Works report: Golden Pal tightens up for Troy Stakes

Speedy turf sprinter Golden Pal was back to serious business Friday morning at Saratoga, breezing five furlongs in 59.72 seconds over the Oklahoma training turf in preparation for the Grade 3, $300,000 Troy, a 5 1/2-furlong turf sprint for older horses on Aug. 5.

Trained by Wesley Ward, Golden Pal breezed in company with stakes winner Overbore. Golden Pal recorded his first move since racing last of 16 in the Group 1 King's Stand on June 14 at Royal Ascot.

A stakes winner the past two summers at Saratoga, Golden Pal broke his maiden in the 2020 Skidmore by 3 1/2 lengths as a 2-year-old en route to a score in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G2). Last year, he made a strong sophomore debut with a three-length win in the Quick Call (G3), three starts before capturing the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar.

The son of Uncle Mo logged a career-best 110 Beyer Speed Figure in his triumphant 2022 debut in the Grade 2 Shakertown on April 9 at Keeneland.

“Very nice,” Ward said of the work. “It was his first work since Ascot so we’re excited. We’ll have two more and then we’re in the Troy.”

Golden Pal, owned by the Coolmore conglomerate of Michael Tabor, Mrs. John Magnier, Derrick Smith and Westerberg, is out of the 11-time stakes-winning turf sprinter Lady Shipman, who captured Saratoga’s Coronation Cup and Smart N Fancy in 2015.

Irad Ortiz, Jr., who was aboard Golden Pal for the work as well as his past three starts, will retain the mount for the Troy.

These are the 30 graded-stakes winners who breezed Friday morning at tracks across North America. To find out where they may be headed next, visit the Horse Racing Nation Stakes Schedule.

Life Is Good (Into Mischief), a two-time Grade 1 winner (2022 Pegasus World Cup Invitational, 2021 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile), worked four furlongs in 49.4 at Saratoga on Friday morning. It was the 42nd fastest of 73 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start, he won the John A. Nerud (G2) going seven furlongs on the main track at Belmont Park on July 2 for trainer Todd Pletcher.

Tribhuvan (FR) (Toronado (IRE)), a two-time Grade 1 winner (2022 Manhattan, 2021 United Nations), worked four furlongs in 49.0 at Belmont Park on Friday morning. It was the ninth fastest of 27 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Belmont Park. In his last start, he won the Manhattan (G1) going 1 1/4 miles on the turf at Belmont Park on June 11 for trainer Chad Brown.

Golden Pal (Uncle Mo), a Grade 1 winner (2021 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint), worked five furlongs in 59.7 on turf at Saratoga on Friday morning. It was the fastest of 15 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start, he placed 16th in the King's Stand (G1) going five furlongs on the turf at Ascot on June 14 for trainer Wesley A. Ward.

Happy Saver (Super Saver), a Grade 1 winner (2020 Jockey Club Gold Cup), worked five furlongs in 1:01.3 at Belmont Park on Friday morning. It was the fastest of 2 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Belmont Park. In his last start, he placed second in the Metropolitan H. (G1) going one mile on the main track at Belmont Park on June 11 for trainer Todd Pletcher.

Secret Oath (Arrogate), a Grade 1 winner (2022 Kentucky Oaks), worked five furlongs in 1:00.0 at Saratoga on Friday morning. It was the fastest of 5 works at the distance. Her previous work was 10 days ago going six furlongs at Churchill Downs. In her last start, she placed fourth in the Preakness (G1) going 1 3/16 miles on the main track at Pimlico on May 21 for trainer D. Wayne Lukas.

Taiba (Gun Runner), a Grade 1 winner (2022 Santa Anita Derby), worked five furlongs in 59.4 at Santa Anita on Friday morning. It was the second fastest of 55 works at the distance. His previous work was eight days ago going six furlongs at Santa Anita. In his last start, he placed 12th in the Kentucky Derby (G1) going 1 1/4 miles on the main track at Churchill Downs on May 7 for trainer Tim Yakteen.

Varda (Distorted Humor), a Grade 1 winner (2020 Starlet), worked five furlongs in 1:00.0 at Santa Anita on Friday morning. It was the fourth fastest of 55 works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Santa Anita. In her last start, she placed third in the Santa Maria (G2) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Santa Anita on June 18 for trainer Sean McCarthy.

War Like Goddess (English Channel), a Grade 1 winner (2021 Flower Bowl), worked five furlongs in 1:01.2 on turf at Saratoga on Friday morning. It was the fifth fastest of 15 works at the distance. Her previous work was eight days ago going three furlongs at Saratoga. In her last start, she won the Bewitch (G3) going 1 1/2 miles on the turf at Keeneland on April 29 for trainer Bill Mott.

Envoutante (Uncle Mo), a two-time Grade 2 winner (2021 Falls City, 2020 Falls City), worked three furlongs in 37.0 at Saratoga on Friday morning. It was the second fastest of 6 works at the distance. Her previous work was six days ago going three furlongs at Saratoga. In her last start, she placed fourth in the Beholder Mile (G1) going one mile on the main track at Santa Anita on March 5 for trainer Kenny McPeek.

Annapolis (War Front), a Grade 2 winner (2021 Pilgrim), worked four furlongs in 49.3 on turf at Saratoga on Friday morning. It was the fifth fastest of 50 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start, he won the Manila going one mile on the turf at Belmont Park on July 4 for trainer Todd Pletcher.

Bourbonic (Bernardini), a Grade 2 winner (2021 Wood Memorial), worked three furlongs in 38.4 at Churchill Downs on Friday morning. It was the 14th fastest of 20 works at the distance. His previous work was 1five days ago going three furlongs at Calumet Farm Training Center. In his last start, he placed seventh in the Queens County going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Aqueduct on Dec. 19 for trainer Todd Pletcher.

Chewing Gum (Candy Ride (ARG)), a Grade 2 winner (2022 Joe Hernandez), worked four furlongs in 50.0 at Saratoga on Friday morning. It was the 58th fastest of 73 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Saratoga. In his last start, he won the Joe Hernandez (G2) going 6 1/2 furlongs on the turf at Santa Anita on Jan. 1 for trainer Bill Mott.

L'Imperator (FR) (Holy Roman Emperor (IRE)), a Grade 2 winner (2022 Fort Marcy), worked four furlongs in 49.0 at Saratoga on Friday morning. It was the 26th fastest of 73 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Saratoga. In his last start, he placed seventh in the Manhattan (G1) going 1 1/4 miles on the turf at Belmont Park on June 11 for trainer Chad Brown.

Plum Ali (First Samurai), a Grade 2 winner (2020 Miss Grillo), worked four furlongs in 50.1 at Belmont Park on Friday morning. It was the 20th fastest of 31 works at the distance. This was her first work since her last race. In her last start, she placed fourth in the Nassau (G2) going one mile on the turf at Woodbine on July 2 for trainer Christophe Clement.

Silver Dust (Tapit), a four-time Grade 3 winner worked four furlongs in 48.8 at Churchill Downs on Friday morning. It was the 36th fastest of 99 works at the distance. His previous work was seven 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 Churchill Downs on June 23 for trainer Bret Calhoun.

Four Graces (Majesticperfection), a two-time Grade 3 winner (2020 Beaumont, 2020 Dogwood), worked five furlongs in 1:02.0 at Churchill Downs on Friday morning. It was the sixth fastest of 15 works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Churchill Downs. In her last start, she placed fourth in the Chicago (G3) going seven furlongs on the main track at Churchill Downs on June 25 for trainer Ian Wilkes.

Sacred Life (FR) (Siyouni (FR)), a two-time Grade 3 winner (2022 Monmouth, 2021 Knickerbocker), worked five furlongs in 1:00.6 on turf at Saratoga on Friday morning. It was the third fastest of 15 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Saratoga. In his last start, he won the Monmouth (G3) going 1 1/8 miles on the turf at Monmouth Park on June 18 for trainer Chad Brown.

The Chosen Vron (Vronsky), a two-time Grade 3 winner (2021 Affirmed, 2021 Lazaro Barrera), worked four furlongs in 51.2 at Santa Anita on Friday morning. It was the 13th fastest of 14 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Santa Anita. In his last start, he won the Hank Mills Sr. going 6 1/2 furlongs on the main track at Turf Paradise on Nov. 5 for trainer Eric Kruljac.

Wit (Practical Joke), a two-time Grade 3 winner (2022 Bay Shore, 2021 Sanford), worked five furlongs in 1:01.3 at Belmont Park on Friday morning. It was the fastest of 2 works at the distance. His previous work was six days ago going five furlongs at Belmont Park. In his last start, he placed fourth in the Woody Stephens (G1) going seven furlongs on the main track at Belmont Park on June 11 for trainer Todd Pletcher.

Bran (FR) (Muhaarar (GB)), a Grade 3 winner (2022 Daytona), worked five furlongs in 59.6 at Santa Anita on Friday morning. It was the second fastest of 18 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Santa Anita. In his last start, he won the Daytona (G3) going 6 1/2 furlongs on the turf at Santa Anita on May 29 for trainer John Sadler.

Bye Bye Melvin (Uncle Mo), a Grade 3 winner (2020 Saranac), worked six furlongs in 1:14.6 at Fair Hill on Friday morning. It was the fastest of 2 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going six furlongs at Fair Hill. In his last start, he placed 10th in the Manhattan (G1) going 1 1/4 miles on the turf at Belmont Park on June 5 for trainer Graham Motion.

Cupid's Claws (Kitten's Joy), a Grade 3 winner (2020 Tokyo City Cup), worked five furlongs in 1:01.6 at Churchill Downs on Friday morning. It was the fifth fastest of 15 works at the distance. His previous work was six days ago going five furlongs at Churchill Downs. In his last start, he placed seventh in the Kentucky Cup Classic going 1 1/8 miles on the synthetic at Turfway Park on April 2 for trainer Rene Amescua.

Dolce Zel (FR) (Zelzal (FR)), a Grade 3 winner (2022 Florida Oaks), worked five furlongs in 1:03.6 on turf at Saratoga on Friday morning. It was the 11th fastest of 15 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 Edgewood (G2) going 1 1/16 miles on the turf at Churchill Downs on May 6 for trainer Chad Brown.

Forza Di Oro (Speightstown), a Grade 3 winner (2020 Discovery), worked four furlongs in 50.4 at Monmouth Park on Friday morning. It was the 32nd fastest of 38 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Monmouth Park. In his last start, he placed fifth in the Woodward (G1) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Belmont Park on Oct. 2 for trainer Bill Mott.

King Fury (Curlin), a Grade 3 winner (2021 Lexington), worked four furlongs in 50.2 at Saratoga on Friday morning. It was the 21st fastest of 40 works at the distance. His previous work was six days ago going four furlongs at Saratoga. In his last start, he placed eighth in the Kentucky Cup Classic going 1 1/8 miles on the synthetic at Turfway Park on April 2 for trainer Kenny McPeek.

Masen (GB) (Kingman (GB)), a Grade 3 winner (2022 Poker), worked five furlongs in 1:00.6 on turf at Saratoga on Friday morning. It was the third fastest of 15 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Belmont Park. In his last start, he won the Poker (G3) going one mile on the turf at Belmont Park on June 18 for trainer Chad Brown.

Masqueparade (Upstart), a Grade 3 winner (2021 Ohio Derby), worked four furlongs in 50.8 at Saratoga on Friday morning. It was the 68th fastest of 73 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start, he won an allowance race going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Churchill Downs on June 23 for trainer Al Stall, Jr.

Red Ghost (Ghostzapper), a Grade 3 winner (2021 Miss Preakness), worked four furlongs in 50.4 at Keeneland on Friday morning. It was the 15th fastest of 24 works at the distance. Her previous work was 1one days ago going five furlongs at Keeneland. In her last start, she placed third in an allowance race going 5 1/2 furlongs on the main track at Churchill Downs on May 27 for trainer Wesley Ward.

Scarlett Sky (Sky Mesa), a Grade 3 winner (2021 Transylvania), worked four furlongs in 52.0 at Fair Hill on Friday morning. It was the eighth fastest of 8 works at the distance. His previous work was 2one days ago going three furlongs at Belmont Park. In his last start, he placed eighth in the Appleton (G3) going one mile on the turf at Gulfstream Park on April 2 for trainer Shug McGaughey.

Wootton Asset (FR) (Wootton Bassett (GB)), a Grade 3 winner (2021 Virginia Derby), worked four furlongs in 52.0 at Fair Hill on Friday morning. It was the 10th fastest of 10 works at the distance. His previous work was six days ago going three furlongs at Fair Hill. In his last start, he placed 10th in the Twilight Derby (G2) going 1 1/8 miles on the turf at Santa Anita on Oct. 31 for trainer Graham Motion.