LOS ALAMITOS, CA—NOVEMBER 6, 2017—Several big names were on the track for workouts on Saturday morning at Los Alamitos Race Course.

The list included two-time Grade 1 winner BH Lisas Boy, who is returning from surgery with an ultimate goal of racing in the Champion of Champions on December 16; KVN Corona, winner of the Grade 1 Ed Burke Million Futurity and Grade 2 PCQHRA Breeders Futurity; Time For Jess, winner of the Grade 1 Mildred Vessels Memorial Handicap; and Platki, a finalist to the Ed Burke Million.

Ridden by Cesar De Alba for owner/trainer/breeder Bill Hoburg, BH Lisas Boy appears to be back to his all-star form after working 220 yards in :11.90 on Saturday, his first timed drill since having surgery a few days after winning the Grade 1 Vessels Maturity on July 2. BH Lisas Boy previously won the Grade 1 Los Alamitos Winter Championship, a race that gave him an invitation to run in the Grade 1, $750,000 Champion of Champions.

"I was really happy with his workout," Hoburg said. "He walked in to the gate, stood great, left nicely, and jockey didn't ask him and just let him roll down the late. He didn't look like he was going that fast, but then I saw him going and thought 'holy cow, he's flying.' He came back from the work and cooled down nicely. His knees were nice and cold this morning. I couldn't be happier."

Hoburg will give the Mighty Invictus gelding a race before turning his full attention to the 440-yard Champion of Champions.

"We'll point him to the Z. Wayne Griffin Directors Trials on Sunday, November 19," he added. "It's been a long road back, but he's been the ideal patient. He's shown courage and heart and he's just an unbelievable animal to be around."

Owned by Keith Nellesen and trained by Paul Jones, the Corona Cartel colt KVN Corona worked 350 yards in :17.60, the fastest of six works at that distance on Saturday. Unbeaten in five starts, the talented juvenile will headline the trials to the Grade 1 Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity on Sunday, November 26. KVN Corona is a full brother to Grade 1 Los Alamitos Super Derby winner Big Lew.

Legacy Ranch’s Platki will also take part in the Los Alamitos Two Million trials after working 350 yards in :17.90. The Corona Cartel will make his first start since finishing fifth to KVN Corona in the Ed Burke Million final. He had won his previous two races easily, breaking his maiden by a length on May 6 and then posting the fastest qualifying time to the Ed Burke Million following a ¾ length trial win on June 4.

Spackman Racing’s Time For Jess, currently the only mare with a spot in the Champion of Champions, worked 220 yards in :12.40, her first official move since winning the Mildred Vessels at 400 yards on September 24.

“It was a good workout for her,” trainer Lin Melton said. “Like I’ve said before, she’s not a mare that likes to train or have workouts. That’s just not her, but she did well on Saturday.”

Her connections are looking to run her in the Las Damas Handicap for fillies and mares on Saturday, November 25 prior to her big Champion of Champions test.

“She’d much rather run than train,” Melton added. “The Las Damas is three weeks from the Champion of Champions so it’s a nice prep for her.”

Time For Jess will look to become the first female runner to win the Champion of Champions since Blues Girl Too won the race as a 3-year-old filly in 2007.

Courtesy of www.losalamitos.com.