Shocking Monday Drills! Top Saratoga Stars Push Limits in 13 Epic Showdowns!

More Than Just Appearance, who recently finished second in the prestigious Grade 1 Fourstardave, trained for the first time since that event on Monday morning. Under the guidance of Cherie DeVaux, this seasoned competitor completed a four-furlong sprint in 49.8 seconds on the Keeneland dirt track. Having claimed a victory in last year’s Manila (G3) and making a notable 4-year-old season debut in the Fourstardave, More Than Just Appearance gave a strong performance but was outpaced by the in-form Carl Spackler, though he finished ahead of other contenders including the favored Ottoman Fleet.

Surveillance, who recently triumphed in the Troy Stakes (G3) moved off the turf, made his way back to the training field on Monday for his initial workout post-race. He covered three furlongs in 37.55 seconds on the Saratoga dirt track, launching smoothly right from the gate. Trained by Wayne Potts, the 7-year-old has been consistently seen at stakes events since 2022, with the Troy marking his first major graded stakes victory.

This Monday morning saw workouts from 13 horses across various North American locations:

Exaulted (Twirling Candy), a victor in the 2023 Shoemaker Mile (Grade 1), clocked in at 48.4 seconds over four furlongs at Del Mar. Ranking 17th fastest out of 55 at that distance, his last training session was a week ago, covering five furlongs at the same venue. Most recently, he finished sixth in a one-mile turf allowance race at Del Mar on July 21, under the tutelage of trainer Peter Eurton.

Stronghold (Ghostzapper), with a Grade 1 win at the 2024 Santa Anita Derby, completed five furlongs in 1:00.0 at Del Mar, marking the eighth fastest of 57 works. His previous session, a week prior, was also over five furlongs at Del Mar. His latest race saw him finish second in the Indiana Derby (G3) over 1 1/16 miles at Horseshoe Indianapolis on July 6, coached by Phil D’Amato.

Public Sector (Kingman), a double Grade 2 champion, returned to the track at Woodbine for a four-furlong workout, logging 50.4 seconds and achieving the seventh fastest time among 10. This was his first training session following his last competition where he secured seventh place in the Seagram Cup (G2) over 1 1/16 miles on synthetic at Woodbine on July 27, trained by Saffie Joseph Jr.

Emmanuel (More Than Ready), a Grade 2 champion from the 2022 Pennine Ridge, worked out five furlongs in 1:01.6 at Churchill Downs, placing eighth out of 10 for that distance. His previous workout was a week ago at the same venue. He last competed on July 20 at Monmouth Park in the United Nations (G2), covering 1 3/8 miles on the turf and finishing fourth, under the watch of Todd Pletcher.

Jaxon Traveler (Munnings), a two-time Grade 3 victor, recorded a four-furlong time of 52.3 seconds at Remington Park, the slowest among 12 works. This session was his first since his last race, where he clinched a five-furlong allowance on the main track at Remington Park on Aug. 17, trained by Steve Asmussen.

Durante (Distorted Humor), having won the 2023 Bold Ruler (Grade 3), finished four furlongs in 50.6 seconds at Belmont Park, ranking 13th of 21. His last work was six days prior, covering three furlongs at Belmont Park. Most recently, he was third in a 5 1/2 furlong allowance on the main track at Laurel Park on Aug. 11, under David Jacobson’s training.

Fort Bragg (Tapit), a 2023 Dwyer (Grade 3) winner, completed six furlongs in 1:13.6 at Del Mar, the slowest of three at that distance. His previous session was a week earlier, going five furlongs at Del Mar. In his last race, he finished sixth in the Malibu (G1) over seven furlongs on the main track at Santa Anita on Dec. 26, trained by Bob Baffert.

More Than Looks (More Than Ready), who clinched the 2023 Manila (Grade 3), returned to the track for a four-furlong sprint in 49.8 seconds at Keeneland, marking the sixth fastest of eight. This was his first training since his last race, where he was runner-up in the Fourstardave Handicap (G1) over one mile on turf at Saratoga on Aug. 11, also trained by Cherie DeVaux.

Promiseher America (American Pharoah), a 2023 Gazelle (Grade 3) winner, worked four furlongs in 50.3 seconds at Saratoga, achieving the 11th fastest time out of 20. Her last workout was a week ago, covering four furlongs at Saratoga. In her most recent race, she finished fourth in a one-mile allowance on the main track at Saratoga on July 17, under Horacio De Paz’s guidance.

Shotgun Hottie (Gun Runner), a 2023 Molly Pitcher (Grade 3) victor, led the pack with the fastest four-furlong work at Keeneland, clocking in at 47.8 seconds. This session was her first since her last competition, where she secured second place in the Shuvee (G2) over 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Saratoga on July 21, also trained by Cherie DeVaux.

Star Fortress (Sea The Stars), a 2023 Cardinal (Grade 3) winner, completed a four-furlong workout in 49.4 seconds at Keeneland, ranking third among eight. This was her first workout since her last race, where she finished eighth in the Canadian (G2) over 1 1/8 miles on turf at Woodbine on Aug. 10, under Cherie DeVaux’s training.

Surveillance (Constitution), fresh from a Troy (Grade 3) victory, covered three furlongs in 37.5 seconds at Saratoga, placing 12th fastest of 18. This was his first workout post-race. In his last competition, he won the Troy over 5 1/2 furlongs on the main track at Saratoga on Aug. 10, trained by Wayne Potts.

Yes This Time (Not This Time), a 2021 Kent (Grade 3) champion, sprinted five furlongs in 59.0 seconds at Laurel Park, leading as the fastest among five. His last workout was a week ago, covering six furlongs at Laurel Park. In his most recent race, he finished third in an allowance over 1 1/16 miles on turf at Laurel Park on June 30, under Nolan Ramsey’s training.