Joseph works Drain the Clock, A. P.'s Secret for upcoming stakes

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Drain the Clock, among the likely favorites for Saturday’s Grade 3 Gulfstream Park Sprint, looked sharp breezing four furlongs in company in a handy 47.41 seconds here Monday, completing his final quarter in 23.75 before galloping out five furlongs in 1:00.33.

“I thought he went really well,” trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. said. “I wasn’t looking for too much just five days before the race. He came home good, shading 23 for his final quarter, and galloped out really well. I think he’s in the best order we’ve had him, which is saying a lot. He just needs a good next five days and I think he stands a really good chance.”

:: Access morning workout reports straight from the tracks and get an edge with DRF Clocker Reports

Also on Monday, Joseph worked A. P.’s Secret, one of his top 3-year-old prospects. A. P.’s Secret worked five furlongs in company with the older multiple stakes winner Ny Traffic, with an eye on the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth on March 5.

“We let him take dirt today because he’s going to face that scenario sooner or later, and I thought he was very solid,” Joseph said. “He went fast in the beginning and still quickened after that. We think a lot of him, but he’s going to need to jump forward for his next race. The Fountain of Youth makes the most sense. I think he’s good enough, it’s around two turns, and we might as well take advantage of the fact it’s at home.”

Joseph will pass the Fountain of Youth with Holy Bull winner White Abarrio, his leading Kentucky Derby prospect, and await the Grade 1 Florida Derby on April 2.

Among Joseph’s other bevy of workers here Monday was Mabee Luckynwild, who was ridden by apprentice Megane Peslier, the daughter of France’s reknowned jockey Olivier Peslier. Joseph named Megane Peslier to ride Eagle Eye in Wednesday’s eighth race here. Peslier is an apprentice in her native France, and will ride with a seven-pound allowance in her U.S. debut.

“She’s been galloping and breezing horses for Todd Pletcher, has shown promise, and wanted to ride some horses while she was over here in the U.S., so I’m going to give her a chance,” Joseph said. “Her father is one of the best riders ever. She looked good working the horse for me this morning, and life is about being given chances. People gave me chances when I was younger and I like to do the same for others when I can. You don’t get that many of them, so when they come along, you have to make them count.”

◗ Joseph sends out Surreal Fantasy as one of the favorites in Wednesday’s allowance feature, which carries a $61,000 purse and will be decided at a mile and one-sixteenth on the turf. All six of Surreal Fantasy’s rivals are coming off a victory. Love Her Lots is the only multiple winner in the field, while On Alert, Daisy Bee, and My Philly Twirl each exit a two-turn maiden win on grass.

Surreal Fantasy will be making her turf debut while dropping into allowance company for the first time after being bumped soundly at the break and finishing far back in the Cash Run Stakes here on New Year’s Day.