Sky Mesa, who will likely carry John C. Oxley's silks in the $1 million Florida Derby (gr. I) at Gulfstream on March 15, had his third workout on the comeback trail at Palm Beach Downs Monday. The bay 3-year-old colt was timed in 1:04 2/5 breezing for five furlongs."It was his third workout since I've put him back in training," trainer John T. Ward, Jr. said. "I breezed him last week at Palm Beach and he went an easy half-mile in :51 2/5. Before that, he breezed three furlongs. I'm going slow with him and I'll let him take us where he wants to go."Sky Mesa was undefeated in three starts in 2002, including a victory in the Lane's End Breeders' Futurity (gr. II) at Keeneland. He was the pre-race favorite for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) at Arlington Park before he suffered a minor ankle injury in October. "I'm not sure when he will make his first start," Ward said. "I'll work him a couple of more times then make a decision as to when and where he'll run. I might even bring him to Gulfstream and give him one work over the track before I run him." Ward also worked Hero's Tribute at Palm Beach Downs and the stakes-winning colt was clocked in 1:13 2/5 breezing for six furlongs. Hero's Tribute is being pointed towards the $500,000 Donn Handicap (gr. I) at 1 1/18 miles on Feb. 22."It was a good workout," Ward said of Hero's Tribute. "He went well and is doing well. If everything continues to be all right then he'll run next in the Donn."From The Workout Desk:
Gulfstream: Trainer Ken McPeek had Hi Tech Honeycomb work three furlongs in :36 2/5 breezing on Tuesday. Hi Tech Honeycomb will run in Saturday's Sabin Handicap...Hall of Famer H. Allen Jerkens worked Spite The Devil six furlongs in 1:14 3/5 breezing on Wednesday. The stakes-placed colt is a possible starter for the Fountain of Youth Stakes.
Calder Race Course: Trainer Marty Wolfson worked the stakes-winning Laurica a half-mile in :49 2/5 breezing on Monday...Redoubled Miss breezed :49 3/5 on Tuesday. Trainer Ron Spatz is planning on starting Redoubled Miss in Saturday's The Very One Handicap...Trainer Bill Cesare had his multiple stakes-winner Cellars Shiraz work a mile in 1:47 2/5 breezing on Wednesday. Cellars Shiraz could make her next start in the $100,000 Suwannee River Handicap (gr. III) at 1 1/18 miles on the turf on March 2.Palm Meadows:
Trainer Barclay Tagg had Funny Cide work a half-mile in :48 4/5 breezing on Wednesday. The winner of two New York-bred stakes races, Funny Cide might start next in the Fountain of Youth Stakes.