I know that workouts are not a major factor in most sheet-players handicapping, but I am intrigued with all the hype following the morning preparation for the Derby and Oaks.

I watch those TVG "The Works" shows when possible, read all the daily news via Bloodhorse, Thorooughbred Times, etc. and even talk to a few friends in the business who happen to go to Churchill about 3 weeks early every year just to watch the works. Personally, I don't much pay attention to when a horse is doig well, but think that noting when a horse IS NOT working well is much more important.

Anyway, everyone I speak to and most reports I read talk about how tremendous Frankel's YOU looks. I'm not aware of how the Oaks fillies look on TG sheets (I use the other product, actually, although you don't have to be concerned about me stirring the pot in this forum), but she isn't anything standoutish on the Rags. In fact, I would go as far as saying that both Take Charge Lady and possibly Imperial Gesture look more formidable (the latter is a tough call, as Ragozin has no approx. #s for her races in Dubai, but her BC effort at 2 was so good that she merits my respect tomorrow).

The problem I have with the glowing reports about YOU, and the just average reports about TAKE CHARGE LADY are that they come from people who probably have never seen either of these fillies work prior to 2 weeks ago. Basically, it's altogether possible that this is the way these fillies ALWAYS look in the mornings. Does anyone in this forum have any idea as to how YOU and TAKE CHARGE LADY normally look in their works? I know that Kenny McPeek was quoted as saying that he didn't think Churchill was TCL's favorite surface, and that she didn't handle it great last year as a 2yo in the mud. The Rag number she got for that effort really wasn't bad, which leads me to not pay too much attention to McPeek's comments.

My whole agenda here is to try to make a score on the Oaks/Derby double, mainly trying to beat Harlan's Holiday and Came Home in the Derby, while not having to go too deep in the Oaks. Any thoughts on the double, or insight as to how the aforementioned fillies normally look in the mornings?