heavy (Social Inclusion), a Grade 3 winner (2024 Withers), worked four furlongs in 47.4 seconds at Parx Racing on Saturday morning. It was the second fastest of 75 works at the distance. His previous work was six days ago going four furlongs at Saratoga. In his last start he placed fifth in the Ohio Derby (G3) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Thistledown on June 22 for trainer Butch Reid.

V V's Dream (Mitole), a Grade 3 winner (2023 Pocahontas), worked four furlongs in 47.2 seconds at Churchill Downs on Saturday morning. It was the fourth fastest of 149 works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Churchill Downs. In her last start she placed third in the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Fair Grounds on March 23 for trainer Kenny McPeek.

Vergara (Noble Mission), a Grade 3 winner (2023 Marathon), worked five furlongs in 1:02.6 at Fair Hill on Saturday morning. It was the 11th fastest of 12 works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going six furlongs at Fair Hill. In her last start she placed third in the Robert G. Dick Memorial (G3) going 1 3/8 miles on the turf at Delaware Park on July 7 for trainer Graham Motion.

Visually (Enticed), a Grade 3 winner (2024 Senorita), worked three furlongs in 37.0 seconds at Turfway Park on Saturday morning. It was the third fastest of 18 works at the distance. This was her first work since her last race. In her last start she placed fifth in the Lady Erie going six furlongs on the synthetic at Presque Isle Downs on Aug. 5 for trainer Billy Morey.

Zoffarelli (Zoffany),, a Grade 3 winner (2021 La Jolla Handicap), worked four furlongs in 48.6 seconds at San Luis Rey on Saturday morning. It was the second fastest of 25 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 five furlongs on the turf at Del Mar on Aug. 3 for trainer Jeff Mullins.