Tag: Weekend Lineup

A trio of Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In” berths are on the line this weekend at Woodbine; the three Grade 1 contests highlight the Canadian track's Super Saturday card.

Last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf winner Modern Games returns to North America and faces older rivals in the Woodbine Mile, including local defending Mile winner, a two-time Canadian Horse of the Year, three other Irish-breds and two Brazilian-breds. Meanwhile, juveniles on two-race win streaks headline the Summer and Natalma Stakes as they seek to continue their local dominance.

In New York, the 3-year-old turf stars are back in action in the Jockey Club Oaks and Jockey Club Derby at the Belmont at Aqueduct meet.

Further south, the Road to the Kentucky Derby and Road to the Kentucky Oaks kick off at Churchill Downs with the Iroquois and Pocahontas Stakes, respectively. The Iroquois features a matchup between unbeaten Damon's Mound and up-and-comer Echo Again.

Also worth noting is the $500,000 Nownownow Stakes for juveniles at Monmouth Park on Saturday, which drew a contentious field of 10 to go a mile on the turf.

Here's a quick look at some of this weekend's graded stakes:

Saturday

4:22 p.m. – Grade 1 Pattison Summer Stakes at Woodbine

Seven first-year stars, including Kevin Attard trainee Philip My Dear, take their talents to the E.P. Taylor Turf Course in Saturday's Grade 1 $500,000 Pattison Summer Stakes, part of a stakes-stacked Saturday at Woodbine.

Attard, who won the 2001 edition with El Soprano, will look to unbeaten Philip My Dear to add another Summer title to his resume. After two wins in as many starts, the dark bay has lived up to his price tag, putting together a pair of pleasing performances, including an out-of-the-clouds rally to take the 6 ½-furlong Soaring Free Stakes on August 20. 

Mysterious Night (IRE), a Godolphin homebred trained by Charlie Appleby, will look for his third win in his sixth start. Sporting a record of 2-1-2 from five starts, the son of Dark Angel (IRE)-Mistrusting (IRE) will have William Buick in the irons once again.  

Summer Stakes Entries

4:55 p.m. – Grade 3 Iroquois Stakes at Churchill Downs

The Road to the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve will begin Saturday at Churchill Downs where eight 2-year-olds, including impressive maiden winner Echo Again, were entered to face undefeated Grade 2 winner Damon's Mound in the 41st running of the $300,000 Iroquois (Grade 3).

Cliff and Michele Love's homebred Damon's Mound, the headliner in the Iroquois, is trainer Michelle Lovell's first starter in a Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifying race. The Florida-bred son of Girvin dominated in his debut at Churchill Downs on July 2 where he demolished a field of 10 rivals by 12 ½ lengths. In his second start, Lovell shipped the homebred to Saratoga where he defeated a compact field of four in the Saratoga Special (G2) by 3 ¼ lengths.

The top rival to Damon's Mound in the Iroquois is Winchell Thoroughbreds highly-touted Saratoga maiden special weight winner Echo Again. The son of former Horse of the Year Gun Runner cruised to a 6 ¾-length debut score on Aug. 20 under jockey Ricardo Santana Jr., who was filling in for regular pilot Joel Rosario.

Iroquois Entries

5:35 p.m. – Grade 1 Ricoh Woodbine Mile at Woodbine

From a Breeders' Cup victor, to a local defending Mile winner, to a two-time Canadian Horse of the Year, to four Irish-breds and two Brazilian-breds, this year's race serves up several intriguing storylines.

Godolphin's Modern Games (IRE) will be making his first appearance back in North America since his memorable Breeders' Cup triumph. Godolphin and trainer Charlie Appleby will be looking to duplicate their Woodbine success from 2021, as they hit the Pattison Canadian International, Summer and Natalma trifecta.

Owned by Bonne Chance Farm and Stud R D I, Ivar (BRZ), a two-time Breeders' Cup Mile participant, brings a record of 6-0-2 from 12 starts into the Mile. Trained by Paulo Lobo, the 6-year-old son of Agnes Gold (JPN)-May Be Now arrives at Saturday's race off a win in the $100,000 Jonathan Schuster Memorial Stakes at Horseshoe Indianapolis, posting a one-length score in the 1 1/16-mile trek, in a track-record time of 1:39.49.

Well-travelled Wakanaka (IRE), owned by Team Valor and Gary Barber, took to the E.P. Taylor Turf Course on July 24 and delivered her connections, including trainer Bill Mott, an impressive win in the Grade 2 Dance Smartly Stakes. The 4-year-old daughter of Power (GB)-Storyline (IRE) sports a record of 7-4-1 from 13 career starts.

Mighty Heart, two-time (2020-21) Canadian Horse of the Year, will look to get back to his winning ways in the Mile. Trained by Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame inductee Josie Carroll, the 5-year-old son of Dramedy-Emma's Bullseye has contested nine consecutive graded events, winning the Grade 2 Autumn last November at Woodbine. The one-eyed bay, bred and owned by Larry Cordes, is 6-2-5 from 20 starts.

A five-time winner, along with two thirds, from 12 starts, Shirl's Speight rhymed off three straight trips to the winner's circle from January 15 to April 15, capped off by a gutsy nose nod in the Grade 1 Makers Mark Mile. Under the tutelage of dual Hall of Fame trainer Roger Attfield, the 5-year-old son of Speightstown-Perfect Shirl won his debut, a 7-furlong race over the E.P. Taylor Turf Course, on July 4, 2020, by eight lengths.

Local hero Town Cruise, a 7-year-old son of Town Prize-Candy Cruise, wired last year's field in the Woodbine Mile, delivering Brandon Greer, who trains, owns, and co-bred with his father Terry, the biggest win of his career. The chestnut gelding has fashioned a record of 6-2-1 from 17 career starts. Daisuke Fukumoto, aboard for last year's 8-1 victory, gets the call on Saturday.

Woodbine Mile Entries

5:45 p.m. – Grade 3 Jockey Club Invitational at Aqueduct

Classic Causeway and Nations Pride, who have each won one leg of the Caesars Turf Triple, will square off once more in Saturday's Grade 3, $1 million Caesars Jockey Club Derby, to close out the lucrative series in the 12-furlong inner turf test for sophomores at the Belmont at the Big A fall meet.

Kentucky West Racing and Clarke M. Cooper's Kentucky homebred Classic Causeway struck first with a gate-to-wire 26-1 upset score under Julien Leparoux in the 10-furlong Grade 1 Caesars Belmont Derby on July 9 to win his turf debut by three-quarter lengths over Nations Pride.

Godolphin's Irish homebred Nations Pride, by Teofilo, turned the tables on his familiar foe last out in the 1 3/16-mile Grade 1 Caesars Saratoga Derby Invitational on August 6, stalking the early foot of Classic Causeway before pouncing to a 1 3/4-length score with William Buick in the irons. Classic Causeway settled for third, a head back of Annapolis, who exited that event to capture the Grade 3 Saranac by a geared down 5 1/2-lengths on September 3 at the Spa.

Jockey Club Entries

6:10 p.m. – Grade 1 Natalma Stakes at Woodbine

Cairo Consort, a 2-year-old daughter of Cairo Prince-Absolutely Awesome, will face seven rookie rivals in the Grade 1 $500,000 Johnnie Walker Natalma Stakes, Saturday at Woodbine. She brings a two-race win streak into the race.

On July 23, the grey, bred in Kentucky by Frankfort Park Farm, broke her maiden in what was her third start, maintaining a 1 ½-length lead at the stretch call for the milestone win at 6 ½ panels on the E.P. Taylor. One race later, on August 20, she was back in the winner's circle, this time in the Catch a Glimpse Stakes. Under Antonio Gallardo, who will be in the irons on Saturday, Cairo Consort rallied to hold a half-length advantage at the stretch call, going on to notch a 2 ½-length triumph in another 6 ½-furlong sprint over the E.P. Taylor.

Natalma Entries

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The boutique race meets of the summer will officially be over after this weekend's action: Saratoga's final day was Monday, and Del Mar's final day will be this coming Sunday.

Closing weekend at Del Mar features a pair of Grade 1 contests for 2-year-olds, the Debutante on Saturday and the Futurity on Sunday, as well as three additional stakes races over the two cards. The blockbuster Kentucky Downs meet also continues on both Saturday and Sunday, with six stakes on Saturday's card and another on Sunday.

Saturday also features big days at Pimlico, Canterbury, and Hastings Park. Pimlico's card is highlighted by the G3 BWI Turf Cup and has three additional stakes, while Canterbury's Minnesota Festival of Champions features six stakes races for state-breds. Hastings Park will host its biggest day of the year with the G3 British Columbia Derby topping the docket.

Seven “Win and You're In” races will be contested this weekend, including two from Kentucky Downs and five from Ireland – three from Leopardstown Racecourse on Saturday, and two more from the Curragh on Sunday.

Also worth noting are the third and final leg of Canada's Triple Tiara to be held at Woodbine on Sunday, and the second leg of the Canadian Triple Crown to be held at Fort Erie Racetrack on Tuesday next week.

Here's a quick look at some of this weekend's graded stakes:

Saturday

5:10 p.m. – Grade 2 FanDuel Turf Sprint at Kentucky Downs

The six-furlong FanDuel Turf Sprint drew a full field of 12 starters and three also-eligibles. The race winner will receive an invitation into the $1 million Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1). Trainer Wesley Ward, who won last year's Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint with Golden Pal, is saddling Lael Stables' 4-year-old Arrest Me Red, the 9-5 morning line favorite. A six-time winner in 10 starts, Arrest Me Red took the Twin Spires Turf Sprint (G2) in May at Churchill Downs and finished second by a half-length to Casa Creed in the Jaipur Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park on June 11, which was also a Win and You're In for the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint.

The well-traveled Sonata Stable's 4-year-old Arzak, who has raced at 11 tracks, will be making his Kentucky Downs debut on Saturday. Trained by Michael Trombetta, Arzak has won two of four starts this year, both at Woodbine in Canada, taking the black type Thornhill Stakes and the Grade 3 Jacques Cartier Stakes. He comes into the race off a fourth-place finish in the Troy Stakes (G3) at Saratoga on Aug. 5, less than a length behind winner Golden Pal.

Pantofel Stable, Wachtel Stable, and Jerry Zaro's 7-year-old gelding Chewing Gum started the year off right with a victory on Jan. 1 in the Joe Hernandez Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita Park for trainer Bill Mott. He did not race again until July 23 in the Connaught Cup Stakes (G2) at Woodbine, where he finished fourth.

Turf Sprint Entries

5:45 p.m. – Grade 2 Kentucky Turf Cup at Kentucky Downs

The remarkable 8-year-old Arklow, who has earned more than $3 million in career earnings, will be running in his fifth consecutive Kentucky Turf Cup, which gives the winner an automatic starting position into the $4 million Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (G1). Owned by Donegal Racing and Joseph Bulger, and trained by Brad Cox, Arklow won the 1 ½-mile Turf Cup in 2018 and in 2020 and finished second in 2019 and in 2021. Arklow has run in the Longines Breeders' Cup Turf three times, with his best finish being a fourth-place effort in 2018. He made his 2022 debut in the Bowling Green Stakes (G2) at Saratoga on July 31, finishing second, a half-length behind Rockemperor (IRE).

Otter Bend Stable's Gufo, the 7-5 morning line favorite, earned a free berth into the Longines Breeders' Cup Turf when he captured the Resorts World Casino Sword Dancer Stakes (G1) at Saratoga, coming from seventh place at the top of the stretch to win by a half-length. Trained by Christophe Clement, Gufo has won nine races in 19 starts, including this year's Pan American Stakes presented by Rood & Riddle (G2) at Gulfstream Park. Another veteran in the field is Paradise Farms Corp. and David Staudacher's 6-year-old gelding Temple. Trained by Mike Maker, Temple finished third, less than a length behind the winner, in the 1 3/8-mile United Nations Stakes (G1) at Monmouth Park on July 23. In March, Temple won his seventh career race, taking the Mac Diarmida Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park. Maker is also starting Trinity Farm's 6-year-old New York-bred gelding Red Knight, who won his 2022 debut after an 11-month layoff, capturing the black type 1 ½-mile Colonial Downs Stakes on July 27.

Turf Cup Entries

7:30 p.m. – Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante at Del Mar

The Debutante, which is contested at seven furlongs out of the chute on the main track, has drawn eight promising fillies for what is considered the meet's championship race for their bracket.

Not surprisingly, Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert – a specialist with young horses who has won the Debutante 10 times previously, including the last three runnings – has the race's solid favorite at 9/5 in Pegram, Watson and Weitman's Home Cooking, who'll have the saddle services of Hall of Fame rider Mike Smith. He'll also saddle Fast and Shiny, owned by the same trio.

Del Mar Debutante Entries

Sunday

8:30 p.m. – Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity at Del Mar

Nine juveniles have been entered for this seven-furlong contest on the main track, of which three are trained by Baffert, including G3 Best Pal winner Havnameltdown, the likely favorite. Baffert's other runners are recent maiden winners Newgate (Into Mischief) and Cave Rock (Arrogate), who graduated by 3 1/2 lengths and six lengths, respectively.

Best Pal runner-up Agency also enters the field for trainer Mark Glatt, as does last-out listed stakes winner and most experienced runner in the field, The Big Wam for trainer Luis Mendez.

Del Mar Futurity Entries

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A jam-packed three days of racing awaits bettors this Labor Day weekend, with five “Win and You're In” races for the Breeders' Cup World Championships topping the docket. It is also closing weekend at Saratoga, but opening weekend at the lucrative Kentucky Downs meet.

Perhaps the most exciting of those contests will be the Grade 1 Pacific Classic at Del Mar, in which the undefeated Flightline will take on a field of five for his first test over the 1 1/4-mile distance. The two-time Grade 1 winner has been installed as the 1-5 morning line favorite.

In Saratoga Springs, a field of eight line up for the G1 Jockey Club Gold Cup, including four trainees from Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher's barn: Dynamic One, Americanrevolution, Keepmeinmind, and Untreated. First Captain and Olympiad also line up in what should be a fairly well-matched bunch.

The other “Win and You're In” races are as follows: G2 Flower Bowl Saturday at Saratoga, G2 Del Mar Handicap Saturday at Del Mar, and the G3 Green Flash Handicap on Sunday at Del Mar.

Kentucky Downs' Saturday card features three stakes races, topped by the $1 million Mint Million (G3). There are two more stakes on Sunday, headed by the $750,000 Dueling Grounds Derby (G3).

Juveniles will get their chance to shine at Saratoga later on, with the fillies in the G1 Spinaway on Sunday and males in the G1 Hopeful on Monday.

Here's a quick look at some of this weekend's graded stakes:

Saturday

5:09 p.m. – Grade 2 Flower Bowl Stakes at Saratoga

The Grade 2, $600,000 Flower Bowl will feature a rematch of the top-four finishers from the G2 Glens Falls as George Krikorian's multiple Grade 1-winner War Like Goddess will attempt a second victory in Saturday's 1 3/8-mile inner turf test for older fillies and mares. Trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott, War Like Goddess is following a similar campaign to last year, arriving at the Flower Bowl once again from a win in the Glens Falls last out on Aug. 6.

The Flower Bowl is a “Win and You're In” qualifier for the Grade 1, $2 million Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf in November at Keeneland, providing the winner a berth into the 1 3/16-mile contest for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up.

Flower Bowl Entries

5:45 p.m. – Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup at Saratoga

Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher will unleash a competitive quartet for Saturday's Grade 1, $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup field, a prestigious 10-furlong test for 3-year-olds and upward offering a “Win and You're In” spot in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Classic in November at Keeneland.

Leading the Pletcher quartet is Dynamic One, who captured the G2 Suburban on July 9 at Belmont Park over returning rivals First Captain and Untreated. Reigning New York-bred Horse of the Year Americanrevolution returns to his native state for the first time since capturing the G1 Cigar Mile presented by NYRA Bets on Dec. 4, 2021, at Aqueduct Racetrack. The 4-year-old Constitution chestnut has made both of his starts this year at Churchill Downs, finishing fourth in the Blame in June off a six-month layoff and second in the Grade 2 Stephen Foster on July 2.

After a successful debut for Pletcher last out, Keepmeinmind will seek his first graded stakes victory since a maiden-breaking performance in the G2 Kentucky Jockey Club in November 2020 at Churchill Downs. Previously trained by Robertino Diodoro, the son of Laoban competed in nothing but graded stakes events last year with his best finishes taking place when third in the G3 Ohio Derby and a game second to dual champion Essential Quality in the G2 Jim Dandy at the Spa. He was beaten a half-length in both races.

Rounding out the Pletcher contingent is Untreated. While he is the only Jockey Club Gold Cup contender without a graded stakes win, the son of Nyquist came close in his last three starts, when a pacesetting third in the Suburban and finishing three-quarters of a length behind Dynamic One. He showed early speed when third in the G3 Pimlico Special on May 20 and was beaten 1 1/4 lengths.

Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey will seek his fifth Jockey Club Gold Cup victory with dual graded stakes winner First Captain. Second in the Suburban beaten a nose, the 4-year-old son of 2007-08 Jockey Club Gold Cup winner and Hall of Famer Curlin captured the G3 Pimlico Special two starts back going 1 3/16 miles under returning rider Luis Saez.

Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott will saddle four-time graded stakes winner Olympiad, who will strive to make amends following a distant fourth in the G1 Whitney on Aug. 6 at Saratoga.

Three-time graded stakes winner Tax will seek his first win at Saratoga since capturing the 2019 G2 Jim Dandy for trainer Danny Gargan. The 6-year-old gelded son of Arch made his first start in a year and a half with a wire-to-wire victory in the last out Battery Park on July 9 at Delaware Park.

Completing the field is Chess Chief for trainer Dallas Stewart, who finished a last-out third in the Alydar on Aug. 4 at Saratoga.

Jockey Club Gold Cup Entries

6:31 p.m. – Grade 3 Mint Million at Kentucky Downs

Godolphin's Pixelate heads a field of nine older horses as the 5-year-old horse returns to Kentucky Downs Saturday to defend his victory in last year's $1 million, Grade 3 WinStar Mint Million. Pixelate, who is based at trainer Michael Stidham's stable at Fair Hill Training Center in Maryland, has raced once this year, finishing third by a total of a neck in a stakes at Laurel. He ended his 4-year-old season with two close seconds in New Orleans.

8:30 p.m. – Grade 1 TVG Pacific Classic at Del Mar

Hronis Racing and partners' undefeated Flightline has been made the 1-5 favorite against five rivals in Saturday's 32nd running of the $1-million TVG Pacific Classic at Del Mar. The 4-year-old son of Tapit, an impressive winner of his four starts so far, including a pair of Grade 1 scores, drew Post 5 in the compact field. However, the Pacific Classic will be Flightline's first attempt at 1 1/4 miles; the furthest he's raced thus far has been one mile.

Those ready to give the 2022 favorite a go are Commonwealth Thoroughbreds or Winstar Farm and Zedan Racing Stables' Country Grammer (Post 2); C R K Stable's Express Train (Post 4); Jay Em Ess Stable's Extra Hope (Post 1); Fox Hill Farms and Siena Farm's Royal Ship (Post 3), and Steve Moger's Stilleto Boy (Post 6).

The TVG Pacific Classic is a Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In” race, meaning the winning horse has a guaranteed spot, with all fees paid, in the $6-million Breeders' Cup Classic, which will be held at Keeneland in Kentucky on Nov. 5.

Pacific Classic Entries

9:00 p.m. – Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap at Del Mar

Heywoods Beach and Tizamagician square off again in the G2 Del Mar Handicap, part of the excellent card on TVG Pacific Classic Day at Del Mar Saturday. But this time they'll go at it on the grass.

The two met on opening weekend in the G3 Cougar II, run on the main track at Del Mar. The two dueled throughout much of the 1 ½ mile race with Heywoods Beach coming out on top at the end and Tizamagician finishing a game second. The year before it was Tizamagician walking into the winner's circle and Heywoods Beach finishing third in the Cougar II.

The Del Mar Handicap is far from being a two-horse race. Trainer Michael McCarthy will bring his G2 Eddie Read winner Master Piece to the party.

The G2 Del Mar Handicap is also a “Win and You're In” race for the Breeders' Cup Turf.

Del Mar Handicap Entries

Sunday

5:57 p.m. – Grade 1 Spinaway Stakes at Saratoga

Naughty Gal headlines a talented field of 10 juvenile fillies in Sunday's 131st running of the Grade 1, $300,000 Spinaway, part of the Breeders' Cup Dirt Dozen qualifying incentive on the road to the Breeders' Cup in November at Keeneland, at Saratoga Race Course.

Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas will look to become the winningest trainer of the race when he saddles Naughty Gal against nine rivals, including Kaling, trained by Lukas mentee and fellow Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher, who is tied with Lukas with six Spinaway wins. Naughty Gal [post 4, Jose Ortiz] graduated impressively at second asking, taking a six-furlong maiden event by 9 1/4-lengths at Churchill Downs. The daughter of Into Mischief immediately followed by making the grade in the 6 1/2-furlong Adirondack on August 7 at the Spa, defeating third place finisher and returning rival Sabra Tuff.

Spinaway Entries

6:31 p.m. – Grade 3 Dueling Grounds Derby at Kentucky Downs

Graded-stakes winners Grand Sonata and Ready to Purrform head an overflow field for Sunday's $750,000 Big Ass Fans Dueling Grounds Derby on the third day of racing at the FanDuel Meet at Kentucky Downs. The 1 5/16-mile turf race will be run as a Grade 3 stakes for the first time.

Trainer Todd Pletcher will try to win the Dueling Grounds Derby for the third time with Whisper Hill Farm's Grand Sonata, winner of the Grade 3 Kitten's Joy and another turf stakes at Gulfstream Park over the winter. While he didn't fare well in his last start in the Saratoga Derby (G1), Grand Sonata finished fourth – losing by a total of a length at 32-1 odds — in the Belmont Derby (G1) the race before.

Donegal Racing's Ready to Purrform, trained by Brad Cox, comes into the Dueling Grounds Derby off victory in Saratoga's Grade 2 Hall of Fame Stakes.

Dueling Grounds Derby Entries

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Four Grade 1 winners will enter the eight-strong starting gate for Saturday's Midsummer Derby, the $1.25 million Travers Stakes (G1) at Saratoga. The winners of both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness, Rich Strike and Early Voting, are expected, as well as the runner-up from both of those races, Epicenter. The only dual Grade 1 winner in the field is Cyberknife, who has captured the Arkansas Derby and the Haskell this year.

Saturday's Saratoga card features four other Grade 1 races, offering top-class contenders from multiple divisions. Reigning champion Jackie's Warrior will star in the Forego, while the Personal Ensign features another matchup between exciting distaffers Clairiere, Malathaat, and Letruska. The “Win and You're In” Sword Dancer drew a solid field of 10, including international millionaire Broome for trainer Aidan O'Brien.

Friday's graded stakes action takes race fans to the West Virginia bullring at Charles Town, where Art Collector will seek a repeat victory in the $1 million Classic (G2).

On Sunday, reigning champion Ce Ce ships to Saratoga from the West Coast to take on the G1 Ballerina.

Also worth noting that Monmouth Park will offer a $200,000 stakes for 2-year-olds on Saturday, which could offer a preview at talent for future graded stakes races.

Here's a quick look at some of this weekend's graded stakes:

Friday

10:18 p.m. – Grade 2 Charles Town Classic

Art Collector returns to Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races on Friday night as he looks to defend his crown in the track's marquee event of 2022 – the $1,000,000 Charles Town Classic (G2). Art Collector will look to replicate the path he took to West Virginia's eastern panhandle in 2021 when he also captured the Alydar Stakes at Saratoga prior to his run in the Classic. Unlike last year, Art Collector came into the 2022 Alydar off a lengthy layoff following his trip to the Middle East and the $20 million Saudi Cup but didn't disappoint with a dominating effort that could have signaled a return to his 2021 form that saw him capture the Charles Town Classic and Grade 1 Woodward.

Charles Town Classic Entries

Saturday

1:55 p.m. – Grade 1 Forego Stakes at Saratoga

Reigning Champion Sprinter Jackie's Warrior, who raced his way into history last month, will continue his assault on the Saratoga Race Course record books when he goes for a sixth career stakes victory over a track where he is undefeated in Saturday's Grade 1, $600,000 Forego.

Jackie's Warrior won as he pleased in the six-furlong Alfred G. Vanderbilt July 30, a two-length triumph that made him the first horse in Saratoga's 154-year history to win a Grade 1 race for three consecutive years following the Hopeful in 2020 and H. Allen Jerkens in a memorable 2021 throwdown with Life Is Good.

Forego Entries

3:52 p.m. – Grade 1 Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes at Saratoga

Jack Christopher, who suffered his first loss last out in the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational on July 23 at Monmouth Park, will return to the sprint distance in search of a third Grade 1 triumph in Saturday's $500,000 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial.

Trainer Chad Brown will also saddle maiden winner Accretive, who nearly defeated Gunite last out in the Grade 2 Amsterdam on July 31 at the Spa. The gelded son of Practical Joke was an impressive winner on debut by 5 3/4 lengths sprinting 6 1/2 furlongs on June 26 at Belmont. He followed with a gutsy neck loss in the Amsterdam after closing from 3 1/2 lengths off the pace and coming up just shy to earn a 101 Beyer.

Gunite returns to the scene of his Grade 1 Hopeful victory in search of another top-level score for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen. A son of Winchell-owned and Asmussen-trained 2017 Horse of the Year Gun Runner, Gunite returned to graded form with gusto last time out in the Grade 2 Amsterdam, earning a neck victory over the aforementioned Accretive in the 6 1/2-furlong sprint.

Allen Jerkens Entries

4:32 p.m. – Grade 1 Personal Ensign Stakes at Saratoga

This spring, multiple Grade 1-winner Clairiere was an underdog when facing reigning Champion 3-Year-Old Filly Malathaat, never having finished ahead of her in four matchups last year. Now, Clairiere has gotten the better of her familiar rival twice and will look to do so once again in Saturday's Personal Ensign. Trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, Clairiere arrives from a strong victory over Malathaat in the Grade 2 Shuvee on July 24 at the Spa.

Clairiere's abilities will be tested once again in the Personal Ensign as she faces a loaded field that includes two champions. In addition to the aforementioned Malathaat, she'll face the reigning Champion Older Dirt Female Letruska, who was the quick pacesetter in the Ogden Phipps and faded to be a well-beaten fifth-of-5.

Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher is hopeful Shadwell Stable's Malathaat will bounce back from a disappointing runner-up effort behind Clairiere in the Grade 2 Shuvee last out. The day of the Shuvee was particularly hot and humid, which Pletcher blames for the dullness Malathaat showed in the paddock and while warming up for the race. She broke well under Hall of Fame rider John Velazquez, but settled in third-of-4 before making a mild run down the stretch and coming up 1 1/2 lengths shy.

This year, Letruska boasts wins in the Grade 3 Royal Delta at Gulfstream and a repeat win in the Apple Blossom, an effort in which she bested Clairiere by 1 1/4 lengths. Letruska has been training strongly at Churchill Downs leading up to the Personal Ensign, posting four bullet works since July 10 and breezing one mile in 1:40.80 on August 4 at the Louisville oval. Her latest move was a half-mile in 48 seconds flat on August 19.

Personal Ensign Entries

5:05 p.m. – Grade 1 Sword Dancer Stakes at Saratoga

Internationally acclaimed trainer Aidan O'Brien will be represented by Group 1-winning millionaire Broome in the Sword Dancer. The 6-year-old Australia bay has made three starts this season led by a 3 1/4-length score in the 12-furlong Group 2 Hardwicke on good-to-firm ground in June at Ascot. He enters from a prominent fourth in the Group 1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth at 12 furlongs on July 23 at Ascot.

Gufo posted a neck score over the O'Brien-trained Japan in last year's Sword Dancer for conditioner Christophe Clement. The multiple Grade 1-winning 5-year-old son of Declaration of War, who captured the 2020 Grade 1 Belmont Derby Invitational, boasts a ledger of 18-8-3-5 for purse earnings in excess of $1.5 million. He has made four starts this season, including a win in the Grade 2 Pan American in April at Gulfstream Park ahead of a runner-up effort to Highland Chief in the Grade 1 Man o' War in May at Belmont Park. Last out, the Kentucky-bred chestnut closed to finish fifth in the Grade 1 United Nations on July 23 at Monmouth Park, defeated 2 1/2-lengths by returning rival Adhamo.

Channel Maker will make his fifth Sword Dancer appearance which includes a win in 2020 en route to Champion Turf Male honors. The 8-year-old English Channel gelding has amassed earnings in excess of $3.6 million through a record of 46-9-6-5. His other Grade 1 wins came at Belmont Park in the 2018 and 2020 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational and the 2019 Man o' War. Channel Maker has won 2-of-3 starts this season, taking the Grade 2 Elkhorn in April at Keeneland and the Grand Couturier by a neck over Soldier Rising last out on July 8 at Belmont Park.

Chad Brown will saddle a trio of contenders in Adhamo [post 1, Flavien Prat, 124 pounds], Rockemperor [post 5, Irad Ortiz, Jr., 122 pounds] and Tribhuvan [post 7, Manny Franco, 124 pounds].

Sword Dancer Entries

5:44 p.m. – Grade 1 Travers Stakes at Saratoga

Three-time graded stakes winner Epicenter leads a competitive group of eight in this year's Travers, including four Grade 1 winners. Epicenter enters from a victory in the Grade 2 Jim Dandy on July 30 and will attempt to become the 12th horse to sweep the Jim Dandy-Travers double. One of five millionaires in the field, Epicenter boasts field-best earnings of $2,270,639 and a record of 9-5-3-0.

Chad Brown will unleash three contenders in Grade 1 Preakness winner Early Voting [post 7, Jose Ortiz, 8-1], Grade 1 Blue Grass winner Zandon [post 8, Flavien Prat, 5-1] and rising star Artorius [post 5, Irad Ortiz, Jr., 9-2]. 

Reigning Eclipse Award-winning trainer Brad Cox will try for a second straight Travers with Cyberknife, who is the only two-time Grade 1-winner in the race. The son of Gun Runner was a last out-winner of the G1 Haskell on July 23 at Monmouth Park against fellow Grade 1-winners Taiba and Jack Christopher. The last horse to capture both the Haskell and Travers was Point Given in 2001. 

Rich Strike will seek his first win since his memorable 80-1 upset victory in the Kentucky Derby for trainer Eric Reed. The son of Keen Ice, who upset Triple Crown winner American Pharoah in the 2015 Travers, skipped the Preakness in favor of the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets on June 11, where he finished a distant sixth. The last Kentucky Derby winner to capture the Travers was 2007 winner Street Sense. 

Gilded Age is only horse in the field without a stakes victory, but arrives off a late-closing second to Artorius in the Curlin for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott. 

Completing the field is Iowa-bred Ain't Life Grand for trainer Kelly Von Hemel. The son of Not This Time owns five lifetime wins in eight starts, including wins against his Hawkeye State-bred counterparts in last year's Iowa Cradle and the last out Iowa Stallion on July 23, both at Prairie Meadows. He also defeated open company in the July 9 Iowa Derby as well as last year's Richard Radke Memorial at the Altoona, Iowa oval. 

Travers Entries

9:00 p.m. – Grade 2 Pat O'Brien Stakes at Del Mar

Speaker's Corner, a 4-year-old colt by Street Sense who has been shipped west from Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott's barn at Saratoga for the test, comes into the feature with a stellar record that shows six wins, two seconds and two thirds in 11 starts for earnings of $722,130. He's been hooking into some of the best horses in the country of late – namely Flightline and Life Is Good – and though the O'Brien is hardly a soft spot, it surely will be an easier one for the homebred bay.

Sunday

5:39 p.m. – Grade 1 Ballerina Stakes At Saratoga

Now a 6-year-old, Ce Ce won last year's G2 Princess Rooney at Gulfstream Park to earn a berth in the Breeders' Cup, then ran third behind Gamine in the Ballerina before reeling off wins in the G3 Chillingworth at Santa Anita and G1 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint at Del Mar, beating Gamine to unseat her as North America's top female sprinter. Impressive as she was winning last year's Princess Rooney, Ce Ce was even more so last month in a 6 1/2-length romp July 2 that matched her career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 101. It was the 10th win from 20 lifetime starts for the daughter of Elusive Quality to go along with nearly $2.3 million in purse earnings.

Lady Rocket will be chasing her fifth career stakes win, third in graded company and first in a Grade 1 in the Ballerina. The front-running 5-year-old mare exits a gate-to-wire 2 3/4-length triumph in the G3 Chicago June 25 at Churchill Downs under Ricardo Santana Jr., who returns to ride from post position 4 at 120 pounds.

Bella Sofia is looking to bounce back in the Ballerina after running third as the favorite in the Grade 2 Honorable Miss July 27. The 4-year-old Awesome Patriot filly won the G1 Longines Test last summer at Saratoga and began this year with victories in the G3 Vagrancy Handicap May 14 and G2 Bed o' Roses June 10, both at Belmont.

Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott entered the trio of Caramel Swirl, Obligatory and Travel Column, and Chad Brown trainee Midnight Olive is the final entrant in the seven-horse field.

Ballerina Entries

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