Buddy's Saint and Homeboykris work

Buddy's Saint and Homeboykris, two of the top 3-year-old prospects on the grounds at Gulfstream Park, worked on a very cold and windy morning here Wednesday.

Buddy's Saint went an easy half-mile in 49.71 seconds according to Daily Racing Form shortly before 8 a.m, cruising along through fractions of of 25.11 and 37.51 seconds while never asked to extend himself. He galloped out five-eighths in 1:02.83. The work was his second since his arrival in south Florida last month.

"He's not a really fast breezer unless you put him in company," trainer Bruce Levine said later that morning. "Then he'll get aggressive and go faster. At the moment, time doesn't matter that much when it comes to his works."

Levine said he would work Buddy's Saint every five days for the time being, then switch to a six-day schedule once he gets closer to his first goal this winter, the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth on Feb. 20.

"He doesn't have to go very fast right now because we still have a ways to go before his race," said Levine. "When we start picking up the pace in the morning, then I'll space his works a little further apart.

Homeboykris worked shortly after the renovation break, going six furlongs in 1:14.69 and completing his final quarter in 24.29 seconds under mild encouragement before galloping out seven-eighths in 1:28.24. Homeboykris, winner of the Grade 1 Champagne in his 2-year-old finale, has a much earlier target on his schedule than Buddy's Saint - the Grade 3 Holy Bull at a mile on Jan. 23.

"We got just what we wanted this morning," trainer Rick Dutrow said. "We're right on target for the Holy Bull, although he's still got one more work to go, and like this one, it will be a major test, too. At the moment, we're in good shape, babe."