Whether you are a dabbling duck or one that takes a deep dive, there is something for everyone as the Downs–Kentucky and Colonial–plus Woodbine Racetrack and the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, all feature high-level grass action.

KENTUCKY DOWNS GRADED SIX PACK

The uniquely designed turf course at Kentucky Downs cards the most graded stakes this Saturday, which will lead off with the GIII Ladies Marathon S.

Going 1 5/16ths, look for MGSP Vergara (Noble Mission) to stalk the pace as she returns to the site where she won last year by a head in the Dueling Grounds Oaks. Standing in her way is GSW Personal Best (Tapit) who broke her maiden at last year's meet before going on to face graded company this spring at Gulfstream Park where the homebred won the GIII La Prevoyante S.

With no overwhelming favorite on the morning-line, expect the GII Franklin-Simpson S. to be an all-out war both on the tote and sprinting down the stretch. Playlist (Uncle Mo), making her first stakes start, will look to go on the offensive early versus the boys, but she will have to contend with Sweet Cherry Pie (Twirling Candy), who has never sampled turf, and GSW Mo Stash (Mo Town), who is cutting back for the first time in almost a year.

Playlist | Coady Photography

“I like to run fillies against colts in sprints,” said Playlist's trainer Wesley Ward. “I don't think it makes a big difference. If you look at the times in the 2-year-olds in training sales, the fillies are always faster as a group. I think they can compete against the colts every time.”

Moving right along, the GIII Kentucky Downs Ladies Turf S. pits GISP and MGSP White Frost (Candy Ride {Arg}) against GSW and 'TDN Rising Star' New Year's Eve (Kitten's Joy). After a very solid first half, the former was second in the De La Rose S. Aug. 2 at Saratoga and will face many of those competitors in this spot, while the latter prepped ably by winning this race's preview at Ellis Park Aug. 6.

Back to the speedsters for the GII Turf S. for males, it is going to be a pleasure to see another bout between the top two finishers in Aug. 5 running of the GIII Troy S. at Saratoga. That slugfest upstate saw Cogburn (Not This Time) catch GSW Nobals (Noble Mission {GB}) just before the wire. If this race wasn't tough enough, you will also find 'TDN Rising Star' and Woodbine GII Connaught Cup hero Dream Shake (Twirling Candy) looking to make it three wins in a row.

The GII Ladies Turf S. includes favorite MGSP Bay Storm (Kantharos), as she looks to add to her overall earnings after winning the prep for this race Aug. 5 at Ellis Park, and the experienced GSW and GISP Wakanaka (Ire) (Power {GB}).

Bringing up the graded rear going 12 furlongs will be the $1.7-million GII Turf Cup S., which offers a 'Win and You're In' opportunity into the GI Breeders' Cup Longines Turf. A pair of Brendan Walsh trainees in GSW Verstappen (War Front) and MGISW Santin (Distorted Humor) come calling, but they are going to have to be cognizant of GI United Nations S. victor Therapist (Freud) and GIII Dinner Party S. winner Never Explain (Street Sense).

“I wouldn't completely rule out him going back to dirt again at some point,” Walsh said of Santin. “But he's a heck of a turf horse … he ran a very good second in the Arlington Million. It was a fantastic run. He was up on the pace the whole way and was there to be shot at. And he held in there and ran a really, really good second. I feel he's doing really well coming into here. He got a mile and a quarter at Colonial. I don't see why he wouldn't get a mile and a half. He's a very relaxed horse, maybe a little too laid back if anything.”

KLARAVICH STABLEMATES TRADE BLOWS IN VIRGINIA DERBY

Program Trading | Sarah Andrew

On its closing day Saturday, Colonial Downs hosts the nine-furlong GIII Virginia Derby.

Klaravich Stables has a pair of Chad Brown trainees which pose a major threat to the rest of the field. Activist Investing (GB) (Kingman {GB}) was very sharp at this distance when he cleared the optional claiming ranks Aug. 13 at Saratoga in his lone race this year. He will do battle with GI Saratoga Derby star Program Trading (GB) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) by attempting to relieve his speed-oriented stablemate of his perfect record.

Also present is Salute the Stars (Candy Ride {Arg}), winner of the Monmouth Park Pegasus S. June 17 and surprise longshot from the Aug. 12 GII Secretariat S. at Colonial, Gigante (Not This Time), who is trying to become the first Virginia-bred to win this race.

WOODBINE'S TURF ACE RETURNS

Not to be missed in the GII Canadian S. for older females is the return of last year's victoress Fev Rover (Ire) (Gutalfan {Ire}), who wired the field last out in the GI Beverly D Aug. 12 at Colonial. She will square off against the top three finishers from the GII Dance Smartly S. Aug. 20 at Woodbine, which includes Miss Dracarys (Malibu Moon).

“Javier [Castellano] and I were flying to Colonial Downs, and we were talking about the race [Beverly D],” said Fev Rover's trainer Mark Casse. “He said, 'There's no speed in this race.' I agreed and told him that she can go right to the lead. The nice thing about her, and Tepin [champion and dual Hall of Fame mare] was the same way, is that a great horse can bring their A-game no matter the situation. So, we went right to the lead, and it was over when that happened.”

Also on the graded docket is the GIII Singspiel S., which returns to 1 1/4 grass distance from two years ago. GSP Malibu Mambo (Point of Entry) could be the hot commodity after a sharp late surge against optional claimers in Toronto Aug. 12, but don't count out GSP Palazzi (Pioneerof the Nile). 

DEL MAR SPORTS LONE GRADED DIRT RACE

Julias Dream | Benoit

The GI Del Mar Debutante S., the only graded dirt race on Saturday, is sure to bring some attention with a capacity field of 14. First-crop sire Flameaway is well represented with 'TDN Rising Star' Julias Dream, who broke her maiden by 5 1/2 lengths over the turf at Del Mar Aug. 6. She will take on the top two finishers from the GIII Sorrento S. Aug. 12, Dreamfyre (Flameaway) and Benedetta (City of Light). The lineup also includes Chatalas (Gun Runner) and Tamara (Bolt d'Oro), who both broke their maidens at first asking in Solana Beach July 30 and Aug. 19, respectively.

It wouldn't be Del Mar's surf without the turf and this year's GII John Mabee S. might be remembered as a match between GII Yellow Ribbon H. wearer Closing Remarks (Vronsky) and MGSW Neige Blanche (Fr) (Anodin {Ire}). Still, no one should overlook trainer Phil D'Amato's offerings. After all, he is looking to edge out Bob Baffert for the training title, and both Oakhurst (Mr Speaker) and GSW Turnerloose (Nyquist) will try to help the cause as the Del Mar meet concludes Sunday with a pair of graded races, the GI Runhappy Del Mar Futurity and GIII Del Mar Juvenile Turf S.

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Lukas, 87, built his exceptional career with dirt horses and most years saddles far fewer horses on the grass. So far in 2023, just six of his 193 starters (3%) have run on turf. Since the beginning of 2019, 11.9% of his starters have been on turf. His most recent graded stakes winner on turf was Skyring (English Channel) in the 2014 GII Mervin Muniz Jr. H.

In the last four-and-a-half seasons, Lukas has had 38 2-year-old starters on turf from a total of 301 runners (12.6%) and has a record of 0-1-4.

Conditions permitting, Lukas's first 2-year-old runner on the grass this year could be Seize the Grey (Arrogate) Friday in the Skidmore S. With a rain forecast of 90% Thursday night and 100% Friday, there is a good chance that the New York Racing Association will move the turf races to the dirt.

Lukas has targeted the 1 1/16 miles With Anticipation for Market Street because he is planning to run Just Steel (Justify) in the GI Hopeful Sept. 4. Just Steel finished second by three lengths to 'TDN Rising Star' Pirate (Omaha Beach) on July 15 and broke his maiden by a nose on Aug. 5.

Market Street set the early pace in the 6 1/2-furlong Saratoga Special, but Rhyme Schemes (Ghostzapper) unleashed an impressive run in the stretch and matched his Ellis Park maiden score with a 9 1/2-length victory. Lukas said he was pleased with Market Street's run in the Special–“I thought it was good enough,” he said–even though he was a distant second to a spectacular performance.

“That's what happens up here,” he said. “You run a real good race and all of a sudden you look up and there's one that is really good. You have to deal with them.”

Lukas said Market Street will not train on the turf before the With Anticipation, but with his running style should be able to handle the surface change.

“We're not smart enough to have a crystal ball to tell whether they like it or not,” he said. “That's always a conversation among trainers. I always say, 'I don't think anybody knows till they try it.' I've really got a couple other horses backed up, so it's kind of a nice fit for him to drop in there.”

Lukas noted that in this wet summer at Saratoga Race Course the With Anticipation might end up on the dirt.

Through Wednesday's racing, Lukas has a record at Saratoga of 2-9-0 from 25 starters. Both of his wins and five of his seconds have come from 13 starts with 2-year-olds. He said he has five maidens in his barn.

“Our 2-year-olds should all come around a second time now pretty strong,” Lukas said.

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There were originally four turf races scheduled for Friday and two for Saturday, with none scheduled on Sunday. All races over the weekend will be held on the dirt.

“As a result of our extended race meet at Pimlico, we will pause all turf racing this coming weekend so that we may execute an enhanced maintenance program that will allow us to sustain turf racing through August,” said the Maryland Jockey Club in a statement.

Pimlico's Preakness Meet's closing day has been extended from May 31 to Aug. 22. Following the Maryland State Fair Meet at Timonium, live racing will return to Laurel Sept. 9.

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The fastest six days in horse racing will be staged Sept. 5, 6, 8, 9, 11 and 12, kicking off on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend and concluding the following Sunday. Tickets for the unique all-grass meet are available for purchase now at kentuckydowns.com/racing or kentuckydownstickets.com.

New will be the VIP Chalet, a glass-enclosed, air-conditioned facility with an outdoor terrace providing a spectacular view of the race course and located mere yards from the rail. The expansive structure will feature more amenities, high-end cuisine, open bar and betting windows.

The popular Finish Line Pavilion once again will be expanded. The venue will have enhanced food options, dedicated cash bar and betting windows.

COVID safety restrictions limited the 2020 meet to horsemen and their guests. For 2021, free general admission will be back in front of the Mint Gaming Hall and with tailgating at the top of the stretch.

Ticket pricing is tiered according to the day of the week and will be sold in tables of eight only.

Finish Line Pavilion tables are available for $495 on Sept. 5 (Sunday), Sept. 6 (Labor Day Monday) and Sept. 12 (Sunday); for $795 on Sept. 11 (the showcase Saturday card) and $369 on Wednesday Sept. 8 and Thursday Sept. 9.

Tables for eight in the VIP Chalet can be purchased for $995 on Sept. 5, 6 and 12 and for $549 on Sept. 8 and 9. No tickets are available for Sept. 11, with the venue limited to sponsors, invited guests and horsemen in the track's five graded stakes.

Ted Nicholson, Kentucky Downs Vice President for Racing, encouraged buying tickets early, saying: “History tells us they'll go quickly, especially on the weekends.”

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That’s certainly a plausible inference, looking at the latest Grade I event staged on American turf. Of the seven fillies and mares contesting the Just A Game S. at Belmont on Saturday, four were bred in Europe; and three of those also started their track careers there. Moreover the solitary American winner at Royal Ascot was actually bred and raised in Ireland, and exported only last fall from Tattersalls.

It stands to reason, of course, if European blood tends to appear more effective on “the weeds”. Turf, or a synthetic variant, is the theater of operation for just about every Thoroughbred over there. Little wonder if raiders from their elite have such a good record on grass at the Breeders’ Cup, taking on horses drawn from what is generally perceived to be a lesser caste of the indigenous population.

Sure enough, I see horses running every week in Europe that would elevate their earnings and breeding profile in North America. Nonetheless I feel that the success of European imports–whether purchased in training like Uni (GB) (More Than Ready); or acquired in their youth like Newspaperofrecord (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire})–needs to be placed in due perspective. Because there’s no doubt in my mind that European breeders are suffering by their wilful neglect of American bloodlines.

Yes, all credit to those American scouts who found these Just A Game protagonists. And hats off to Wesley Ward, his patrons at Stonestreet Stables and agent Ben McElroy, who found G2 Queen Mary S. winner Campanelle (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) in the consignment of breeder Tally-Ho Stud at the October Sale for 190,000gns.

But their expertise should not diminish those other performances that actually gave American blood a “sneaky-good” week at Ascot–even though the weather, conspiring with the melancholy ambience of the pandemic, had produced conditions inimical to horses purportedly adapted to fast going.

Remember that a culpable insularity in the European market over recent years duly resulted in a very sparse representation, through the week, of American bloodlines. In most races, especially over routes of ground, there was none whatsoever. Yet such few bullets as were fired repeatedly circled the bull’s-eye.

At Group 1 level, Kimari (Munnings) was an excellent second in the Commonwealth Cup; likewise another sophomore filly, Sharing (Speightstown), in the Coronation S. Two sons of Uncle Mo lined up for the G2 Norfolk S.: one, Golden Pal, travelled best but was just worried out of it, by a neck, in the dead ground; the other missed the break but finished well for fourth. A similar credit goes to Monarch of Egypt (American Pharoah) in the G3 Jersey S., having made a scything move from last to first before just being clawed back in the cloying final strides.

Though running in the silks of partner Peter Brant, who bought him with M.V. Magnier as a yearling, Monarch of Egypt modelled the latest solution to what is an increasing challenge to his trainer’s patrons at Coolmore. For his dam, the Classic-placed Up (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), typifies the saturation of the farm’s broodmare band by its epoch-making champion sire. As a fresh outcross option, there has been an extra premium on American Pharoah’s strong start in grass racing.

Hitherto Coolmore’s investment in War Front has been as effective as anything–perhaps bar their own, lamented Scat Daddy–and the latest reward is Chesham S. winner Battleground. He’s the first foal out of one of Galileo’s very best daughters, Found (Ire). (Britannia H. third Cherokee Trail, incidentally, represents the same formula, being by War Front out of a smart Galileo {Ire} mare.)

I’d say that’s a pretty creditable effort, in the circumstances. In fact, for so small a group to figure so prominently on soft turf should encourage people to reconsider their assumptions about the eligibility of American bloodlines for different environments.

All pedigrees tend to be read too prescriptively. It always makes me smile when trainers, asked how a horse might handle a novel surface, reply that “the sire acted on it so we should be okay”. Yes, a stallion may sometimes replicate mechanics that are effective in certain conditions (which is presumably why we do get some legible statistical trends). But quite apart from the dam’s equal contribution to build and movement, you would think that staring intently at the same horse striding out every morning might be a better place to start.

Anyway the fact is that many perceived aptitudes, in terms of racing surface, are self-fulfilling. Don’t worry, I’m not going to reiterate for the umpteenth time how many “dirt” bloodlines only need opportunity to transfer their dynamism to turf, and vice versa. But carrying speed is said to be a dirt hallmark. And I don’t know a horseman anywhere who wouldn’t like a fast horse who can keep going fast. (That’s the whole point of Epsom, after all: next Saturday you’ll need a horse round there that has all bases covered.)

There’s no doubt that the overwhelming hegemony of Galileo and his sons (plus Urban Sea’s other great son Sea The Stars {Ire}) in elite European racing beyond a mile has obtained a somewhat self-sustaining quality, with commercial breeders washing their hands of stamina influences and instead seeking sanctuary in sharp and early sprint sires. These stallions do not have the slightest pretension to getting you a Classic winner.

Typically, the precious few who do try to stem the Ballydoyle tide in Classics are owner-breeders. And they have actually been well rewarded for doing so. For one thing, even if they stick to what they know, they can still get to Enable (GB)’s sire Nathaniel (Ire), himself a son of Galileo, for no more than £25,000. But who can say what their pathetic lack of enterprise is costing the premier European stables, farther afield? As it is, David Redvers has been able to buy champion Roaring Lion and now 2,000 Guineas winner Kameko–both, of course, sons of Kitten’s Joy–for an aggregate of just $250,000.

I am absolutely certain that their sire is just one example of the neglected Classic potential available to European operations on the American marketplace. And that’s because, in polar contrast to the gross caricature that somehow retains currency among European horsemen who should know better, American commercial breeders are still dedicated to the Classic grail. Yes, they want speed; but they want speed that will last two turns on the first Saturday in May.

One of the most prominent (and therefore, presumably, one of the most affluent) agents in Europe once told me that he never goes to Keeneland because American breeders are only interested in speed. I merely smirked to myself. I should have laughed in his face. Because really it’s disgusting that someone in his position doesn’t understand how many Kentucky stallions could give his clients’ mares a chance to break the Ballydoyle and/or Urban Sea monopolies at Epsom.

In recent times, it has instead been American professionals who have shown a wholesome spirit of adventure, whether at Royal Ascot or Tattersalls. Yet they, in turn, should think carefully about the kind of variegation they want to import from the European gene pool.

Bravo to those who have taken the logical next step, after seeing the success of horses bought off the track in Europe, by trying to recruit them less expensively at source. But if unearthing a Royal Ascot juvenile is a challenging commission, then let’s not forget that it’s pretty much the same one that has caused this worrying imbalance in European commercial breeding.

The rags-to-riches story of Campanelle’s sire is a phenomenal one; and he has been supervised by a family of horsemen touched by genius. But for every Kodiac (GB) or Dark Angel (Ire), commercial farms have flooded the market with a score of cheap imitations. And even the biggest fan of Kodiac–and there are now more than ever, after his staggering new exploit in hoarding three Group sprints on the final day of Ascot–will struggle to acclaim him as any kind of Classic influence.

European breeders trade gratefully on the heritage of Royal Ascot, and are duly profiting from transatlantic competition for yearlings that might have the zip to run there the following June. But American breeders should recognize that the authentic family silver of the European gene pool, which could certainly serve their broodmare bands, is housed in a different cabinet.

Certainly it would be unfortunate if Europe’s commercial toxins were now to contaminate the enduring strengths of the American Thoroughbred as well.

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