In the high-stakes world of thoroughbred racing, the names of champion horses echo through the annals of the sport. From the Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan to the Breeders' Cup standouts Mullikin and Post Time, these equine athletes continue to captivate fans and trainers alike with their remarkable performances on the track. This comprehensive report delves into the latest workouts and race results of these equine superstars, offering a glimpse into the relentless pursuit of greatness that defines the sport of kings.

Powering Through the Paces: Mystik Dan, Mullikin, and Post Time Shine in Workouts

Mystik Dan: Keeping the Kentucky Derby Champion in Top Form

Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan has remained a consistent presence on the work tab, showcasing his dedication to maintaining peak fitness. The Kenny McPeek trainee recently covered four furlongs in a swift 48.6 seconds at Fair Grounds, demonstrating his continued progress since his last start in the Belmont Stakes. With this being his fourth consecutive weekly workout since returning to serious training, Mystik Dan's connections are clearly committed to ensuring he is primed for his next challenge.

Mullikin: Bouncing Back from Breeders' Cup Setback

Mullikin, the three-time graded stakes winner, made his return to the work tab on Saturday morning, covering four furlongs at Keeneland in a solid 49.0 seconds. This marked the first time the Rodolphe Brisset trainee has been on the track since his third-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Sprint, which represented his first defeat of the year. With four victories in 2024, including triumphs in the prestigious Forego (G1) and John A. Nerud (G2) Stakes, Mullikin has proven himself to be a force to be reckoned with, and his connections will be eager to see him bounce back from that Breeders' Cup setback.

Post Time: Gearing Up for a Rematch with Full Serrano

Post Time, the runner-up in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, also hit the work tab on Saturday, covering four furlongs in 49.6 seconds over the dirt at trainer Brittany Russell's Fair Hill base. In his last start, the Frosted colt was making up ground late but ultimately finished 1 1/2 lengths behind the forwardly-placed Full Serrano. With this being his first workout since the Breeders' Cup, Post Time's connections will be looking to fine-tune his preparation for a potential rematch with his rival.

A Diverse Roster of Graded Stakes Winners Shine in Workouts

Beyond the trio of Kentucky Derby, Forego, and Breeders' Cup contenders, the work tab was filled with an impressive array of graded stakes winners, each showcasing their own unique talents and potential. From the Del Mar Oaks champion Iscreamuscream to the multiple Grade 2 winner Tarifa, these equine athletes are leaving no stone unturned in their pursuit of greatness.

Iscreamuscream: Seeking a Bounce-Back Performance

Iscreamuscream, the Grade 1 winner of the 2024 Del Mar Oaks, worked four furlongs in a respectable 49.8 seconds at Santa Anita on Saturday morning. This was the 38th fastest of 50 works at the distance, and it came just a week after her previous workout at the same track. In her last start, the Phil D'Amato trainee finished fourth in the Rodeo Drive (G2) over 1 1/4 miles on the turf at Santa Anita, and she'll be looking to regain her winning form in her next outing.

Tarifa: Continuing Her Ascent in the Distaff Division

Tarifa, the three-time Grade 2 winner of the Mother Goose, Fair Grounds Oaks, and Rachel Alexandra, worked five furlongs in a solid 1:01.4 at Churchill Downs on Saturday morning. This was the 38th fastest of 76 works at the distance, and it marked her first workout since her last race, in which she emerged victorious in the Mother Goose (G2) at Belmont at the Big A. Trainer Brad Cox will undoubtedly be aiming to keep the momentum going for this talented filly as she continues her rise through the ranks of the distaff division.

A Diverse Array of Graded Stakes Contenders on the Work Tab

The work tab was not limited to just the top-tier performers, as a diverse array of graded stakes contenders also put in their paces on Saturday morning. From the two-time Grade 2 winner Buchu, who covered four furlongs in 48.4 seconds at Churchill Downs, to the Gallant Bob (G2) and Saratoga Special (G2) champion Damon's Mound, who worked four furlongs in 51.0 seconds at Payson Park, these horses are all vying for their own slice of the spotlight.

Buchu and Damon's Mound: Seeking to Regain Their Winning Ways

Buchu, the two-time Grade 2 winner of the Appalachian and Jessamine Stakes, worked four furlongs in a swift 48.4 seconds at Churchill Downs, the 34th fastest of 187 works at the distance. This came just a week after her previous workout at the same track, as the Phil Bauer trainee looks to bounce back from a seventh-place finish in the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1) at Keeneland.Damon's Mound, the two-time graded stakes winner of the Gallant Bob (G2) and Saratoga Special (G2), covered four furlongs in a more modest 51.0 seconds at Payson Park, the 21st fastest of 24 works at the distance. This was his first workout in nearly a month, as the Michelle Lovell trainee aims to rebound from a fourth-place finish in the Malibu (G1) at Santa Anita.

A Showcase of Versatility: From Sprinters to Stayers

The work tab also featured a diverse array of horses, ranging from sprinters like the Grade 2 winner Baby Yoda to stayers like the Grade 2 victor Verstappen. This breadth of talent underscores the depth and versatility of the thoroughbred racing landscape, as trainers and owners strive to position their charges for success at a variety of distances and surfaces.

Baby Yoda and Verstappen: Sprinter and Stayer Showcase Their Talents

Baby Yoda, the Grade 2 winner of the True North Stakes, worked a sharp four furlongs in 48.0 seconds at Belmont Park, the 11th fastest of 159 works at the distance. This came on the heels of a fourth-place finish in the Vosburgh (G3) at Belmont at the Big A, and the Bill Mott trainee will be looking to regain his winning form in his next outing.In contrast, Verstappen, the Grade 2 victor of the Elkhorn Stakes, covered five furlongs in a solid 1:00.8 at Turfway Park, the 10th fastest of 38 works at the distance. The Brendan Walsh trainee is coming off a disappointing 11th-place finish in the Sycamore (G3) at Keeneland, and he'll be aiming to recapture the form that propelled him to success at longer distances.

A Glimpse into the Future: Emerging Talents on the Work Tab

The work tab also provided a glimpse into the future of the sport, with several up-and-coming talents showcasing their potential. From the Grade 2 winner Imagination, who covered four furlongs in a blistering 47.4 seconds at Santa Anita, to the Lexington (G3) champion Encino, who worked three furlongs in 37.4 seconds at Churchill Downs, these young horses are poised to make their mark on the sport in the years to come.

Imagination and Encino: Promising Prospects on the Rise

Imagination, the Grade 2 winner of the San Felipe Stakes, worked four furlongs in a sizzling 47.4 seconds at Santa Anita, the second fastest of 50 works at the distance. This came just a week after his previous workout at the same track, and the Bob Baffert trainee will be looking to build on his recent runner-up effort in an allowance race at Santa Anita as he sets his sights on bigger challenges.Encino, the Grade 3 victor of the Lexington Stakes, covered three furlongs in a solid 37.4 seconds at Churchill Downs, the eighth fastest of 16 works at the distance. This was his first workout in two weeks, as the Brad Cox trainee aims to maintain the momentum from his Lexington triumph and position himself for success in his next outing.

A Tapestry of Talent: Graded Stakes Winners Across the Divisions

The work tab was a veritable tapestry of talent, showcasing graded stakes winners across a diverse range of divisions and distances. From the sprinter Yo Yo Candy, the Grade 3 winner of the Sanford Stakes, to the stayer Temple, the Grade 2 victor of the Mac Diarmida Stakes, these horses have proven their mettle at the highest levels of the sport.

Yo Yo Candy and Temple: Sprinter and Stayer Showcase Their Versatility

Yo Yo Candy, the Grade 3 winner of the Sanford Stakes, worked four furlongs in a solid 50.2 seconds at Parx Racing, the 24th fastest of 54 works at the distance. The Daniel Velazquez trainee is coming off a victory in a starter allowance race at the same track, and he'll be looking to build on that success as he continues to climb the ranks of the sprint division.Temple, the Grade 2 victor of the Mac Diarmida Stakes, covered five furlongs in a more modest 1:04.6 at Fair Grounds, the 38th fastest of 43 works at the distance. The Mike Maker trainee is coming off a win in a starter allowance race at Belterra Park, and he'll be aiming to translate that form into a return to graded stakes competition in his next start.

A Tapestry of Talent: Graded Stakes Winners Across the Divisions

The work tab was a veritable tapestry of talent, showcasing graded stakes winners across a diverse range of divisions and distances. From the sprinter Yo Yo Candy, the Grade 3 winner of the Sanford Stakes, to the stayer Temple, the Grade 2 victor of the Mac Diarmida Stakes, these horses have proven their mettle at the highest levels of the sport.

Yo Yo Candy and Temple: Sprinter and Stayer Showcase Their Versatility

Yo Yo Candy, the Grade 3 winner of the Sanford Stakes, worked four furlongs in a solid 50.2 seconds at Parx Racing, the 24th fastest of 54 works at the distance. The Daniel Velazquez trainee is coming off a victory in a starter allowance race at the same track, and he'll be looking to build on that success as he continues to climb the ranks of the sprint division.Temple, the Grade 2 victor of the Mac Diarmida Stakes, covered five furlongs in a more modest 1:04.6 at Fair Grounds, the 38th fastest of 43 works at the distance. The Mike Maker trainee is coming off a win in a starter allowance race at Belterra Park, and he'll be aiming to translate that form into a return to graded stakes competition in his next start.