Empire Way, second in the Grade 2 Robert Lewis Stakes on Feb. 4, worked five furlongs in 1:01 at Hollywood Park on Saturday, preparing for the $300,000 San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita next Saturday.

“He’s not much of a workhorse and he galloped out strongly,” trainer Mike Harrington said. “He got a lot out of it.”

Harrington said he is considering starting Creative Cause, third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Churchill Downs last fall, in the San Felipe.

He said a decision will be made when entries are due on Wednesday.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Battle Hardened, who broke his maiden in the Grade 3 Sam F. Davis Stakes, will take his next big step on the Kentucky Derby trail next Saturday when he returns to Tampa Bay Downs for the Grade 2 Tampa Bay Derby. Trainer Eddie Kenneally put the finishing touches on his preparations for the race by sending Battle Hardened out to breeze an easy five furlongs in 1:01.80 seconds before sunrise on Saturday at Palm Meadows, going in company with stablemate Force de La Nature.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Union Rags was challenging the mutuel field for favoritism as betting closed Friday in the first of three days of wagering into Pool 2 of the 2012 Kentucky Derby Future Wager.

After $46,113 was bet into the win pool Friday, the field, the 24th or “all others” option, was the 2-1 favorite over Union Rags (3-1). Then came Hansen (12-1), who runs Saturday in the lone major prep of the weekend, the Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct. Next in line were El Padrino (16-1), Creative Cause (18-1), and Alpha (19-1). Exacta handle Friday was $14,842.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The mutuel field closed as a slight 3-1 favorite over the top individually listed option, Union Rags, when Pool 2 of the 2012 Kentucky Derby Future Wager closed Sunday at 6 p.m. Eastern.

Union Rags, an impressive winner of the Fountain of Youth in his seasonal debut Feb. 26, was the 4-1 second choice, followed by Hansen (9-1), El Padrino (12-1), Creative Cause (17-1), Alpha (18-1), Fed Biz (22-1), and I’ll Have Another (22-1). Out of Bounds, who closed at 23-1, broke down Monday morning and is off the Triple Crown trail.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – The last time Barry Schwartz remembers running a horse in the Wood Memorial was in 1980 when Degenerate Jon finished fourth, one position behind Genuine Risk.

Two weeks later, Genuine Risk would win the Kentucky Derby while Schwartz’s Degenerate Jon finished eighth.

Schwartz hopes to make it back to the Wood – and perhaps the Derby – this year with the lightly raced The Lumber Guy, who coming off a victory in the seven-furlong Miracle Wood Stakes at Laurel on Feb. 25 is being pointed to the $1 million Wood at Aqueduct on April 7.

Pool 1 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager took place three weeks ago, and it was so popular that bettors poured more money into it than they had since it debuted in 1999. The field, which includes every 3-year-old except the 23 individual betting interests, was made the 3-2 favorite. Union Rags was the second choice at 7-1.

Handicappers who didn’t go “all in” with their futures funds in Pool 1 should be even more opinionated in Pool 2, which began Friday and concludes Sunday.

Countdown to the Crown returns for a seventh season online as one of the most comprehensive handicapper’s scouting reports of the 3-year-old scene. Posted each Friday at DRF.com from Jan. 6 through the Belmont Stakes, Countdown keeps you apprised of the rising stars of the 3-year-old class from the maiden ranks through the Grade 1 stakes. You can access daily updates and interactive features at Countdowntothecrown.com as well.

I’ll Have Another, the upset winner of the Grade 2 Robert Lewis Stakes on Feb. 4, will work six furlongs after the seventh race on Saturday, trainer Doug O’Neill said.

Owned by Paul Reddam, I’ll Have Another is being pointed for the Santa Anita Derby.

“It’s a little experience in front of a good-sized crowd,” O’Neill said of the workout. “He came out of the Bob Lewis in great shape. His stride is as long as ever and he’s full of energy. He seems like he’s up to taking on the big-time horses.”

ARCADIA, Calif. – Holy Candy is still a maiden – and still very much on the Triple Crown trail from the perspective of trainer John Sadler.

In Saturday’s second race at Santa Anita, Holy Candy will be heavily favored to win a maiden race over 1 1/16 miles, which could lead to a major stakes appearance in late March or early April. Judging from the competition he has faced, Holy Candy will be difficult to oppose on Saturday.

2012 Kentucky Derby Future Wager, Pool 2: Free PPs

PPs for all Triple Crown nominated horses: A to B | C to D |