Honor Marie works for first time since Kentucky Jockey Club victory

Honor Marie, winner of the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes on Nov. 25, had his first workout since shipping to Fair Grounds when he breezed three furlongs in 37.20 on Dec. 31.

Trainer Whit Beckman said several weeks ago that Honor Marie would work around the first of the year, meaning the colt has kept to his intended schedule. A natural starting point for his 3-year-old campaign would be the $400,000 Risen Star Stakes on Feb. 17.

Honor Marie, by Honor Code, won his debut going six furlongs on Sept. 29, finished second to subsequent Oklahoma Derby winner Ottoman Fleet in a seven-furlong allowance Oct. 29, and aced his stakes and two-turn debut capturing the KJC by two lengths, earning a 92 Beyer Speed Figure.

◗ Trainer Michelle Lovell and Jose Lopez’s JAL racing are in no hurry to send their sparkling debut winner Doncho on the road or into a route race. Lovell said in a text message Friday that her preference is to keep Doncho at Fair Grounds and sprint him for a second time. Doncho, by Mo Town, debuted Dec. 30 and won what appeared to be a live maiden race by five lengths. Doncho ran six furlongs in 1:09.99 and got a 94 Beyer.

◗ Mayocks Bay won’t be the longest-priced winner Ben Curtis rides for trainer Michael Stidham this meet but might offer a touch of value in Sunday’s featured fourth race, a turf mile for 3-year-old first-level allowance horses or $100,000 claimers. Curtis has gone 4 for 11 riding for Stidham, the winners including 5-1 Tufani in the Pago Hop Stakes and 46-1 Fleet Frost in a maiden grass sprint. Mayocks Bay was sixth at this class level racing on dirt Nov. 23, but makes his first grass start and is the second foal to race out of turf stakes winner Hallie Belle, also trained by Stidham.

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