Weekend Lineup | Horse Racing Free Tips

Weekend Lineup Presented By NYRA Bets: Fillies Take The Spotlight At The Spa

The undefeated Kentucky Oaks-winning filly Malathaat returns to the track this Saturday at Saratoga to contest the Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks; the Todd Pletcher-trained daughter of Curlin scared off all but three competitors in the nine-furlong contest. The G3 Caress is also carded for Saturday at the Spa, with New York-bred Robin Sparkles attempting to keep her win streak alive against a field of six.

Saratoga's graded stakes action kicks off on Friday afternoon with the G3 Lake George Stakes, in which trainer Chad Brown will saddle four of the nine starters. Interestingly, Centre Court, the dam of Lake George contender Navratilova (named for the famous tennis player), won the 2012 Lake George for trainer Rusty Arnold, who sends out Navratilova.

On the opposite coast, Saturday's Del Mar action features a graded stakes doubleheader on the turf, with the G2 Eddie Read and G2 San Clemente sharing the spotlight. Seven rivals line up in the Eddie Read, including G1 winner Smooth Like Strait and multiple G2 winner United, while a full field of 12 sophomore fillies will face off in the San Clemente.

The New York Racing Association Inc. (NYRA) will host a Cross Country Pick 5 on Saturday featuring action from historic Saratoga Race Course as well as stakes competition from Woodbine Racetrack and Monmouth Park.

Here's a quick snapshot of this weekend's graded stakes schedule (all times Eastern):

3:23 p.m. – $500,000 Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks at Saratoga

Malathaat has proven herself more than capable in her five career starts thus far, able to both draw away from her competition and prevail in an absolute dogfight to the wire. The 3-year-old Curlin filly easily moved to the top of her division after out-battling Search Results in the Kentucky Oaks, after which trainer Todd Pletcher gave her a nice two-month break before bringing her back for this 1 1/8-mile contest.

The CCA Oaks drew just three competitors for Malathaat, the most accomplished of which is Clairiere for trainer Steve Asmussen. Another daughter of Curlin, this Stonestreet homebred ran fourth behind the favorite in the Kentucky Oaks and returned to run third in the G2 Mother Goose at Belmont last month, beaten 1 1/4 lengths after stumbling badly at the start.

Maracuja ran second in the G2 Gazelle to earn her way into the run for the lilies, but could do no better than seventh behind Malathaat on that day. The Rob Atras trainee will be making her first start since the Kentucky Oaks.

The field is completed by longshot Rockpaperscissors for trainer Rodolphe Brisset, a last-out allowance winner by 9 3/4 lengths at Indiana Grand. The Distorted Humor filly has reason to improve in her second start off a nine-month layoff, but will have to improve a lot to be competitive with this bunch.

CCA Oaks Entries

6:13 p.m. – $200,000 Grade 3 Caress Stakes at Saratoga

After taking on and defeating open company last out, New York-bred Robin Sparkles returns with an attempt to step up her game to the graded stakes level in the Caress. Trained by Bruce Brown, the 4-year-old daughter of Elusive Quality is riding a two-race win streak and has not finished worse than second in her last eight starts.

The second choice on the morning line is Elizabeth M. Merryman's Caravel, a four-time stakes winner also riding a two-race win streak ahead of the Caress. Coming from off-the-pace is her game, but the inside post position may be a factor as the front-running Robin Sparkles has drawn immediately to her outside in post two.

Caress Entries

8:30 p.m. – $250,000 Grade 2 Eddie Read Stakes at Del Mar

Morning-line favorite Smooth Like Strait won the G1 Shoemaker Mile last out, but will need to stretch his speed another furlong against the older, longer-winded United to capture this Saturday's Eddie Read Stakes. The nine furlongs appeared just outside his scope when Smooth Like Strait was run down late in the G1 Turf Classic at Churchill Downs, but the form of that race's dead-heat winner Domestic Spending has certainly been nothing to downplay.

United won the 1 1/2-mile G3 San Luis Rey to kick off his 2021 campaign, but was a very dull fourth and last as the favorite last time out in the G2 Charles Whittingham Stakes. If anyone knows how to turn United's form around, however, it's his trainer Richard Mandella, and a sharp five-furlong work in 58 4/5 seconds on July 18 indicates the 6-year-old should be ready for this contest.

Trainer Phil D'Amato will enter a pair of Ontario-breds in Say the Word and Count Again. The former ran second behind Smooth Like Strait in the Shoemaker last out and was gaining late, so the extra furlong will be to his benefit in the Eddie Read. Count Again ran fourth behind Smooth Like Strait (third) in the Turf Classic, and will need to improve another length to beat that rival over the same distance here.

Eddie Read Entries

9:30 p.m. – $200,000 Grade 2 San Clemente Stakes at Del Mar

Going Global has done nothing but win since her move stateside, and is the heavy favorite in this one-mile turf contest for 3-year-old fillies.

Closing Remarks has been the closest to the favorite in several of her efforts this year. She clipped heels at the start of the G3 Providencia last out and showed grit by coming six-wide from well off the pace to finish third. Another step forward after that effort could put her nearer the level of Going Global.

San Clemente Entries

Here is a snapshot of the other weekend graded stakes in North America, courtesy of NTRA:

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Weekend Lineup Presented By NYRA Bets: Get The Summer Party Started

It's the kind of weekend horseplayers clamor for. They've got Saturday's Diana, the first Grade 1 race of the Saratoga meeting that opened on Thursday. Out west at Del Mar, following Friday's opening day program, the graded stakes action kicks into gear on Saturday with the G2 San Diego Handicap, an important prep for the seaside track's signature race, the G1 Pacific Classic.

And down on the Jersey Shore is a big 14-race extravaganza that includes six stakes, five of them graded, highlighted by the G1 Haskell Stakes for 3-year-olds and the G1 United Nations for older turf runners. That card gets under way at noon ET.

The New York Racing Association, in partnership with Monmouth Park, is offering a $0.20 all-stakes pick 6 wager that includes four graded stakes from the Oceanport, N.J., track and two from Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

So let's get this spectacular weekend summer party started (all times Eastern).

6:16 p.m. ―$500,000 Grade 1 Diana Stakes at Saratoga on FOX

The $500,000 Diana, the anchor leg of the all-stakes pick 6, is scheduled for 6:16 p.m. and can be viewed on the Fox network. It's drawn a field of eight fillies and mares going 1 1/8 miles on turf and includes Althiqa and Summer Romance from Godolphin trainer Charles Appleby's stable, the 1-2 finishers in the G1 Just A Game Stakes at Belmont on June 5. Althiqa, who won the Just A Game under Mike Smith at 7-1 odds, will have a new pilot on Saturday, Manny Franco, with Smith riding at Del Mar.

Summer Romance, who led the way into deep stretch in that race under Luis Saez, could find herself on the front end again in the Diana as the race does not have a lot of pace in the lineup.

Chad Brown has won the Diana the last five years and has a pair including Irish-bred 5-2 morning line favorite Lemista, second to Harvey's Lil Goil in her U.S. debut in the G3 Beaugay on May 8.The Raven's Pass filly was a Group 2 winner in Ireland last year. Irad Ortiz Jr. will be aboard.

The aforementioned Harvey's Lil Goil from Bill Mott's barn came out of her Beaugay win to run fifth on yielding turf in the 1 1/4-mile New York Stakes June 4. She was a G1 winner against 3-year-old fillies last year in the Queen Elizabeth II at Keeneland. Regular rider Junior Alvarado will be back aboard.

The second Chad Brown runner Pocket Square, Brendan Walsh-trained La Signare, Magic Attitude from Arnaud Delacour's barn and Shug McGaughey-trained Vigilantes Way round out the field.

Diana entries

5:40 p.m. ― $150,000 Grade 3 Sanford Stakes at Saratoga on FOX

Saratoga's G3 Sanford attracted a dozen 2-year-olds and features nine debut winners making their second starts in the six-furlong dash.

Included in that group is Todd Pletcher-trained Wit, a Practical Joke colt who drew off to win by six lengths in his first outing at Belmont June 5 under Irad Ortiz Jr., who rides him back. Off slowly in that race, Wit drew the rail post in the Sanford, not an ideal post with such a large field.

Wesley Ward-trained Headline Report, a son of Gormley, graduated at first asking at Keeneland April 23, winning by 2 1/4 lengths going 4 1/2 furlongs while racing on or near the lead throughout. John Velazquez, aboard that day, gets back aboard.

Sanford Stakes Entries

9:30 p.m. ―$250,000 Grade 2 San Diego Handicap at Del Mar on TVG

Royal Ship, the 9-5 morning line favorite in Del Mar's San Diego Handicap (post time 9:30 p.m. ET), is the lone Grade/Group 1 winner in the field of nine older runners, having won a G1 in his native Brazil. That was the Midshipman gelding's fifth consecutive victory and last before being imported into the U.S. and joining the Richard Mandella barn.

Royal Ship comes off a narrow loss to Country Grammer in the G1 Hollywood Gold Cup at Santa Anita on May 31. Mike Smith, who has piloted Royal Ship in all six of his U.S. starts, will ride.

John Shirreffs-trained Express Train was third to Country Grammer but he just might be a horse for the course, having won two of his three starts at Del Mar, with one second. The Union Rags colt was a close second to Idol after leading into the stretch of the G1 Santa Anita Handicap on March 6. He previously won the G2 San Pasqual at Santa Anita.
G2 winners Rushie, Kiss Today Goodbye and Magic on Tap cannot be discounted.

San Diego Handicap entries

5:47 p.m. ―$1 million TVG.com Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park on NBC

The G1 TVG.com Haskell (post time 5:47 p.m. and broadcast on NBC beginning at 5 p.m. ET as a part of the Breeders' Cup Win and You're In Challenge Series) has the runners-up in each of the three Triple Crown races: Mandaloun, second to Medina Spirit in the G1 Kentucky Derby; Midnight Bourbon, second to Rombauer in the G1 Preakness; and Hot Rod Charlie, second to Essential Quality in the G1 Belmont Stakes.

A fourth horse in the lineup, the Runhappy colt Following Sea, figures to be the one they all have to catch as he stretches out from a front-end sprint allowance victory at Belmont Park on June 3. Trained by Bob Baffert in his first two starts, Following Sea is now in Todd Pletcher's New York stable.

Haskell Stakes entries

Here is a snapshot of the other weekend graded stakes in North America, courtesy of NTRA:

Friday, July 16

5:29 p.m. ―$150,000 Grade 3 Forbidden Apple Stakes at Saratoga on FS2

Trainer Chad Brown holds a strong hand with three starters in the Grade 3 Forbidden Apple for 4-year-olds and up going one mile on turf, led by Klaravich Stables' 5-year-old ridgling Value Proposition (GB) and Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables, Wonder Stables and Michael J. Caruso's 6-year-old Sacred Life (FR). Value Proposition, ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr. from post 3, has won four of eight starts, including a last-out victory on June 6 at Belmont, taking a one-mile optional allowance claiming race by 1 ¼ lengths. Sacred Life is seeking his first graded-stakes win since coming to the U.S. from France in 2019. Ridden from post 3 by Joel Rosario, this year Sacred Life finished third in the Grade 1 Maker's Mark Mile at Keeneland on April 9, and as the 6-5 favorite, came eight wide in the stretch and finished fourth in Pimlico's Grade 2 Dinner Party Stakes on May 15. Brown's third starter Dubb, Nice Guy Stables and Caruso's 5-year-old Delaware (GB) won the listed Danger's Hour Stakes at Aqueduct on April 10. Jose Ortiz has the mount from post 7. The 5-year-old New York-bred gelding Rinaldi, trained by Jim Bond, won last year's listed West Point Stakes against state-breds at Saratoga. Rinaldi finished second in the Danger's Hour. He will be ridden by Luis Saez from post 1.

Forbidden Apple Entries

9 p.m. ―$100,000 Runhappy Oceanside Stakes at Del Mar on TVG

The “Turf Meets The Surf” for its 82nd race meeting Frfiday at picturesque Del Mar, and the traditional opening-day feature is the Runhappy Oceanside Stakes for 3-year-olds. The one-mile turf race has a full field of 12 starters. Sterling Racing's Whatmakessammyrun is the 7-2 morning line favorite off back-to-back scores at Santa Anita in an optional allowance claiming race on May 2 and a 3 ¾-length win in the listed Desert Code Stakes on June 6. Trained by Mark Glatt, Whatmakessammyrun will be ridden by Flavien Prat from post 11. Exline-Border, SAF Racing, Stonestreet Stables and Richard Hausman's Dream Shake, trained by Peter Eurton, will be trying the turf for the first time after five starts on the main track. After breaking his maiden at Santa Anita in a race featuring the much-hyped Bezos in February, Dream Shake had consecutive third-place finishes in the Grade 2 San Felipe and the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby. He made a valiant stretch drive in the Grade 2 Pat Day Mile at Churchill Downs on May 1, losing by just a head to Jackie's Warrior. Dream Shake finished fourth in his next start, the seven-furlong, Grade 1 Woody Stephens at Belmont Park on June 5. Joe Bravo has the mount from post 5.

Oceanside Stakes Entries

Saturday, July 17

1:52 p.m. – $150,000 Grade 3 WinStar Matchmaker Stakes at Monmouth Park on TVG

Juddmonte's Juliet Foxtrot leads the field of seven fillies and mares going 1 1/8 miles in the Grade 3 Matchmaker Stakes. Juliet Foxtrot, trained by Brad Cox, has won four graded stakes, including the Grade 1 Coolmore Jenny Wiley at Keeneland on April 10. She went off at 1-2 in the Grade 3 Old Forester Mint Julep at Churchill Downs on June 12, and had a clear lead at the sixteenth pole before being passed by Mintd, and wound up finishing second by a half-length. Juliet Foxtrot will be ridden by Tyler Gaffalione from post 5. Four starters in the Matchmaker are trained by Chad Brown, led by defending champion Nay Lady Nay, who is owned by First Row Partners and Hidden Brook Farm. Ridden by Paco Lopez from post 6, Nay Lady Nay, winless in two starts this year, finished sixth in her last start, the Grade 3 Eatontown over the Monmouth course on June 20. Klaravich Stables' Counterparty Risk (IRE), third in the Eatontown, won the Grade 3 Lambholm South Endeavour Stakes in February for Brown. Nik Suarez rides from post 3. Repole Stable's 5-year-old Always Shopping, trained by Todd Pletcher, won the Grade 3 La Prevoyante at Gulfstream in January. Florent Geroux has the mount breaking from post 1.

Matchmaker Stakes Entries

3:29 p.m. ― $300,000 Grade 3 Monmouth Cup Stakes at Monmouth Park on TVG

Leading the seven-horse field for Grade 3, 1 1/8-mile Monmouth Cup is John Fanelli, Cash is King, LC Racing, Paul Braverman and Team Hanley's NY Traffic, who came within a nose of reaching future Horse of the Year Authentic at the wire in last year's Grade 1 Haskell Stakes. That was the highpoint of 2020 for the Saffie Joseph Jr.-trained son of Cross Traffic. Afterward, NY Traffic finished eighth in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby and ninth in the Grade 1 Preakness Stakes. This year, NY Traffic won an allowance optional claiming race at Belmont Park on May 2, and finished second by a length to 79-1 Informative in Monmouth's Grade 3 Salvator Mile on June 12. Tyler Gaffalione has the mount from post 4. St. Elias Stables 4-year-old Dr. Post, third in last year's Haskell, won the Grade 3 Westchester at Belmont Park on May 1. Joel Rosario rides Dr. Post from post 5. The most impressive recent winner entered in the Monmouth Cup is Winchell Thoroughbreds and Willis Horton Racing's New York-bred Bank It, who drew off to a 13 ¼-length romp in the black type, 1-mile Commentator Stakes at Belmont Park on May 31 for trainer Steve Asmussen. Now a six-time winner, Bank It will be ridden by Paco Lopez from post 7.

Monmouth Cup Entries

4:38 p.m. ― $250,000 Grade 3 Molly Pitcher Stakes at Monmouth Park on TVG

Kueber Racing, Barlar, Madaket Stables and Little Red Feather Racing's Pennsylvania-bred Vault disappointed as the 3-1 second choice in last year's Grade 3 Molly Pitcher Stakes, finishing sixth. In this year's renewal at 1 1/16 miles for fillies and mares, Vault, trained by Brad Cox, faces six rivals. Ridden from post 3 by Tyler Gaffalione, Vault won the Grade 2 Ruffian at Belmont Park on May 2 before finishing sixth in the Grade 2 Fleur de Lis at Churchill Downs. E.V. Racing Stables' 4-year-old Water Whitefinished second to Vault in the Ruffian by 1 3/4 lengths, but trailed five rivals last time out in the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps. Trained by Rudy Rodriquez, Water White will be ridden by Hector Diaz Jr. from post 7. Joseph Allen's 4-year-old Mrs. Danvers won last year's Grade 3 Comely Stakes at Aqueduct, and this year, finished second in the Top Flight Stakes. Trained by Hall of Famer Shug McGaughey, Mrs. Danvers will be ridden by Paco Lopez from post 2.

Molly Pitcher Stakes Entries

5:12 p.m. ―$500,000 Grade 1 United Nations Stakes at Monmouth Park on NBC

The 7-year-old Arklow, a five-time graded-stakes winner, leads a 10-horse field as the 8-5 morning line favorite in the Grade 1, $500,000 United Nations Stakes at 1 3/8 miles on the turf. Owned by Donegal Racing, Joseph Bulger and the Estate of Peter Coneway, and trained by Brad Cox, Arklow finished fourth in last year's United Nations as the 8-5 favorite. He was sixth the Grade 1 Longines Breeders' Cup Turf at Keeneland, but rebounded to win the Grade 2 Hollywood Turf Cup Stakes at Del Mar on Nov. 27. Arklow made a successful 2021 debut on May 15, winning the Grade 3, 1 ½-mile Louisville Stakes at Churchill Downs. Arklow will be ridden by Florent Geroux from post 1. Trainer Chad Brown has three starters in the race, headed by Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables, Wonder Stables and Michael J. Caruso's 5-year-old Tribhuvan (FR), who finished second in the Grade 1 Resorts World Casino Manhattan Stakes on June 5. Flavien Prat has the mount from post 10. Waterford Stable's Winters Back, trained by Todd Pletcher, finished second in the 1 1/8-mile Grade 3 Monmouth Stakes on June 5. David Cohen rides from post 6.

United Nations Stakes Entries

6:03 p.m. ―$100,000 Grade 3 Arlington Stakes at Arlington Park on TVG

Michael Hui's 7-year-old gelding Zulu Alpha, a 12-time winner, is the one to beat making his seasonal debut in the Grade 3 Arlington Park Stakes on turf against seven rivals, headlining Million Preview Day. Trained by Mike Maker, Zulu Alpha, winner of the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Turf at Gulfstream Park in January 2020, went on to capture two Grade 2 races in the MacDiarmida, also at Gulfstream, and the TVG Elkhorn Stakes at Keeneland. Unfortunately, a leg injury in September following a third-place finish in the Grade 3 Calumet Farm Kentucky Turf Cup put a stop on the rest of his season. David Cabrera has the mount from post 2. Lothenbach Stables' Captivating Moon won the Grade 3 Fair Grounds Stakes in February for trainer Chris Block, but has finished out of the money in his last four starts, including a fourth-place finish over the Arlington surface in the listed Hanshin Cup Stakes at 1 mile on June 26. Declan Carroll has the mount from post 8.

Arlington Stakes Entries

7:11 p.m. ―$100,000 Grade 3 Modesty Stakes at Arlington Park on TVG

Twelve fillies and mares have been entered in the Grade 3 Modesty going 1 1/16 miles on turf and La Nora's 6-year-old mare Joy Epifora (ARG) is the 7-2 morning line favorite. Trained by Ignacio Correas IV, Joy Epifora finished second in a 1 1/8-mile optional allowance claiming race at Churchill Downs in her last start on June 13. After winning two races in France last year, Hunter Valley Farm, Debra O'Connor and Marc Detampel's Family Way had a second-place finish in an allowance race at Keeneland in April, and then won a 1 1/8-mile optional allowance claiming race at Churchill Downs on May 21. Adam Beschizza will ride, breaking from post 7. Ballybrit Stable's 6-year-old Illinois homebred Bramble Queen, a nine-time winner, makes her second start of the year for trainer Michael Dini. In her 2021 debut on May 23 at Belmont Park, Bramble Queen finished fifth in a 1 1/16-mile allowance optional claiming race.

Modesty Stakes Entries

Sunday, July 18

4:17 p.m. ―$150,000 Grade 2 Connaught Cup Stakes at Woodbine on TVG

Stronach Stables' Ontario-bred Silent Poet is the defending champion of the Grade 2 Connaught Cup, facing eight rivals at 7 furlongs on turf. Trained by Nicholas Gonzalez, the 6-year-old gelding has won 10 races in 20 starts, including last year's Grade 2 Nearctic Stakes. Justin Stein has the mount from post 2. Tracy Farmer's 5-year-old gelding Chuck Willis (IRE), a winner of four in a row, figures to be one of the favorites. Trained by Mark Casse, Chuck Willis has won three races at Woodbine, including a wire-to-wire score in a 1-mile handicap on May 31. Kazushi Kimura has the mount from post 8. Ivan Dalos's Ontario-bred Avie's Flatter has won five races, including his 2021 debut, taking a 7-furlong allowance optional claiming race at Woodbine by 5 1/4 lengths on June 3. Trained by Josie Carroll, the 5-year-old Avie's Flatter finished second in the 2019 Queen's Plate. He will be ridden by Luis Contreras from post 1.

Connaught Cup Etnries

9:30 p.m.― $100,000 Grade 3 Cougar II Stakes at Del Mar on TVG.

Little Red Feather Racing, Gordon Jacobsen and Philip Belmonte's 7-year-old Red King, winner of last year's Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap, returns to Del Mar for Sunday's Grade 3, 1 ½-mile Cougar II Stakes in a field of six older horses. Trained by Phil D'Amato, Red King upset multiple graded stakes winner United in the Del Mar Handicap. This year, the son of English Channel has had two third place finishes at Santa Anita in the Grade 2 Charles Whittingham and in the Grade 3 San Juan Capistrano. Umberto Rispoli has the mount from post 4. My Racehorse and Spendthrift Farm's 4-year-old Tizamagician won the Grade 3, 1 ½-mile Tokyo City Handicap at Santa Anita by nine lengths on April 18 for trainer Richard Mandella. Tizamagician returns to California following a second-place finish in the Grade 2, 1 ½-mile Brooklyn Stakes at Belmont Park on June 5. He will be ridden by Flavien Prat from post 6.

Cougar II Stakes Entries

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Weekend Lineup: International Challengers Take On Belmont Turf

There will be seven graded stakes races this weekend at Woodbine, Delaware Park, and at Belmont Park, which closes out its spring/summer meeting with two Grade 1 turf races as European and American 3-year-olds compete in the Belmont Oaks and Belmont Derby Invitationals. Races are listed in chronological order (all times Eastern).

TVG will be broadcasting racing throughout the weekend from Delaware Park, Gulfstream Park, Monmouth Park, Woodbine and more. Fans can tune in on TVG, TVG2 and the Watch TVG app, which is available on Amazon Fire, Roku and connected Apple TV devices.

“America's Day at the Races” will be broadcasting live on Saturday, July 10 on FS1 from 1-3 p.m., and on FS2 from 3-5:30 p.m. from Belmont. On Sunday, July 11, “America's Day at the Races” will be live on FS2 from 12:30-4 p.m., and on FS1 from 4-5 p.m.

Saturday, July 10

3:15 p.m. ― $150,000 Grade 3 Robert G. Dick Memorial at Delaware Park on TVG

Godolphin's Micheline looks to return to her winning ways leading a field of nine fillies and mares at Delaware Park in the Grade 3 Robert G. Dick Memorial on turf. Trained by Mike Stidham and ridden from post 4 by Joe Bravo, Micheline won the Grade 2 Hillsborough at Tampa Bay Downs in March, but finished sixth in the Grade 1 Coolmore Jenny Wiley at Keeneland in April, and 10th last out in Monmouth's Grade 3 Eatontown on June 20, failing to launch a serious bid. Pocket Aces Racing's 5-year-old Temple City Terror defeated Bal Mar Equine's Dalika (GER) by three-quarters of a length in the black type Keertana Stakes at Churchill Downs on May 22, reversing the order of finish from the listed Albert M. Stall Memorial at the Fair Grounds on Feb. 13 when Dalika prevailed by 1 length. Trained by Brendan Walsh, Temple City Terror, a 5-year-old daughter of Temple City, will be ridden by Florent Geroux from post 5. Dalika, a six-time winner, is trained by Al Stall Jr., and will be ridden by Miguel Mena from post 8.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/DEL071021USA5-EQB.html

4:06 p.m. ― $700,000 Grade 1 Belmont Oaks at Belmont Park on FS2

Trainer Aidan O'Brien has sent over Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith and Westerberg's Santa Barbara (IRE) from his base in Ireland, leading a European challenge of Nazuna (IRE) from England, and Cirona (GB) from France, among eight 3-year-old fillies in the Grade 1 Belmont Oaks Invitational Stakes at 1 ¼ miles on turf. The even-money morning line favorite, Santa Barbara, ridden by Ryan Moore from post 5, just missed winning the Group 1 Al Wasmiyah Pretty Polly Stakes at The Curragh on June 27, losing a furious stretch-drive battle to 4-year-old Thundering Nights (IRE) by a neck. Hanako Varian's Nazuna, trained by Roger Varian, returns to the U.S. where she finished 10th in last year's Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. In her lone start this year, Nazuna, a daughter of Kodiak (GB), finished second in the Grade 2 Princess Elizabeth Stakes at Epsom on June 5. John Velazquez will ride from post 6. Bradley Thoroughbreds, Tim Cambron, Anna Cambron, Kent Starr, Sara Starr and Gary Finder's Cirona won the Group 3 Prix de la Grotte Stakes at ParisLongchamp on April 18. She lost a heartbreaker in the Group 1 Saxon Warrior Coolmore Prix Saint-Alary at Longchamp, headed in the final yards. Cirona is trained in by Christophe Ferland, but will be turned over to Chad Brown following this race. Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Joseph F. Graffeo, Del Toro, Eric Nikolaus, and Troy Johnson's Con Lima, and Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables and Michael Caruso's Plum Ali, the 1-2 finishers in the Grade 3, 1 1/8-mile Wonder Again Stakes at Belmont on June 3, are back again. Texas-bred Con Lima, trained by Todd Pletcher, is four of six this year, while the Christophe Clement-trained Plum Ali is seeking her first win of 2021. She captured the Grade 2 Miss Grillo at Belmont in 2020.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/BEL071021USA-EQB.html#RACE7

4:21 p.m. ―$150,000 Grade 3 Selene Stakes at Woodbine on TVG

Three-year-old fillies are in the spotlight on Woodbine's all-weather surface Saturday in the Grade 3, 1 1/16-mile Selene Stakes. Trainer Mark Casse, a Hall of Famer in both Canada and the U.S., has entered three of the seven starters: Gary Barber's California Lily, Live Oak Plantation's Florida-bred Our Flash Drive and D.J. Stable's Danger. California Lily, ridden by Rafael Hernandez from post 2, finished third by less than a length in Woodbine's Grade 3 Star Shoot Stakes on June 19. Our Flash Drive (Patrick Husbands, post 3) was a 3 ¾-length maiden winner earlier on the June 19 Woodbine card. Danger (Emma-Jayne Wilson, post 6) is making her first start since breaking her maiden at Turfway Park last December. William T. Harrigan's Gote Go is the 2-1 morning line favorite off a solid 2-length score in a 1 1/16-mile allowance turf race at Churchill Downs on June 5 for trainer Roger Attfield. Steven Bahen has the mount from post 1.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/WO071021CAN7-EQB.html

4:38 p.m. ―$150,000 Grade 3 Victory Ride at Belmont Park on FS2

Magnifico Stable and Hubert Guy's Louisiana-bred Australasia, unbeaten in six starts, leads a field of 3-year-old fillies going 6 ½ furlongs in the Grade 3 Victory Ride. Trained by Brad Cox, Australasia faces seven runners in her first graded stakes try. After four wins against state breds, Australasia won an allowance optional claimer at Churchill Downs by two lengths on April 30, and the listed 6-furlong Jersey Girl Stakes by 1 length over Bella Sofia at Belmont on June 6. Joel Rosario has the mount from post 7. Michael Imperio, Vincent Scuderi, Sofia Soares, Gabrielle Farm, Mazel Stable Partners, and Matthew Mercurio's Bella Sofia will be making just her third start. Trained by Rudy Rodriguez, Bella Sofia blew away the field when breaking her maiden at 6 furlongs by 11 ¼ lengths at Belmont on May 6 prior to the Jersey Girl. Manny Franco has the mount from post 1. Team D and Madaket Stables' Miss Brazil, third in the Jersey Girl, has won three of six starts for trainer Anthony Dutrow. Jose Ortiz will ride Miss Brazil from post 3.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/BEL071021USA8-EQB.html

5:12 p.m. ―$1 million Grade 1 Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes at Belmont Park on FS2

Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith and Westerberg's Bolshoi Ballet leads nine runners in Saturday's 1 ¼-mile Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes on the turf for 3-year-olds. Trained by Aidan O'Brien, Bolshoi Ballet, a son of Galileo (IRE), has won two of three starts this year, including the Group 3 Ballysax Stakes on April 11 at Leopardstown. However, he followed up that performance with a disappointing seventh-place finish, with no surge in the final furlong, as the 7-5 favorite in the Group? 1 Kazoo Derby at Epsom on June 5. Ryan Moore will ride from post 2. From France comes Teruya Yoshida's Tokyo Gold (FR), a winner of three of six starts, including a four-length score in the Group 2 Derby Italiano Universita' Campus Bio-Medico di Roma (Italian Derby) at Capannelle in Rome on May 23. Trained by Satoshi Kobayashi, Tokyo Gold will be ridden by John Velazquez from post 7. The Bill Mott-trained Du Jour won the Grade 2, 1 1/16-mile American Turf presented by Derby City Gaming on May 1 at Churchill Downs for his third straight win this year. Owned by Natalie Baffert and Debbie Lanni, Du Jour will break from post 5 under Flavien Prat. Robert LaPenta, Augustin Stable and Madaket Stables' Hard Love is two for two this year, including a 1 1/8-mile allowance optional claiming win on June 5 at Belmont for trainer Jonathan Thomas. Manny Franco has the mount from post 6.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/BEL071021USA9-EQB.html

5:15 p.m. ―$400,000 Grade 2 Delaware Handicap at Delaware Park on TVG

A field of seven is set for Saturday's Grade 2 Delaware Handicap for older fillies and mares going 1 ¼ miles. Juddmonte's 4-year-old Bonny South, trained by Brad Cox, has been first or second in her last five starts, which includes a victory in Keeneland's Grade 3 Doubledogdare Stakes on April 16, and a second-place finish to Letruska, the No. 1 rated horse in the weekly NTRA National Thoroughbred Poll, in the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps at Belmont on June 5. Florent Geroux has the mount from post 5. Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. has entered the 5-year-old Queen Nekia (Sheldon Russell, post 2) and the 4-year-old Gibberish (Trevor McCarthy, post 1). Florida-bred Queen Nekia has won 10 races, including the Grade 3 Royal Delta at Gulfstream Park in February. Queen Nekia finished fourth in the Ogden Phipps. e Five Racing Thoroughbreds' Gibberish, a four-time winner, finished second in the listed Lady's Secret Stakes at Monmouth Park last time out on June 6. Miracle International Trading's Dream Marie, trained by Matthew Wiliams and ridden by Joe Bravo from post 3, won the listed 1 1/16-mile Obeah Stakes at Delaware by 1 ¾-lengths over Cammarota Racing's Miss Marissa by 1 ¾ lengths. Miss Marissa, trained by Jim Ryerson, will be ridden from post 6 by Daniel Centano.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/DEL071021USA9-EQB.html

Sunday, July 11

4:24 p.m. ― $150,000 Grade 3 Marine Stakes at Woodbine on TVG

San-Som Farm's Canadian homebred Tidal Forces is two for two this year leading six runners in a wide-open field of 3-year-olds in the 1 1/16-mile Marine Stakes on the all-weather surface at Woodbine. Trained by Gail Cox and ridden from post 1 by Emma-Jayne Wilson, Tidal Forces came from off the pace to score by a half-length in a 1 1/16-mile optional allowance claiming race at Woodbine on June 19. Breeze Easy Stable's Easy Time is making his first start since Feb. 12, when he finishing second in an optional allowance claiming race at Gulfstream Park by a neck for trainer Mark Casse. Rafael Hernandez has the mount from post 3. Casse is also starting Gary Barber's Frosted Over, who broke his maiden at 7 furlongs at Woodbine on June 20. Kazushi Kimura rides from post 2.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/WO071121CAN7-EQB.html

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Weekend Lineup: Churchill Closes Out Spring Meet With Pair Of Breeders’ Cup Challenge Races

Nine graded stakes will be contested in North America on Saturday. Churchill Downs closes its spring meeting with a card of seven stakes races featuring the Grade 2 Fleur de Lis for fillies and mares, led by Letruska, and Grade 2 Stephen Foster for older horses, headlined by Maxfield. Winners of both races earn automatic starting berths into the Grade 1 Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff and the Grade 1 Longines Breeders' Cup Classic, respectively.

Thistledown hosts the Grade 3 Ohio Derby for 3-year-olds, and Grade 1 Steeplechase action will take place outside Nashville with the Calvin Houghland Iroquois Stakes. Races are listed in chronological order (all times Eastern). Full previews, when available, can be found through the link for each race.

TVG will be broadcasting racing throughout the weekend from Monmouth Park and Gulfstream Park, and more. Fans can tune in on TVG, TVG2 and the Watch TVG app, which is available on Amazon Fire, Roku and connected Apple TV devices.

“America's Day at the Races” will be broadcasting live on Saturday, June 26 on FS2 from 12:30-6:30 p.m., and on SNY from 5-6:30 p.m., from Belmont Park and Churchill Downs. On Sunday, June 27, America's Day at the Races will be live on FS2 from 12:30-5:30 p.m., and on SNY from 5-5:30 p.m.

Saturday, June 26

2:45 p.m. ― $300,000 Grade 2 Fleur de Lis at Churchill Downs on FS2

Five fillies and mares are challenging two-time Grade 1 winner Letruska in the Grade 2, $300,000 Fleur de Lis at 1 1/8 miles, “Win and You're In” for the Grade 1 Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff at Del Mar. St. George Stable's 5-year-old Letruska gained a national reputation after defeating Monomoy Girl, the reigning older female dirt champion, in Oaklawn's Grade 1 Apple Blossom in April. She collared her second Grade 1 by taking the Ogden Phipps at Belmont on June 5, and secured an automatic berth into the Breeders' Cup Distaff. Trained by Fausto Gutierrez, Letruska will break from post 6 under Jose Ortiz. Walking Thoroughbreds and Three Chimneys Farms' 4-year-old Envoutante, trained by Ken McPeek, finished just a length behind Shedaresthedevil in the Grade 1 La Troienne on April 30, came back and won the listed Shawnee Stakes over the Churchill strip on May 29. Brian Hernandez Jr. has the call from post 4. Robert and Lawana Low's 4-year-old Spice Is Nice won the Grade 3 Allaire DuPont Match Series Stakes on May 14 for Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher. She will break from post 5 under Hall of Famer John Velazquez.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/CD062621USA5-EQB.html

4:30 p.m. – $100,000 Grade 3 Trillium Stakes at Woodbine on TVG

Live Oak Plantation's Souper Escape is the defending champion and 2-1 morning line favorite in an eight-horse field of fillies and mares for the Grade 3 Trillium Stakes going 1 1/16 miles on Woodbine's all-weather track. A Florida homebred by Medaglia d'Oro, trained by Michael Trombetta, Souper Escape, making her 2021 debut, has won six races. She took the Grade 3 Seaway at Woodbine last August following his frontrunning 4 ½-length win in the Trillium. Luis Contreras has the mount from post 2. Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse has entered three runners in Heavenly Curlin, Skygaze and Crystal Glacier. Heavenly Curlin, ridden by Emma-Jane Wilson from post 8, is two for two at Woodbine, including last year's Grade 3 Maple Leaf Stakes.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/WO062621CAN7-EQB.html

4:40 p.m.―$250,000 Grade 2 Mother Goose at Belmont Park on FS2 and SNY

A 9 ¾-length romp in just her second start has made Three Chimneys Farm's Always Carina the even-money morning line favorite for the Grade 2, 1 1/16-mile Mother Goose for 3-year-old fillies at Belmont. Trained by Chad Brown, Always Carina broke her maiden at Aqueduct in March and then dominated an optional allowance claiming race at 1 mile on May 10. The bay daughter of Malibu Moon will be ridden from post 2 by Flavien Prat. Stonestreet Stables' Clairiere, trained by Steve Asmussen and ridden from post 3 by Irad Ortiz Jr., won the Grade 2 Rachel Alexandra at the Fair Grounds in February, and will try to get back into the winner's circle after a second-place finish in the Grade 2 Fair Grounds Oaks and a fourth in the Grade 1 Longines Kentucky Oaks. Gary Barber's Make Mischief has won three of six this year and is looking to break through with her first stakes win following a third-place finish in the Grade 1 Acorn on June 5 at Belmont.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/BEL062621USA8-EQB.html

4:55 p.m. ― $150,000 Grade 3 Bashford Manor Stakes at Churchill Downs on FS2

A field of 11, including one filly, is set for North America's first graded stakes race of the year for 2-year-olds in the 120th Bashford Manor Stakes, a Grade 3 event run at 6 furlongs at Churchill Downs. Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen has won the Bashford Manor a record six times. On Saturday, he sends out Winchell Thoroughbreds Red Run, a chestnut son Gun Runner, who Asmussen trained to the 2017 Horse of the Year title. On May 9 at Churchill, Red Run took the lead in the stretch of a 5-furlong maiden race and won by 1 ¾ lengths. Ricardo Santana Jr. will ride, breaking from post 9. Asmussen has also entered Willis Horton Racing's Canadian-bred Lansdowne, who on May 22 went to the front early in a 5-furlongs maiden race at Churchill and won by 1 ½ lengths. The gray/roan son of Grade 1 Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver will be ridden by Jon Court from post 2. Another gray entered is Robert Masterson's Glacial, a son of Frosted, trained by Norm Casse, who broke his maiden May 29 on debut by 2 ½ lengths in a 5 ½-furlong race at Churchill. Joe Talamo has the mount breaking from post 4. The lone filly is John, Ken and Ennis Dodsworth's Shesgotattitude, a daughter of Tiznow, trained by John Ennis. Shesgotattitude broke her maiden against fillies on April 8 at Keeneland and then finished fourth against males in the Kentucky Juvenile Stakes at Churchill on April 28. James Graham will ride from post 11.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/CD062621USA9-EQB.html

5:04 p.m. ―$500,000 Grade 3 Ohio Derby at Thistledown on TVG

A wide-open field of 11 3-year-olds has been entered for the Grade 3, 1 1/8-mile Ohio Derby at Thistledown, with the Todd Pletcher-trained Promise Keeper the 7-2 morning line favorite. Owned by Woodford Thoroughbreds, WinStar Farm and Rock Ridge Racing, Promise Keeper, a son of Constitution, has won three of five starts, including his last out in the Grade 3 Peter Pan at Belmont Park on May 8. Luis Saez has the mount from post 1. Fern Circle Stables and Three Chimneys Farm's King Fury is making his first start since winning Keeneland's Grade 3 Stonestreet Lexington Stakes by 2 ¾ lengths at 18-1 on April 10. The chestnut son of Curlin, trained by Kenny McPeek, will be ridden by Corey Lanerie from post 4. Cypress Creek Equine, Arnold Bennewith and Spendthrift Farm's Keepmeinmind, trained by Robert Diodoro, won last year's Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club. This year, the son of the late Laoban finished seventh in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve and fourth in the Grade 1 Preakness. David Cohen has the mount from post 8. Godolphin's Proxy, trained by Mike Stidham, finished second in the Grade 2 Risen Star at the Fair Grounds in March. Joe Bravo will ride the son of Tapit from post 9.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/TDN062621USA9-EQB.html

5:26 p.m. ― $300,000 Grade 2 Wise Dan Stakes at Churchill Downs on FS2

Skychai Racing and Sand Dollar Stable's 5-year-old New York-bred Somelikeithotbrown, a two-time Grade 2 winner, and Juddmonte's Set Piece (GB), lead a 10-horse field in the Grade 2, $300,000 Wise Dan Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on the Churchill turf course. Trained by Mike Maker and ridden from post 3 by Jose Ortiz, Somelikeithotbrown scored a 1-length victory in the Grade 2, 1 1/16-mile Dinner Party Stakes at Pimlico on May 15. The bay son of Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown has won seven races, including last year's Grade 2 Bernard Baruch at Saratoga. The Brad Cox-trained 5-year-old gelding Set Piece has taken a liking to the Churchill turf course this spring with black type wins in the Opening Verse on April 29 and the Douglas Park on May 29. Florent Geroux has the mount from post 1. Maker has also entered Three Diamonds Farm's Maryland-bred 4-year-old Field Pass, fourth in the Grade 1 Maker's Mark Mile at Keeneland on April 9, but trailed a field of eight in the Grade 1 Man o' War at Belmont on May 8. Ricardo Santana Jr. rides from post 8. John Oxley and My Meadowview Farm's 6-year-old Ride a Comet won the Grade 3 Tropical Turf Stakes at Gulfstream Park in January and was second in the Maker's Mark Mile. A bay son of Candy Ride (ARG), Tyler Gaffalione has the mount on Ride a Comet from post 7.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/CD062621USA10-EQB.html

5:30 p.m. ― $100,000 Grade 1 Calvin Houghland Iroquois Stakes at Percy Warner Park on NSA.com

Riding an eight-race winning streak, Bruton Street's 7-year-old gelding Snap Decision leads a seven-horse field of Steeplechase runners in the 80th running of the Grade 1, 2 ¾-mile Calvin Houghland Iroquois Stakes over hurdles at Percy Warner Park outside of Nashville, Tennessee. Snap Decision, trained by Jack Fisher and ridden Graham Watters, romped by 9 ½ lengths in the Grade 2 Temple Gwathmey Stakes at Middleburg, Virginia, in his seasonal debut, defeating Irvin Naylor's Amschel (GB), Hudson River Farm's Galway Kid (IRE), and Sonny Via's Footpad (FR), all of whom are entered in the Iroquois. Footpad, also trained by Fisher, and ridden by Sean McDermott, has won 11 of 27 races and more than $900,000. Galway Kid is exiting a hard-fought neck victory in the Grade 3 David Semmes Memorial hurdle stakes (Grade 3) at the Virginia Gold Cup Races, in which Naylor's 8-year-old gelding Bedrock finished third.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/PW062621USA7-EQB.html

5:59 p.m. – $600,000 Grade 2 Stephen Foster at Churchill Downs on FS2

Godolphin's 4-year-old Maxfield, a winner in six of seven starts, leads nine horses entered in the $600,000 Grade 2 Stephen Foster going 1 1/8 miles at Churchill Downs. Returning twice from setbacks over the course of two years in which he won his first six starts ― including victories in the Grade 1 Claiborne Breeders' Futurity and the Grade 3 Mineshaft Stakes ― Maxfield suffered his first defeat when finishing third in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap in March. However, the dark bay son of Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense rebounded on April 30 with a sharp 3 ¼-length victory in Churchill's Grade 2 Alysheba Stakes. Jose Ortiz will ride Maxfield from post 8. Tom Durant's 7-year-old gelding Silver Dust, has won seven races for trainer Bret Calhoun, including the April 10 Grade 2 Ben Ali at Keeneland. Adam Beschizza has the mount from post 4. The Estate of James J. Coleman Jr.'s Virginia-bred Chess Chief, third in the Alysheba Stakes, won the Grade 2 New Orleans Classic Stakes at the Fair Grounds in March. Trained by Dallas Stewart, Chess Chief will be ridden by John Velazquez from post 1. The Stephen Foster winner will gain an automatic berth into the Grade 1 Longines Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/CD062621USA11-EQB.html

7:13 p.m. ― $100,000 Grade 3 Chicago Stakes at Arlington Park on TVG

Full of Fun Racing and Madaket Stables' Dreamalildreamofyou leads 11 fillies and mares entered in Arlington's 7-furlong Grade 3 Chicago Stakes. A 4-year-old daughter of Commissioner, trained by Brad Cox, Dreamalildramofyou has won four of nine starts, and was recently second in the Grade 3, 1 1/8-mile Allaire DuPont Distaff Match Series Stakes at Pimlico on May 14. Fernando De La Cruz rides from post 11. Michael and Katherine Ball's Club Car, trained by Ben Colebrook, won an optional allowance claiming race at Keeneland on April 11 and then finished third in Pimlico's listed 6-furlong Skipat Stakes on May 15. Club Car will be ridden by Chris Emigh from post 6.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/AP062621USA8-EQB.html

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