Weekend Lineup | Horse Racing Free Tips

Weekend Lineup: Charles Town Classic, ‘Win And You’re In’ Sword Dancer

Saratoga Race Course will play host to four graded stakes on its 11-race card Saturday, highlighted by the Grade 1, $500,000 Sword Dancer Stakes, a “Win and You're In” qualifier to the Breeders' Cup Turf in November at Keeneland. Also featured will be the Grade 1 Forego Stakes at seven furlongs on the main track for older sprinters; the Grade 2 Amsterdam at six furlongs for sophomore sprinters; and the Grade 3 Saranac at one mile on the inner turf for 3-year-olds.

The Sword Dancer is one of two Breeders' Cup Challenge Series “Win and You're In” races on tap for August 29 as the Pat O'Brien Stakes at Del Mar is an automatic qualifier for the Breeders' Cup Sprint. The Sword Dancer will be shown on NYRA's “Saratoga Live” telecast on FS2. Saturday's Pat O'Brien Stakes will be televised live on TVG as part of their comprehensive coverage of racing at Del Mar.

Saratoga Live will present daily television coverage of the 40-day summer meet on FOX Sports and MSG Networks. For the complete Saratoga Live broadcast schedule, and additional programming information, visit https://www.nyra.com/saratoga/racing/tv-schedule.

Friday August 28

5:46 p.m.—$100,000 Grade 3 Lake George Stakes at Saratoga Race Course on FS2

Robert and Lawana Low's Sweet Melania will attempt to keep her consistent record intact when she headlines Friday's 25th running of the Lake George for 3-year-old fillies going one mile over the inner turf. Trained by Todd Pletcher, Sweet Melania arrives at the Lake George off an easy wire-to-wire victory in the Grade 3 Wonder Again at Belmont Park, which she won off a nearly eight-month. The American Pharoah chestnut began her career on the main track but made her third career start a winning one when debuting on grass over the Spa's inner turf last July. Sweet Melania followed up with a runner-up effort in the P.G. Johnson at Saratoga before a victory in the Grade 2 Jessamine at Keeneland. She completed her juvenile campaign by running third in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Santa Anita.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/SAR082820USA9-EQB.html

9:43 p.m.—$200,000 Grade 3 Charles Town Oaks at Charles Town on TVG

Multiple graded stakes-winner Tonalist's Shape heads up a field of 10 in the Charles Town Oaks, one of seven stakes on the card. Trained by Saffie Joseph, Jr., Tonalist's Shape won her first five career starts, including the Grade 3 Forward Gal and Grade 2 Davona Dale Stakes earlier this year. The daughter of Tonalist most recently finished fourth in the Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks at Saratoga on July 18.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/CT082820USA10-EQB.html

10:18 p.m.—$600,000 Grade 2 Charles Town Classic at Charles Town on TVG

Grade 1 winner Math Wizard aims to secure his first victory since taking the 2019 Pennsylvania Derby when he faces nine challengers in the 1 1/8-miles Charles Town Classic. Math Wizard ran second last time out in the Grade 3 Monmouth Cup Stakes, his best finish since his breakout triumph in the Pennsylvania Derby.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/CT082820USA11-EQB.html

Saturday August 29

2:18 p.m.—$100,000 Grade 3 Saranac Stakes at Saratoga Race Course on FS2

Daniel M. Ryan's Vanzzy has proven capable of winning over any surface thrown his way and will try to build off a recent turf stakes victory in the Saranac, a one-mile test for sophomores over the inner turf. Trained by Michael Pino, the bay son of Verrazano was a last-out winner of the Jersey Derby on July 26 at Monmouth Park, which he won by 3 ½ lengths over the firm turf. Vanzzy began his career over the main track, graduating at second asking going one mile on October 14 at Parx, before winning the Display over the all-weather surface two months later at Woodbine.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/SAR082920USA3-EQB.html

2:29 p.m.—$150,000 Grade 3 Eatontown Stakes at Monmouth Park on TVG

In a turf race that features three from Chad Brown's powerhouse stable and one trained by Todd Pletcher, Kelly Breen will take his best shot with his classy Jersey-bred Valedictorian. With Breen's hope that she may be the lone speed, Valedictorian will look to get back on track in Eatontown Stakes, the feature on Monmouth Park's 14-race card. She won the race a year ago, one of 12 career victories that have helped her to $737,115 in lifetime earnings.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/MTH082920USA5-EQB.html

4:17 p.m.—$125,000 Grade 3 Ontario Colleen Stakes at Woodbine on TVG

Saratoga Vision, a 3-year-old daughter of Court Vision, will look to record a couple of firsts in Saturday's Ontario Colleen, part of Woodbine's 10-race card. Owned and trained by Alexander Patykewich, the Kentucky-bred would notch her first stakes crown with a victory in the one-mile turf Ontario Colleen while also breaking her maiden in what will be her 13th start. Bred by Charles Fipke, Saratoga Vision has a pair of seconds and a trio of thirds from 12 starts, including a strong runner-up showing in her latest effort, the Grade 3 Selene Stakes on July 25 at Woodbine.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/WO082920CAN7-EQB.html

4:32 p.m.—$150,000 Grade 2 Amsterdam Stakes at Saratoga Race Course on FS2

Jackpot Farm's Basin is entered in a sprint for the first time since his juvenile campaign, making his first start for trainer Todd Pletcher in headlining a six-horse field in the Amsterdam Stakes. Under Hall of Fame conditioner Steve Asmussen, Basin started the year on the Triple Crown trail, running third in the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes to start his 3-year-old campaign in March at Oaklawn Park. He again ran on a sloppy and sealed track next out, running fourth in the Oaklawn Stakes in April. Keeping at the two-turn 1 1/8-mile distance, Basin won his second career Grade 1 in a division of the Arkansas Derby on May 2, crossing the wire second, six lengths back of Charlatan, who was later disqualified from purse money.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/SAR082920USA7-EQB.html

5:07 p.m.—$300,000 Grade 1 Forego Stakes at Saratoga Race Course on FS2

Veteran war horse Whitmore will face off against three other Grade 1 winners in Saturday's 41st running of the Forego Stakes. Boasting a record of 35-14-11-3 and lifetime earnings of over $3.1 million, Whitmore will attempt to join Groovy (1986-87) and Quick Call (1988-89) as the only horses to win multiple editions of the Forego. A winner of the 2018 Forego over subsequent Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile and Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup winner City of Light, Whitmore boasts six graded stakes victories. Whitmore arrives at the race off a runner-up finish to Volatile in the Grade 1 Alfred G. Vanderbilt on July 25 at the Spa.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/SAR082920USA8-EQB.html

5:43 p.m.—$500,000 Grade 1 Sword Dancer Stakes at Saratoga Race Course on FS2

Trainer Mike Maker will saddle a trio of top contenders, led by New York-bred Cross Border, who will look to win his third race of the 2020 Saratoga Race Course summer meet in Saturday's Sword Dancer. Bred in the Empire State by Berkshire Stud and B. D. Gibbs, Cross Border is a perfect 5-for-5 at Saratoga. His Saratoga domination continued on July 22 when 6 ¼-lengths the best in the 1 1/16-mile Lubash for state-breds, and despite being wheeled back on just 10 days rest, Cross Border crossed the wire second in the Grade 2 Bowling Green and was elevated to first following the disqualification of Sadler's Joy for lugging in.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/SAR082920USA9-EQB.html

9:38 p.m.—$150,000 Grade 2 Pat O'Brien Stakes at Del Mar on TVG

Flagstaff is a lovely, little town in the mountains of Northern Arizona. Flagstaff is also a very fast racehorse who could be tough to beat at Del Mar Saturday afternoon in the 35th running of the Pat O'Brien Stakes. Flagstaff, a 6-year-old gelding by Speighstown, didn't make it to the races until his 4-year-old season and only shows 13 starts in total. Five of them have been wins, though – the last two coming in stakes at the O'Brien's seven-furlong distance – and he sports earnings that read $485,785.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/DMR082920USA10-EQB.html

Sunday August 30

5:46 p.m.—$125,000 Grade 3 Shuvee Stakes at Saratoga Race Course on FS1

The top-three finishers of the Summer Colony earlier this month will each take a step up in class on Sunday, with Nonna Madeline looking for a second straight win as part of a nine-horse field of older fillies and mares in the Shuvee Stakes. One of three entrants for trainer Todd Pletcher, Nonna Madeline won her first career stakes in the 1 1/8-mile Summer Colony on August 5, posting a 1 ¼-length score over a fast track. Running at the same distance in the 44th running of the Shuvee, the 4-year-old daughter of Candy Ride (ARG) enters having run first or second in her last three starts.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/SAR083020USA9-EQB.html

The post Weekend Lineup: Charles Town Classic, ‘Win And You’re In’ Sword Dancer appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Weekend Lineup: Pacific Classic, Fourstardave Highlight Racing Action

Three Breeders' Cup Challenge Series “Win and You're In” races are on tap for August 22 at Saratoga and Del Mar. The Pacific Classic at Del Mar is an automatic qualifier for the Breeders' Cup Classic, while the Del Mar Handicap offers a fees-paid entry to the Breeders' Cup Turf. At Saratoga, the Fourstardave Handicap is a “Win and You're In” qualifier for the Breeders' Cup Mile.

The Pacific Classic and Del Mar Handicap will both be televised live on TVG as part of their comprehensive coverage of racing at Del Mar. In addition to Del Mar, TVG will also be broadcasting racing from Gulfstream Park, Monmouth Park, Golden Gate and more all weekend.

The Fourstardave will be shown on NYRA's “Saratoga Live” telecast on FS2. “Saratoga Live” will be shown on either FS1 or FS2 through Sunday. For the complete “Saratoga Live” broadcast schedule, and additional programming information, visit https://www.nyra.com/saratoga/racing/tv-schedule.

Friday August 21

9:07 p.m.—$100,000 Grade 3 Rancho Bernardo Handicap at Del Mar on TVG

K M N Racing's Sneaking Out, a 4-year-old filly with a strong resume, a Hall of Fame trainer and Del Mar's leading rider set to climb on board, is a solid favorite for the 49th edition of the Rancho Bernardo Handicap. Sneaking Out has been first or second in nine of her 11 starts. She's won a pair of stakes, most recently capturing the Grade 2 Great Lady M. Stakes at Los Alamitos to push her bankroll to $431,441.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/DMR082120USA9-EQB.html

Saturday August 22

2:29 p.m.—$200,000 Grade 3 Philip H. Iselin Stakes at Monmouth Park on TVG

Warrior's Charge, fourth in the Grade 1 Met Mile in his last start and a close-up fourth in the 2019 Preakness Stakes, heads a compact field of six for the 85th edition of the Iselin, the feature on a 14-race card. A 4-year-old son of Munnings, Warrior's Charge launched his 2020 campaign with a win in the Grade 3 Razorback at Oaklawn on February. 17. He followed that by finishing second in the Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap before being beaten just two lengths in the Met Mile at Belmont Park on July 4 in his last start.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/MTH082220USA5-EQB.html

5:46 p.m.—$400,000 Grade 1 Fourstardave Handicap at Saratoga Race Course on FS2

Gary Barber's Got Stormy will take on reigning champion turf female Uni (GB) as she looks to defend her title in the 36th running of the Fourstardave at Saratoga Race Course. Trained by Mark Casse, Got Stormy will seek to become the first back-to-back winner of the Fourstardave since two-time Horse of the Year Wise Dan scored back to back victories in 2012-13 and will look to end a streak of four straight losses. Eclipse Award-winner Uni, one of four runners for trainer Chad Brown along with Raging Bull (FR), Valid Point and Without Parole (GB), will attempt to replicate her form from last year when making her second start of 2020. Uni, who was third in last year's Fourstardave, rounded out the trifecta as the favorite in her seasonal bow in the Grade 1 Just a Game on June 27 at Belmont Park, where she finished 3 ½ lengths behind stablemate Newspaperofrecord.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/SAR082220USA9-EQB.html

6:05 p.m.—$100,000 Grade 3 Green Flash Handicap at Del Mar on TVG

The Green Flash Handicap leads off a banner day of racing at Del Mar offering five stakes worth a total of more than $1-million. Topweighted in the Green Flash at 123 pounds – and the morning line favorite at 5-2 – is Del Secco DCS Racing's Sparky Ville, a multiple-stakes winning Candy Ride (ARG) gelding who already has a win at the session on the five-panel layout that he'll run on Saturday. Mike Smith rode the 4-year-old to a photo-finish tally on July 26 and has the call back Saturday. Jeff Bonde trains the chestnut Kentucky-bred who can claim purse earnings of $321,312.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/DMR082220USA3-EQB.html

6:36 p.m.—$100,000 Grade 3 Torrey Pines Stakes at Del Mar on TVG

Seven 3-year-old fillies will match strides at in the 43rd edition of the Torrey Pines Stakes. Topping the group in the one-mile testing will be Bamford or Tabor's Uncle Mo filly Harvest Moon. The bay Kentucky-bred, who races out of the barn of trainer Simon Callaghan, has only started three times and never run versus stakes competition, but appears to have found a spot right in her wheelhouse in the Torrey Pines.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/DMR082220USA4-EQB.html

8:06 p.m.—$200,000 Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap at Del Mar on TVG

L N J Foxwoods' United will strut his stuff in the oldest stakes on the shore oval's roster, which is also a “Win and You're In” program that grants its winner a guaranteed entry with fees paid in the $4 million Breeders' Cup Turf. United, who has banked $1,253,549 during a career that has seen him win six of 14 starts including a three-for-three run in stakes this year, scored most recently in the Grade 2 Eddie Read Stakes at Del Mar on July 26.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/DMR082220USA7-EQB.html

9:06 p.m.—$250,000 Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks at Del Mar on TVG

Eleven 3-year-old fillies will test their mettle over nine furlongs on the Del Mar turf course Saturday in the Del Mar Oaks. The likely favorite in the highly sought lawn test is Gary Barber's Laura's Light, a daughter of Constitution who has won five of her seven lifetime starts, including a last-out tally in one-mile Del Mar's San Clemente Stakes on grass July 25.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/DMR082220USA9-EQB.html

9:36 p.m.—$500,000 Grade 1 Pacific Classic Stakes at Del Mar on TVG

Champion Maximum Security, the fourth-ranked horse on the latest NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll, headlines the track's marquee event – the Pacific Classic. The son of New Year's Day, bred by owners Gary and Mary West, who have added partners to his ownership group in Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith, will take on five rivals in the mile and a quarter for 3-year-old and up and he'll have Abel Cedillo in the irons. Cedillo rode the bay to a hard-fought nose victory in the San Diego Handicap here on July 25 in his first start in five months and first under the care of trainer Bob Baffert. The 4-year-old carried topweight of 127 pounds that day but, under the weight-for-age conditions of the “Classic,” he – and all the other runners – will go postward with 124 pounds Saturday.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/DMR082220USA10-EQB.html

Sunday August 23

5:18 p.m.—$500,000 Grade 1 Diana Stakes at Saratoga Race Course on FS1

Trainer Chad Brown will enter Sunday's Diana at Saratoga Race Course loaded for bear, saddling two former Breeders' Cup winners in Rushing Fall and Sistercharlie (IRE) as he looks to win the race for a fifth consecutive year. Sistercharlie has captured the last two runnings for Brown and will look to achieve a three-peat in headlining the six-horse field. The now 6-year-old daughter of Myboycharlie (IRE) won the 2018 Eclipse Award as champion turf female for a campaign that included her first Diana victory as well as scores in that year's Grade 1 Jenny Wiley, Grade 1 Beverly D. and Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf. Sistercharlie's stablemate, Rushing Fall, is a five-time Grade 1 winner, including last out when she outkicked Jolie Olimpica by three-quarters of a length to repeat in the Jenny Wiley on July 11 at Keeneland. The winner of the 2017 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf is already Grade 1-winner at ages 2, 3, 4 and 5, including the 2018 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup at Keeneland.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/SAR082320USA8-EQB.html

9 p.m.—$150,000 Grade 2 Del Mar Mile Handicap at Del Mar on TVG

Grade 1 winner Mo Forza makes just his second start of 2020 when he heads up a field of 11 in the Del Mar Mile Handicap. Trained by Peter Miller, Mo Forza concluded his 2019 campaign with four straight victories, including a triumph at Del Mar in the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby. The son of Uncle Mo has not started since running ninth in the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational Stakes at Gulfstream Park on January 25.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/DMR082320USA9-EQB.html

The post Weekend Lineup: Pacific Classic, Fourstardave Highlight Racing Action appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Weekend Lineup: Derby Points On The Line In Loaded Travers, Ellis Park Derby

Though it occupies an earlier spot than usual on the calendar, the Grade 1, $1 million Travers Stakes succeeded in luring the top sophomore in training as the race will be headlined by Belmont Stakes winner Tiz the Law, the current No. 1 ranked horse on the NTRA Top Three-Year-Old Poll. The 151st running of the Travers will be one of five graded stakes on the day at historic Saratoga Race Course.

For the second consecutive year, the Travers Stakes will be televised live on the FOX broadcast network as part of a 1 ½ hour telecast from 5-6:30 PM ET on Saturday. An expanded Travers Day edition of Saratoga Live will air nationally on FS1 beginning at 11:30 AM ET. Coverage and analysis of the day's races then shifts to FS2 beginning at 3:00 PM ET and continues throughout the afternoon on FS1/FS2.

TVG will be live on site at racetracks across the country covering a loaded weekend of racing that includes graded stakes races from Del Mar and the Ellis Park Derby, a prep race for the Kentucky Derby in September.

Friday August 7

5:46 p.m.—$150,000 Grade 2 Saratoga Special Stakes at Saratoga Race Course on FS2

A field of 11 juveniles will look to make their star turn in Friday's 114th running of the Grade 2, $150,000 Saratoga Special going six furlongs over the main track. Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen will attempt five victories in the Saratoga Special when saddling Cazadero, who is the lone starter in the field with a graded stakes triumph. Owned and bred by Barbara Banke's Stonestreet Stables, the bay son of Street Sense won the Grade 3 Bashford Manor on June 27 at Churchill Downs in his most recent start, which came after an 8 ¾-length romp on debut at the Louisville oval.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/SAR080720USA9-EQB.html

8:39 p.m.—$150,000 Grade 2 Sorrento Stakes at Del Mar on TVG

In what appears to be a wide-open edition of the Sorrento Stakes at Del Mar, six fillies will face off in a six-furlong tussle that will reward the one home first with a nice payday, a chunk of black type and a leg up toward the meet's top prize for 2-year-old distaff runners — the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante on September 6. The 52nd running of the race features a trio of local juveniles who all scored their maiden victories last out and have the benefit of both experience and a feel for the Del Mar strip.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/DMR080720USA8-EQB.html

Saturday August 8

3:42 p.m.—$300,000 Grade 1 Ballerina Stakes at Saratoga Race Course on FS2

Blue Devil Racing Stable's homebred Come Dancing emerged as one of the country's leading older female sprinters last summer at Saratoga Race Course, and trainer Carlos Martin is hopeful the 6-year-old mare will flash that same form when she goes after a second straight victory in Grade 1, $300,000 Ballerina Stakes. Come Dancing is attempting to become only the second horse to win multiple editions of the Ballerina following Shine Again in 2001 and 2002 for late Hall of Fame trainer Allen Jerkens. A multiple graded-stakes winner of more than $1 million in career purses, Come Dancing has raced just twice this year. She was 12th in her season debut, the Grade 1 Apple Blossom on April 18 at Oaklawn Park and second as the favorite behind fellow Ballerina aspirant Victim of Love in the Grade 3, 6 ½-furlong Vagrancy June 27 at Belmont Park

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/SAR080820USA7-EQB.html

4:22 p.m.—$200,000 Grade 3 Troy Stakes at Saratoga Race Course on FS2

Christophe Clement will look to add to his impressive numbers when he sends out Pure Sensation and Shekky Shebaz in Saturday's Troy Stakes over the Spa's Mellon turf course. Patricia Generazio's homebred Pure Sensation, a 9-year-old Zensational gelding, boasts a record of 37-14-5-7 with purse earnings of $2,001,050. The popular grey won 4-of-6 starts last season, including a pair of graded-stakes at Parx where he captured his third Grade 3 Parx Dash and his fourth Grade 3 Turf Monster at Parx. Pure Sensation wintered at Payson Park in Florida and made his seasonal debut with a seventh in the Grade 1 Jaipur on June 20 at Belmont Park.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/SAR080820USA8-EQB.html

5:02 p.m.—$150,000 Grade 3 Waya Stakes at Saratoga Race Course on FOX

Wise Racing's Fools Gold looks to defend her title in Saturday's Grade 3 Waya Stakes over the Mellon turf. Fools Gold, trained by Chad Brown, will attempt to be the first back-to-back winner of the Waya since Saratoga Source won the first two editions in 1993-94. The 5-year-old daughter of Medaglia d'Oro has not won since taking last year's Waya, where she sat off the pace in the early stages, inched her way into contention and won by three-quarters of a length. Her lone start this season was a well-beaten fifth in her seasonal bow in the Grade 2 New York on June 27 at Belmont Park over the inner turf.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/SAR080820USA9-EQB.html

5:39 p.m.—$300,000 Grade 1 Test Stakes at Saratoga Race Course on FOX

Michael Lund Petersen's Gamine headlines a field of six in Saturday's Test Stakes, a seven-furlong sprint for sophomore fillies. Gamine, an Into Mischief bay trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, has crossed the wire first in all three career starts, winning her March debut at Santa Anita by 6 ¼-lengths when sprinting 6 ½-furlongs. In May, she edged Speech, who two starts later captured the Grade 1 Ashland at Keeneland, in an optional-claiming sprint at Oaklawn where she was subsequently disqualified from purse money. Last out, the $1.8 million Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale purchase annexed a field of seven in the Grade 1 Acorn Stakes by 18 ¾-lengths on June 20 at Belmont Park.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/SAR080820USA10-EQB.html

6:15 p.m.—$1,000,000 Grade 1 Travers Stakes at Saratoga Race Course on FOX

Sackatoga Stable's Tiz the Law, undefeated in his sophomore campaign with three consecutive graded stakes victories, will return to the site where his racing career began last summer as part of an eight-horse field of top 3-year-olds in Saturday's Grade 1 Travers Stakes. Tiz the Law made history in becoming the first New York bred in 138 years to win the Belmont Stakes on June 20. With five wins in six career starts, the Barclay Tagg trainee is the even-money morning-line favorite from post 6 and enters the 1 1/4-mile “Mid-Summer Derby” leading all horses with 272 qualifying points to the Kentucky Derby. He has a chance to add to that record-breaking total, as the Travers will offer 100-40-20-10 points to the top four finishers to the “Run for the Roses” on September 5.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/SAR080820USA11-EQB.html

7:30 p.m.—$150,000 Grade 2 Best Pal Stakes at Del Mar on TVG

Eight times already trainer Wesley Ward has rung the stakes bell at Del Mar and Saturday he's aiming for another gong with a quick 2-year-old colt named Roderick, who ran away and hid from a straight maiden field at Belmont Park in New York on June 21 in his lone outing and looks like a solid favorite for the 50th edition of the Best Pal Stakes. The race, a six-panel spin for juveniles, has drawn a field of seven runners and Roderick has drawn post No. 4 and Del Mar's leading rider, Flavien Prat.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/DMR080820USA6-EQB.html

9 p.m.—$150,000 Grade 2 Yellow Ribbon Stakes at Del Mar on TVG

Slam Dunk Racing or Medallion Racing's Beau Recall (IRE), who was up by a whisker to win last year's Yellow Ribbon Handicap, has come back to Del Mar to try to make it two-for-two in the Grade 2 headliner for fillies and mares that will be run this Saturday. The now 6-year-old mare brings a record of seven wins and eight seconds from 27 starts to the mile and one-sixteenth grass test, as well as a bankroll that reads $1,101,512. Trainer Brad Cox has shipped his well-traveled charge in from New York to defend her title and has assigned Umberto Rispoli to ride.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/DMR080820USA9-EQB.html

Sunday August 9

6:10 p.m.—$200,000 Ellis Park Derby at Ellis Park on TVG

The field was set for Sunday's first-ever Kentucky Derby prep staged at Ellis Park, with Grade 2 Blue Grass Stakes winner Art Collector heading the thirteen 3-year-old colts and geldings entered in the Ellis Park Derby. The 1 1/8-mile Ellis Park Derby carries 50 points to the winner toward qualifying for the Kentucky Derby on September 5. Art Collector seeks to go to 4 for 4 since being turned over to trainer Tommy Drury this year. Thanks to the Blue Grass' 100 points, owner-breeder Bruce Lunsford's colt already has enough points to ensure a spot in the 20-horse Kentucky Derby field, with Drury using the Ellis Park Derby as a conditioning tool rather than training the eight weeks up to America's most important race.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/ELP080920USA10-EQB.html

9:30 p.m.—$125,000 Grade 3 La Jolla Handicap at Del Mar on TVG

Storm the Court, the reigning champion juvenile male, switches to the turf to face seven other challengers in the La Jolla as he seeks his first victory since capturing the Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita Park last November. Trained by Peter Eurton, Storm the Court is winless in four starts this season and most recently finished third in the Grade 3 Ohio Derby on June 27.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/DMR080920USA10-EQB.html

The post Weekend Lineup: Derby Points On The Line In Loaded Travers, Ellis Park Derby appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Weekend Lineup: Whitney Leads ‘Win And You’re In’ Races At The Spa

Historic Saratoga Race Course will feature three Grade 1 events on Saturday, led by the $750,000 Whitney at 1 1/8 miles with an automatic berth to the Breeders' Cup Classic on the line. The card is bolstered by the Grade 1 Personal Ensign Stakes, a “Win and You're In” qualifier for the Breeders' Cup Distaff; and the Grade 1 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial for 3-year-olds sprinting seven furlongs. The card will be broadcast on Saratoga Live beginning at 1 p.m. ET on FOX Sports and MSG Networks.

TVG will be live on site this weekend at Del Mar covering a loaded weekend of racing that includes two Breeders' Cup Challenge Series “Win and You're In” races – the Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes and the Grade 1 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes as well as the $100,000 Shared Belief Stakes which will serve as a prep race for the Kentucky Derby in September.

Fans of international racing can also tune in to TVG to watch racing from Goodwood Racecourse in England. Coverage begins at 5:30 a.m. PT/8:30 a.m. ET on Saturday.

NBC Sports presents three hours of live horse racing this Saturday at 7 p.m. ET on NBCSN, highlighted by the $250,000 Bing Crosby Stakes.

Saturday August 1

3:28 p.m.—$500,000 Grade 1 Personal Ensign Stakes at Saratoga Race Course on FS2

Reigning champion older dirt female Midnight Bisou, the No. 1-ranked horse on the NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll, will seek a 14th graded stakes victory when she aims to defend her title in the Personal Ensign. Midnight Bisou, a dark bay 5-year-old daughter of Midnight Lute, has put together a sensational record of 21-13-5-3 with purse earnings of $7,371,520. Trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, Midnight Bisou will attempt to be the first horse to score back-to-back Personal Ensign triumphs since John C. Oxley's champion Beautiful Pleasure did so in 1999-00. This year, Midnight Bisou has sustained her winning form, displaying an inside-closing effort in the inaugural $20 million Saudi Cup in February and last out won the Grade 2 Fleur de Lis at Churchill Downs by 8 ¼ lengths.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/SAR080120USA5-EQB.html

5:30 p.m.—$100,000 Shared Belief Stakes at Del Mar on TVG

In a season of unusual happenings, Saturday's Shared Belief Stakes fits right in. The 3-year-old feature – which has drawn six runners – breaks new ground in that it is the first time a Kentucky Derby prep race has been conducted at the seaside oval in its 81-year history. Heading the lineup is Honor A.P., the No. 2 ranked horse on the NTRA Top Three-Year-Old Poll, who comes into the race off a tally in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby on June 6. Honor A.P. was second in the San Felipe at Santa Anita in his race prior to that and has been training forwardly at Del Mar for his prep. Mike Smith, who has handled Honor A.P. in all four of his starts so far, once again has the call Saturday.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/DMR080120USA2-EQB.html

5:31 p.m.—$200,000 Grade 3 Monmouth Oaks at Monmouth Park on TVG

With the top six finishers back from the Grade 3 Delaware Oaks on July 4, as well as fourth-place Acorn Stakes finisher Lucrezia, the Monmouth Oaks field has several accomplished fillies. Dream Marie, off her second-place finish to Project Whiskey in the Delaware Oaks, where she was beaten a half-length, certainly fits. Dream Marie signaled her arrival as a potential stakes winner after winning a $50,000 starter allowance at Gulfstream Park in December, following that up with a win in a $75,000 optional claimer on January 20 and a second on May 15 in the Hollywood Wildcat.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/MTH080120USA11-EQB.html

5:42 p.m.—$750,000 Grade 1 Whitney Stakes at Saratoga Race Course on FS1

A field comprised of five millionaires – including three horses in the top 10 of the NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll – will make up a talented group of older horses assembled for the 93rd running of Saturday's Whitney going 1 1/8 miles. Trainer Al Stall, Jr. saddled subsequent Breeders' Cup Classic winner and champion Blame to victory in the 2010 Whitney off a four-race win streak. This year, the conditioner sends out red-hot Tom's d'Etat, who also arrives at the race off similar form with four straight wins. Owned by Gayle Benson's G M B Racing, the 7-year-old son of Smart Strike enters the Whitney off graded stakes triumphs in the Grade 2 Fayette on October 26 at Keeneland, the Grade 1 Clark on November 29 at Churchill Downs and the Grade 2 Stephen Foster on June 27 at Churchill Downs. Tom's d'Etat also leads all Whitney entrants with three victories at the Spa. As a 3-year-old, he broke his maiden at third asking by four lengths and won an allowance optional claiming event by nine lengths the following year. Last season, he was a one-length winner of the Alydar.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/SAR080120USA9-EQB.html

6:18 p.m.—$300,000 Grade 1 H. Allen Jerkens Stakes at Saratoga Race Course on FS2

A rematch featuring the superfecta of last month's Grade 1 Woody Stephens will highlight another high-caliber contest, with No Parole looking to propel his 3 ¾-length victory into more glory in Saturday's H. Allen Jerkens Memorial. No Parole, owned by Maggi Moss and Greg Tramontin, is unbeaten going one turn, registering a perfect 4-for-4 ledger in sprints. Overall, the Tom Amoss trainee has won 5-of-6 starts, including his gate-to-wire win in the seven-furlong Woody Stephens on June 20.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/SAR080120USA10-EQB.html

6:50 p.m.—$250,000 Grade 2 Bowling Green Stakes at Saratoga Race Course on FS2

Grade 1-winning veterans Channel Maker and Sadler's Joy, who together have combined to earn more than $4.7 million in purses during their lengthy careers, will attempt to put the brakes on frustrating losing streaks Saturday in the Bowling Green on the inner turf. Channel Maker has gone winless in nine starts since his neck victory in the Grade 1 Man o' War in May 2019 at Belmont Park, also contested at the Bowling Green distance. Most recently, he finished fourth by a length after pressing the pace into the stretch of the 1 ¼-mile Manhattan on July 4 at Belmont. Sadler's Joy earned his lone career Grade 1 victory in the 2018 Sword Dancer at Saratoga. The 7-year-old gelding capped his 2019 campaign by winning the Grade 3 Red Smith last November at Aqueduct, but has gone winless in four tries this year.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/SAR080120USA11-EQB.html

9:30 p.m.—$250,000 Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes at Del Mar on NBCSN and TVG

The Bing Crosby appears likely to have nine starters Saturday when the venerable sprint stakes will be run for the 75th time. Multi-millionaire McKinzie was slated to head up the Crosby field for this go-round, but trainer Bob Baffert has called an audible and indicated he'd rather run him later in the meet at seven furlongs in the Pat O'Brien Stakes on August 29. Stepping up to fill the role of favorite in the Crosby is Fashionably Fast, a 5-year-old gelding who is just what his name indicates. The son of the late Lucky Pulpit has won six of his last seven starts, each time using his exceptional speed to make or stalk the pace. His last outing – the Grade 2 Triple Bend Stakes over seven panels at Santa Anita on June 7 – saw him run a sharp second to McKinzie.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/DMR080120USA10-EQB.html

Sunday August 2

9:30 p.m.—$250,000 Grade 1 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes at Del Mar on TVG

Three Grade 1 winners are slated to start in the six-horse field of fillies and mares assembled for the Clement L. Hirsch. Ce Ce, winner of the Grade 1 Beholder Mile and Apple Blossom Handicap this year, comes in off a third-place finish behind fellow Hirsch entrant Fighting Mad in the Grade 2 Santa Maria Stakes at Santa Anita on May 31. Hard Not to Love, who took the Grade 1 La Brea Stakes last December, was second in the Santa Maria while Ollie's Candy seeks her first victory since taking last year's edition of the Clement L. Hirsch.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/DMR080220USA10-EQB.html

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