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Flat Out puts flawless Belmont record on line in Met Mile

Flat Out seeks to become the first horse since Forego to add the Met Mile to a prior victory in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (Horsephotos.com) Flat Out can flat out run at Belmont Park, and the connections of his eight rivals in the Grade 1, $750,000 Metropolitan Handicap will have to be mindful of that when they attempt to depose the current king of "Big Sandy" in the 120th running of the one-mile dash on Memorial Day. Colloquially known as the Met Mile, the antique test has long been cherished by horsemen and breeders for its ability to reveal future stallion prospects. The door toward a lucrative post-racing career might finally open for the seven-year-old Flat Out if he can push his Belmont record to five-for-five with a win Monday. With placings in the Breeders' Cup Classic, Woodward, Whitney Handicap and Clark Handicap, Flat Out has been a competent player in the handicap ranks all over the country. On Long Island, however, the Bill Mott-trained son of Flatter is a beast. Winner of the past two editions of the Jockey Club Gold Cup, Flat Out also owns hardware from scores in the Suburban Handicap and the Westchester.

The bay's versatility was on display for the latter victory, on April 27. After making a wide rally on the far turn, Flat Out eventually wore down a loose-on-the lead Cross Traffic in the final strides to win by a head. The final time for a mile, 1:32 4/5, was only three-fifths of a second off the track record.

Cross Traffic, who was making only his third career start in the Westchester, is back to re-oppose. The Todd Pletcher trained son of Unbridled's Song captured his first two starts at Gulfstream over the winter and was an even-money favorite in the Westchester, but simply tired late after setting demanding splits of :22 3/5, :45 1/5 and 1:08 4/5. The gray will have to be on his toes as he drew post 1 in the Metropolitan, and with plenty of other speed to his outside.

"It's pretty rare that you see a horse who has come that far in such a short time," Pletcher said. "He was an unraced four-year-old at the start of the year. He ran a huge race in the Westchester. He just lost to a tough, seasoned veteran who seems to love Belmont. We were very pleased with his race, and he's doing just as well or even better than he came into (the Westchester)."

Another fast pace could aid Carter Handicap winner Swagger Jack (NYRA/Adam Coglianese Photgraphy) The first four from the April 6 Carter Handicap at Aqueduct are back for the holiday feature. The seven-furlong Carter was another race where closers benefited from a swift pace, none more so than Swagger Jack. The Calder-based five-year-old registered the 15-1 upset that day under Irad Ortiz Jr., with California invader Sahara Sky also making a serious late charge for the place. While Swagger Jack was winning his first stakes, Sahara Sky was proving his earlier upsets of the Palos Verdes and San Carlos at Santa Anita were hardly flukes. Discreet Dancer, the even-money favorite for the Carter and another Pletcher trainee, came up empty in the stretch of after being perhaps a bit too close to the pace. Hero of the Gulfstream Park Handicap two back, the lightly-raced four-year-old has never finished out of the money and will be one of the ones aiming for stablemate Cross Traffic. Fort Loudon did not falter badly in the Carter, finishing only two lengths behind Swagger Jack after rating in second through the opening quarter-mile. The Nick Zito pupil has never won beyond seven furlongs, however, and has only won the Gulfstream Park Sprint Championship in nine races for the Hall of Fame conditioner.

Mark Valeski returns to the site of one of his biggest wins, the 2012 Peter Pan 12 over 1 1/8 miles. Unfortunately sidelined the for the remainder of the year, the Proud Citizen colt won the Mineshaft Handicap and placed in the Louisiana and New Orleans handicaps during a busy winter campaign at Fair Grounds. The Larry Jones trainee could be sitting on a big race following two recent bullet works at Churchill Downs.

"He handled the track real well (in the Peter Pan), and even though the race was a mile and an eighth he showed he liked the one turn," trainer Larry Jones said. "He broke his maiden in a sprint, and he has more speed to burn than we normally let him use. They'll be churning and burning out there, so he'll have more pace to run at, but he blew out well the other day and showed he's sharp."

Fed Biz, who represents Bob Baffert, has early foot but can also rate if the pace gets too heated. The Giant's Causeway colt registered his biggest win to date in January when taking the 1 1/16-mile San Fernando in wire-to-wire fashion.

The Met Mile field is completed by Handsome Mike, whose form has been generally lackadaisical since his upset of the Pennsylvania Derby last September.

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Flat Out puts flawless Belmont record on line in Met Mile

Flat Out seeks to become the first horse since Forego to add the Met Mile to a prior victory in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (Horsephotos.com) Flat Out can flat out run at Belmont Park, and the connections of his eight rivals in the Grade 1, $750,000 Metropolitan Handicap will have to be mindful of that when they attempt to depose the current king of "Big Sandy" in the 120th running of the one-mile dash on Memorial Day. Colloquially known as the Met Mile, the antique test has long been cherished by horsemen and breeders for its ability to reveal future stallion prospects. The door toward a lucrative post-racing career might finally open for the seven-year-old Flat Out if he can push his Belmont record to five-for-five with a win Monday. With placings in the Breeders' Cup Classic, Woodward, Whitney Handicap and Clark Handicap, Flat Out has been a competent player in the handicap ranks all over the country. On Long Island, however, the Bill Mott-trained son of Flatter is a beast. Winner of the past two editions of the Jockey Club Gold Cup, Flat Out also owns hardware from scores in the Suburban Handicap and the Westchester.

The bay's versatility was on display for the latter victory, on April 27. After making a wide rally on the far turn, Flat Out eventually wore down a loose-on-the lead Cross Traffic in the final strides to win by a head. The final time for a mile, 1:32 4/5, was only three-fifths of a second off the track record.

Cross Traffic, who was making only his third career start in the Westchester, is back to re-oppose. The Todd Pletcher trained son of Unbridled's Song captured his first two starts at Gulfstream over the winter and was an even-money favorite in the Westchester, but simply tired late after setting demanding splits of :22 3/5, :45 1/5 and 1:08 4/5. The gray will have to be on his toes as he drew post 1 in the Metropolitan, and with plenty of other speed to his outside.

"It's pretty rare that you see a horse who has come that far in such a short time," Pletcher said. "He was an unraced four-year-old at the start of the year. He ran a huge race in the Westchester. He just lost to a tough, seasoned veteran who seems to love Belmont. We were very pleased with his race, and he's doing just as well or even better than he came into (the Westchester)."

Another fast pace could aid Carter Handicap winner Swagger Jack (NYRA/Adam Coglianese Photgraphy) The first four from the April 6 Carter Handicap at Aqueduct are back for the holiday feature. The seven-furlong Carter was another race where closers benefited from a swift pace, none more so than Swagger Jack. The Calder-based five-year-old registered the 15-1 upset that day under Irad Ortiz Jr., with California invader Sahara Sky also making a serious late charge for the place. While Swagger Jack was winning his first stakes, Sahara Sky was proving his earlier upsets of the Palos Verdes and San Carlos at Santa Anita were hardly flukes. Discreet Dancer, the even-money favorite for the Carter and another Pletcher trainee, came up empty in the stretch of after being perhaps a bit too close to the pace. Hero of the Gulfstream Park Handicap two back, the lightly-raced four-year-old has never finished out of the money and will be one of the ones aiming for stablemate Cross Traffic. Fort Loudon did not falter badly in the Carter, finishing only two lengths behind Swagger Jack after rating in second through the opening quarter-mile. The Nick Zito pupil has never won beyond seven furlongs, however, and has only won the Gulfstream Park Sprint Championship in nine races for the Hall of Fame conditioner.

Mark Valeski returns to the site of one of his biggest wins, the 2012 Peter Pan 12 over 1 1/8 miles. Unfortunately sidelined the for the remainder of the year, the Proud Citizen colt won the Mineshaft Handicap and placed in the Louisiana and New Orleans handicaps during a busy winter campaign at Fair Grounds. The Larry Jones trainee could be sitting on a big race following two recent bullet works at Churchill Downs.

"He handled the track real well (in the Peter Pan), and even though the race was a mile and an eighth he showed he liked the one turn," trainer Larry Jones said. "He broke his maiden in a sprint, and he has more speed to burn than we normally let him use. They'll be churning and burning out there, so he'll have more pace to run at, but he blew out well the other day and showed he's sharp."

Fed Biz, who represents Bob Baffert, has early foot but can also rate if the pace gets too heated. The Giant's Causeway colt registered his biggest win to date in January when taking the 1 1/16-mile San Fernando in wire-to-wire fashion.

The Met Mile field is completed by Handsome Mike, whose form has been generally lackadaisical since his upset of the Pennsylvania Derby last September.

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Joyful Victory, Disposablepleasure meet in Phipps; Kauai Katie highlights Acorn

Joyful Victory exits an impressive score in the Santa Margarita and is likely the one to catch in the Ogden Phipps  (Benoit Photo) The Metropolitan Handicap is the main event, but Monday's Memorial Day program at Belmont Park also features a strong undercard of stakes events with the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps, Grade 1 Acorn and Grade 2 Sands Point. The $400,000 Phipps did not attract divisional leader Royal Delta, who is expected to make her first start back from Dubai in the Grade 2 Fleur de Lis next month, but will showcase perhaps the two most exciting distaffers outside of the reigning Eclipse Award winner, Joyful Victory and Disposablepleasure. Both runners are two for two this season. After a solid 2012 campaign in which she recorded a stakes win and five graded placings, Joyful Victory appears to have developed into a much more formidable five-year-old. The daughter of Tapit opened the season with a facile 4 1/4-length tally in the January 26 Houston Ladies Classic at Sam Houston and then made short work of her rivals when shipping to Santa Anita for the Grade 1 Santa Margarita on March 16, rolling on the front end to a four-length decision.

The gray mare netted BRIS Speed ratings of 112 (Santa Margarita) and 107 for those impressive performances. Rosie Napravnik will retain the mount for trainer Larry Jones and Joyful Victory promises to show speed from her innermost post position in the 1 1/16-mile Phipps.

Disposablepleasure posted her first stakes win in the Grade 2 Demoiselle in 2011, but her sophomore campaign got off to a slow start and she appeared to tail off at the end of the year following a pair of runner-up finishes in the Grade 2 Black-Eyed Susan and Grade 1 Mother Goose. The gray Giacomo filly has come back with a vengeance so far in 2013, opening with a good-looking score over optional claiming at Gulfstream Park before posting a 3 1/2-length romp in the Grade 3 Sixty Sails at Hawthorne, running the 1 1/8-mile distance faster than Illinois Derby winner Departing later on the same program.

The Todd Pletcher-trained filly registered a career-best 103 BRIS Speed rating in the Sixty Sails and should appreciate the return to Belmont Park, where Disposablepleasure has produced a win and a close second from two previous attempts. Javier Castellano will be back in the saddle.

Jones will also saddle 2012 Kentucky Oaks winner Believe You Can, who exits a third in the Grade 2 La Troienne on May 4, and Pletcher has a second starter in La Troienne winner Authenticity.

Multiple Grade 3 queen Tiz Miz Sue, runner-up in the Grade 1 Apple Blossom most recently, and longshot Centring round out the Phipps field.

Kauai Katie steps up to face deeper competition in the Acorn after posting three runaway wins this year (Leslie Martin/Adam Coglianese Photography) Kauai Katie will look to remain unbeaten at one turn when she lines up against five three-year-old rivals in the $300,000 Acorn at a mile. A multiple Grade 2 winner last season, the Pletcher-trained daughter of Malibu Moon sustained her only career setback when trying two turns in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, checking in fourth. Cutting back to the six furlongs in the Grade 3 Old Hat on New Year's Day, Kauai Katie posted an eight-length decision. She continued to roll along in the Grade 2 Forward Gal on January 26, scoring by 5 1/2 lengths in the seven-furlong test, and tuned up for the Acorn with an easy 3 1/4-length tally in the April 21 Road Princess going seven furlongs at Aqueduct. Kauai Katie steps up to face a deeper cast Saturday and figures to break running from her rail post with jockey John Velazquez.

Midnight Lucky and Close Hatches will both look to reverse fortunes after recording unplaced finishes in the Kentucky Oaks.

Midnight Lucky sustained her first defeat after setting the pace, weakening to fifth in the stretch, and trainer Bob Baffert hopes the cutback in trip will benefit her. The gray daughter of Midnight Lute opened her racing career in mid-February with a 7 1/4-length win over maiden special weight rivals at Santa Anita and then produced an eye-catching eight-length victory in the March 24 Sunland Oaks. She drew well in post 5 with new rider Napravnik.

Close Hatches, who is by First Defence, captured her first three starts before a disappointing seventh in the Oaks in which she never fired. Winner of the Grade 2 Gazelle at Aqueduct two back, defeating subsequent Oaks winner Princess of Sylmar in the process, the Bill Mott-trained filly will keep Joel Rosario in the saddle Saturday.

The rest of the field is comprised of Cue the Moon, Let Me Entertain U and Momentary Magic.

In the $200,000 Sands Point, Watsdachances figures to go postward as a solid favorite in the 1 1/16-mile event on inner turf. Winner of the Grade 3 Miss Grillo and P.G. Johnson, she completed her two-year-old season with an excellent second in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. The Chad Brown trainee made a belated three-year-old bow, rallying for fourth as the odds-on choice in the Grade 3 Appalachian on April 18, and is eligible to show much more following the tightener.

Appalachian winner Unbelievable Dream is also part of the seven-horse field that includes a main-track only runner.

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Joyful Victory, Disposablepleasure meet in Phipps; Kauai Katie highlights Acorn

Joyful Victory exits an impressive score in the Santa Margarita and is likely the one to catch in the Ogden Phipps  (Benoit Photo) The Metropolitan Handicap is the main event, but Monday's Memorial Day program at Belmont Park also features a strong undercard of stakes events with the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps, Grade 1 Acorn and Grade 2 Sands Point. The $400,000 Phipps did not attract divisional leader Royal Delta, who is expected to make her first start back from Dubai in the Grade 2 Fleur de Lis next month, but will showcase perhaps the two most exciting distaffers outside of the reigning Eclipse Award winner, Joyful Victory and Disposablepleasure. Both runners are two for two this season. After a solid 2012 campaign in which she recorded a stakes win and five graded placings, Joyful Victory appears to have developed into a much more formidable five-year-old. The daughter of Tapit opened the season with a facile 4 1/4-length tally in the January 26 Houston Ladies Classic at Sam Houston and then made short work of her rivals when shipping to Santa Anita for the Grade 1 Santa Margarita on March 16, rolling on the front end to a four-length decision.

The gray mare netted BRIS Speed ratings of 112 (Santa Margarita) and 107 for those impressive performances. Rosie Napravnik will retain the mount for trainer Larry Jones and Joyful Victory promises to show speed from her innermost post position in the 1 1/16-mile Phipps.

Disposablepleasure posted her first stakes win in the Grade 2 Demoiselle in 2011, but her sophomore campaign got off to a slow start and she appeared to tail off at the end of the year following a pair of runner-up finishes in the Grade 2 Black-Eyed Susan and Grade 1 Mother Goose. The gray Giacomo filly has come back with a vengeance so far in 2013, opening with a good-looking score over optional claiming at Gulfstream Park before posting a 3 1/2-length romp in the Grade 3 Sixty Sails at Hawthorne, running the 1 1/8-mile distance faster than Illinois Derby winner Departing later on the same program.

The Todd Pletcher-trained filly registered a career-best 103 BRIS Speed rating in the Sixty Sails and should appreciate the return to Belmont Park, where Disposablepleasure has produced a win and a close second from two previous attempts. Javier Castellano will be back in the saddle.

Jones will also saddle 2012 Kentucky Oaks winner Believe You Can, who exits a third in the Grade 2 La Troienne on May 4, and Pletcher has a second starter in La Troienne winner Authenticity.

Multiple Grade 3 queen Tiz Miz Sue, runner-up in the Grade 1 Apple Blossom most recently, and longshot Centring round out the Phipps field.

Kauai Katie steps up to face deeper competition in the Acorn after posting three runaway wins this year (Leslie Martin/Adam Coglianese Photography) Kauai Katie will look to remain unbeaten at one turn when she lines up against five three-year-old rivals in the $300,000 Acorn at a mile. A multiple Grade 2 winner last season, the Pletcher-trained daughter of Malibu Moon sustained her only career setback when trying two turns in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, checking in fourth. Cutting back to the six furlongs in the Grade 3 Old Hat on New Year's Day, Kauai Katie posted an eight-length decision. She continued to roll along in the Grade 2 Forward Gal on January 26, scoring by 5 1/2 lengths in the seven-furlong test, and tuned up for the Acorn with an easy 3 1/4-length tally in the April 21 Road Princess going seven furlongs at Aqueduct. Kauai Katie steps up to face a deeper cast Saturday and figures to break running from her rail post with jockey John Velazquez.

Midnight Lucky and Close Hatches will both look to reverse fortunes after recording unplaced finishes in the Kentucky Oaks.

Midnight Lucky sustained her first defeat after setting the pace, weakening to fifth in the stretch, and trainer Bob Baffert hopes the cutback in trip will benefit her. The gray daughter of Midnight Lute opened her racing career in mid-February with a 7 1/4-length win over maiden special weight rivals at Santa Anita and then produced an eye-catching eight-length victory in the March 24 Sunland Oaks. She drew well in post 5 with new rider Napravnik.

Close Hatches, who is by First Defence, captured her first three starts before a disappointing seventh in the Oaks in which she never fired. Winner of the Grade 2 Gazelle at Aqueduct two back, defeating subsequent Oaks winner Princess of Sylmar in the process, the Bill Mott-trained filly will keep Joel Rosario in the saddle Saturday.

The rest of the field is comprised of Cue the Moon, Let Me Entertain U and Momentary Magic.

In the $200,000 Sands Point, Watsdachances figures to go postward as a solid favorite in the 1 1/16-mile event on inner turf. Winner of the Grade 3 Miss Grillo and P.G. Johnson, she completed her two-year-old season with an excellent second in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. The Chad Brown trainee made a belated three-year-old bow, rallying for fourth as the odds-on choice in the Grade 3 Appalachian on April 18, and is eligible to show much more following the tightener.

Appalachian winner Unbelievable Dream is also part of the seven-horse field that includes a main-track only runner.

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Marketing to Mix it up with Lady of Shamrock in Gamely

Marketing Mix (right) finished ahead of the younger Lady of Shamrock (left) in the Breeders' Cup F&M Turf, but must confirm the form on Monday (Benoit Photos) In its final Memorial Day in operation, Hollywood Park will serve up a fascinating showdown between turf distaff stars Marketing Mix and Lady of Shamrock in the Grade 1, $250,000 Gamely Stakes. Marketing Mix beat her younger rival in their only prior meeting, when runner-up to champion Zagora in the November 2 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Santa Anita. Lady of Shamrock was a creditable fifth that day. Not only was she a three-year-old taking on her elders, but Lady of Shamrock had also missed some training time, entered the race off a longer break than originally planned, and had traffic trouble to boot. Lady of Shamrock hopes that the proverbial shoe is on the other foot this time. The John Sadler filly has two solid runs already under her belt, while Marketing Mix will be making her five-year-old debut in this spot. Yet the older mare still brings the strongest form to bear, and remains the one to beat. Trained by Tom Proctor, Marketing Mix has compiled an 11-7-3-0 mark on turf, including victories in the 2011 Wonder Where, Pucker Up and Mrs. Revere at three and the 2012 Nassau, Dance Smartly and Rodeo Drive at four. The daughter of Medaglia d'Oro has also performed capably against high-class European rivals. Aside from her second in the 2011 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup, she just missed in last summer's Beverly D., and defeated a few highly-touted internationals in her placed effort in the Breeders' Cup.

Marketing Mix was scheduled to reappear in the Churchill Distaff Turf Mile on Kentucky Derby Day, but the rain-softened ground prompted connections to scratch her. Sure to get the firm turf she relishes in sunny Southern California, she also picks up the services of Hall of Famer Gary Stevens.

Lady of Shamrock was among last year's leading sophomore turf fillies. A dynamic winner of the American Oaks over the Hollywood turf, the Scat Daddy filly went last to first in the Del Mar Oaks, notching her fifth career stakes score. Although she has been convincing against members of her own generation, Lady of Shamrock has yet to cross the wire first since tackling distaffers of all ages. In her return in the March 24 Santa Ana, she got off to a slow start, rallied off a tepid pace, and settled for second. Lady of Shamrock next met with interference in the April 20 Santa Barbara, where she was awarded the victory via disqualification.

Following the Santa Barbara, which was another paceless affair, Sadler commented that he would likely employ a pacemaker to set up Lady of Shamrock's closing kick. Miss Ellany, in the same ownership as Lady of Shamrock, has the look of one in the Gamely. Although she's shown no speed in two U.S. starts, the daughter of sprinter Kodiac had raced on or near the lead in Great Britain. The rider switch to Martin Pedroza tips the hand, and Miss Ellany promises to carve out honest fractions from the rail.

The Gamely is not merely a match race. Tiz Flirtatious upset Lady of Shamrock when getting the jump on the favorite in the Santa Ana last out. Never out of the exacta in five turf starts, the Marty Jones mare also finished second in last fall's Matriarch and Robert J. Frankel. Fellow California-bred Halo Dolly captured the local prep, the April 28 Wilshire, and boasts 15 wins from 29 career starts. Owned in partnership by Hall of Famer Jerry Hollendorfer, Halo Dolly rates as the 123-pound co-highweight along with Marketing Mix and Lady of Shamrock.

My Gi Gi barely held on from Lady of Shamrock in the Honeymoon Handicap over this course and 1 1/8-mile trip last June, but was no match for her in their subsequent meetings. She has not raced since checking in fifth to Marketing Mix in the September 29 Rodeo Drive and appears up against it here. Former Peruvian champion Private Affair likewise must improve considerably to factor.

Fast Bullet seeks a breakthrough against much more experienced foes in the Los Angeles' Cap (Breeders' Cup Ltd.) Earlier on the holiday program, a contentious group of sprinters will dash six furlongs on the Cushion Track in the Grade 3, $100,000 Los Angeles Handicap. The hardy millionaire Comma to the Top ranks as the 121-pound highweight, on the strength of recent front-running victories in the March 2 Tom Fool at Aqueduct and the May 4 Cool Frenchy dashing five furlongs here. But the last time the Peter Miller veteran went six furlongs at this venue, Comma to the Top tired to fourth in last December's Vernon O. Underwood. The Bob Baffert-trained Fast Bullet looms as a dangerous pace rival. Two-for-two at Hollywood, the lightly-raced five-year-old romped in a 6 1/2-furlong allowance when last seen on December 6, garnering a dazzling 107 BRIS Speed figure. Fast Bullet has lost only once in his stop-start career, but that was a decent sixth off a year-long layoff in the Breeders' Cup Sprint, and this is a more manageable spot. Baffert's more accomplished entrant is Apriority, who landed the 2011 Mr. Prospector and placed second in that year's Carter. Trained for most of his career by David Fawkes, he joined Baffert for 2013 and could be sitting on a peak effort in his third outing for the barn. Apriority exits a third to Jimmy Creed and Unbridled's Note in the April 6 Potrero Grande. Ron Ellis is also double-handed in the Los Angeles 'Cap, with Centralinteligence and Majestic City. Centralinteligence was runner-up in last year's edition and warmed up with a closing fourth to Comma to the Top in the Cool Frenchy, his return from a 10-month absence. Majestic City, a prominent two-year-old when trained by Miller, will be making his debut for Ellis. The City Zip colt brings a three-for-four local mark, highlighted by daylight wins in the 2011 Hollywood Juvenile Championship and Willard L. Proctor Memorial, and rates as a sleeper in his comeback.

Camp Victory, promoted to first in the 2011 Los Angeles on the disqualification of Amazombie, was only third in 2012 and now seeks to regain his title. The Mike Mitchell trainee has won just once in the interim, in last summer's Triple Bend Handicap at Hollywood, and made no impact when fifth in his return in the Potrero Grande. Camp Victory has been training forwardly, however, and could be on the verge of a rebound.

The Cody Autrey-trained Tiz Tee Time takes a class hike off a wire job at Oaklawn Park on April 13, but keeps Stevens in the saddle.

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Marketing to Mix it up with Lady of Shamrock in Gamely

Marketing Mix (right) finished ahead of the younger Lady of Shamrock (left) in the Breeders' Cup F&M Turf, but must confirm the form on Monday (Benoit Photos) In its final Memorial Day in operation, Hollywood Park will serve up a fascinating showdown between turf distaff stars Marketing Mix and Lady of Shamrock in the Grade 1, $250,000 Gamely Stakes. Marketing Mix beat her younger rival in their only prior meeting, when runner-up to champion Zagora in the November 2 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Santa Anita. Lady of Shamrock was a creditable fifth that day. Not only was she a three-year-old taking on her elders, but Lady of Shamrock had also missed some training time, entered the race off a longer break than originally planned, and had traffic trouble to boot. Lady of Shamrock hopes that the proverbial shoe is on the other foot this time. The John Sadler filly has two solid runs already under her belt, while Marketing Mix will be making her five-year-old debut in this spot. Yet the older mare still brings the strongest form to bear, and remains the one to beat. Trained by Tom Proctor, Marketing Mix has compiled an 11-7-3-0 mark on turf, including victories in the 2011 Wonder Where, Pucker Up and Mrs. Revere at three and the 2012 Nassau, Dance Smartly and Rodeo Drive at four. The daughter of Medaglia d'Oro has also performed capably against high-class European rivals. Aside from her second in the 2011 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup, she just missed in last summer's Beverly D., and defeated a few highly-touted internationals in her placed effort in the Breeders' Cup.

Marketing Mix was scheduled to reappear in the Churchill Distaff Turf Mile on Kentucky Derby Day, but the rain-softened ground prompted connections to scratch her. Sure to get the firm turf she relishes in sunny Southern California, she also picks up the services of Hall of Famer Gary Stevens.

Lady of Shamrock was among last year's leading sophomore turf fillies. A dynamic winner of the American Oaks over the Hollywood turf, the Scat Daddy filly went last to first in the Del Mar Oaks, notching her fifth career stakes score. Although she has been convincing against members of her own generation, Lady of Shamrock has yet to cross the wire first since tackling distaffers of all ages. In her return in the March 24 Santa Ana, she got off to a slow start, rallied off a tepid pace, and settled for second. Lady of Shamrock next met with interference in the April 20 Santa Barbara, where she was awarded the victory via disqualification.

Following the Santa Barbara, which was another paceless affair, Sadler commented that he would likely employ a pacemaker to set up Lady of Shamrock's closing kick. Miss Ellany, in the same ownership as Lady of Shamrock, has the look of one in the Gamely. Although she's shown no speed in two U.S. starts, the daughter of sprinter Kodiac had raced on or near the lead in Great Britain. The rider switch to Martin Pedroza tips the hand, and Miss Ellany promises to carve out honest fractions from the rail.

The Gamely is not merely a match race. Tiz Flirtatious upset Lady of Shamrock when getting the jump on the favorite in the Santa Ana last out. Never out of the exacta in five turf starts, the Marty Jones mare also finished second in last fall's Matriarch and Robert J. Frankel. Fellow California-bred Halo Dolly captured the local prep, the April 28 Wilshire, and boasts 15 wins from 29 career starts. Owned in partnership by Hall of Famer Jerry Hollendorfer, Halo Dolly rates as the 123-pound co-highweight along with Marketing Mix and Lady of Shamrock.

My Gi Gi barely held on from Lady of Shamrock in the Honeymoon Handicap over this course and 1 1/8-mile trip last June, but was no match for her in their subsequent meetings. She has not raced since checking in fifth to Marketing Mix in the September 29 Rodeo Drive and appears up against it here. Former Peruvian champion Private Affair likewise must improve considerably to factor.

Fast Bullet seeks a breakthrough against much more experienced foes in the Los Angeles' Cap (Breeders' Cup Ltd.) Earlier on the holiday program, a contentious group of sprinters will dash six furlongs on the Cushion Track in the Grade 3, $100,000 Los Angeles Handicap. The hardy millionaire Comma to the Top ranks as the 121-pound highweight, on the strength of recent front-running victories in the March 2 Tom Fool at Aqueduct and the May 4 Cool Frenchy dashing five furlongs here. But the last time the Peter Miller veteran went six furlongs at this venue, Comma to the Top tired to fourth in last December's Vernon O. Underwood. The Bob Baffert-trained Fast Bullet looms as a dangerous pace rival. Two-for-two at Hollywood, the lightly-raced five-year-old romped in a 6 1/2-furlong allowance when last seen on December 6, garnering a dazzling 107 BRIS Speed figure. Fast Bullet has lost only once in his stop-start career, but that was a decent sixth off a year-long layoff in the Breeders' Cup Sprint, and this is a more manageable spot. Baffert's more accomplished entrant is Apriority, who landed the 2011 Mr. Prospector and placed second in that year's Carter. Trained for most of his career by David Fawkes, he joined Baffert for 2013 and could be sitting on a peak effort in his third outing for the barn. Apriority exits a third to Jimmy Creed and Unbridled's Note in the April 6 Potrero Grande. Ron Ellis is also double-handed in the Los Angeles 'Cap, with Centralinteligence and Majestic City. Centralinteligence was runner-up in last year's edition and warmed up with a closing fourth to Comma to the Top in the Cool Frenchy, his return from a 10-month absence. Majestic City, a prominent two-year-old when trained by Miller, will be making his debut for Ellis. The City Zip colt brings a three-for-four local mark, highlighted by daylight wins in the 2011 Hollywood Juvenile Championship and Willard L. Proctor Memorial, and rates as a sleeper in his comeback.

Camp Victory, promoted to first in the 2011 Los Angeles on the disqualification of Amazombie, was only third in 2012 and now seeks to regain his title. The Mike Mitchell trainee has won just once in the interim, in last summer's Triple Bend Handicap at Hollywood, and made no impact when fifth in his return in the Potrero Grande. Camp Victory has been training forwardly, however, and could be on the verge of a rebound.

The Cody Autrey-trained Tiz Tee Time takes a class hike off a wire job at Oaklawn Park on April 13, but keeps Stevens in the saddle.

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Fort Larned drills five-eighths for campaign 'restart' in Stephen Foster

Things haven't exactly gone according to plan this year for 2012 Breeders' Cup Classic winner Fort Larned, but trainer Ian Wilkes will look for things to turn around beginning with the Grade 1, $500,000-added Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs on June 15.

Janis Whitham's Fort Larned made his 2013 debut in the March 9 Gulfstream Park Handicap and lost jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. after stumbling at the start. In his second and most recent start of the year, he finished fifth as the 1-2 favorite in the April 13 Oaklawn Handicap.

"This is like a restart for the year for us," Wilkes said. "We had a couple hiccups earlier this year and now we are looking to restart our year and point everything to the Breeders' Cup."

The Stephen Foster is a "Win & You're In" race for the Breeders' Cup Classic, which will once again be run at Santa Anita on November 2.

In prep for the Stephen Foster, Fort Larned breezed five furlongs in :59 4/5 on the fast main track at Churchill Downs on Friday morning. It was the third fastest work of 21 at the distance.

"The horse is doing great," Wilkes said. "He worked very well this morning."

Working under Calvin Borel, Fort Larned recorded fractions of :12 4/5, :25 and :37 1/5 and galloped out six furlongs in 1:11 4/5, seven-eighths in 1:24 2/5 and a mile in 1:38 3/5.

"Calvin did me a favor and worked him this morning, but Brian won't be taking off. (Hernandez) will have the mount (in the Stephen Foster)."

In addition to being aboard the bay son of E Dubai for the Classic victory last year, Hernandez guided Fort Larned to wins in the Whitney Handicap and Prairie Meadows Cornhusker Handicap.

Nominations for the Stephen Foster Handicap close June 1.

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Fort Larned drills five-eighths for campaign 'restart' in Stephen Foster

Things haven't exactly gone according to plan this year for 2012 Breeders' Cup Classic winner Fort Larned, but trainer Ian Wilkes will look for things to turn around beginning with the Grade 1, $500,000-added Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs on June 15.

Janis Whitham's Fort Larned made his 2013 debut in the March 9 Gulfstream Park Handicap and lost jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. after stumbling at the start. In his second and most recent start of the year, he finished fifth as the 1-2 favorite in the April 13 Oaklawn Handicap.

"This is like a restart for the year for us," Wilkes said. "We had a couple hiccups earlier this year and now we are looking to restart our year and point everything to the Breeders' Cup."

The Stephen Foster is a "Win & You're In" race for the Breeders' Cup Classic, which will once again be run at Santa Anita on November 2.

In prep for the Stephen Foster, Fort Larned breezed five furlongs in :59 4/5 on the fast main track at Churchill Downs on Friday morning. It was the third fastest work of 21 at the distance.

"The horse is doing great," Wilkes said. "He worked very well this morning."

Working under Calvin Borel, Fort Larned recorded fractions of :12 4/5, :25 and :37 1/5 and galloped out six furlongs in 1:11 4/5, seven-eighths in 1:24 2/5 and a mile in 1:38 3/5.

"Calvin did me a favor and worked him this morning, but Brian won't be taking off. (Hernandez) will have the mount (in the Stephen Foster)."

In addition to being aboard the bay son of E Dubai for the Classic victory last year, Hernandez guided Fort Larned to wins in the Whitney Handicap and Prairie Meadows Cornhusker Handicap.

Nominations for the Stephen Foster Handicap close June 1.

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'Fire' and 'Ice' face off in Majestic Light

Ruler on Ice (left) and Pants on Fire are both entered to Saturday's Majestic Light at Monmouth Park (Ryan Denver/EquiPhoto) It's been nearly two years since George and Lori Hall's Ruler On Ice and Pants On Fire faced off in the 2011 Haskell Invitational. But this Saturday, the duo, collectively known as "Fire" and "Ice" are entered in Monmouth's $75,000 Majestic Light going a mile and 70 yards over the main track. "I'm not certain that Pants On Fire will go," trainer Kelly John Breen said. "He's still possible. We had to scratch on race day for the (April 27) Westchester (at Belmont). He sliced his foot on the stall at Belmont that day. He's coming along great, I'm just not certain right now whether we'll run him on Saturday." As for his Belmont Stakes-winning stablemate, "Ruler On Ice is a go," Breen said. After collecting his classic trophy in the 2011 Belmont in 2011, Ruler On Ice went on to finish third in the Haskell, fourth in the Travers, second in the Pennsylvania Derby and third in the Breeders' Cup Classic. It was a rough go for the Roman Ruler gelding in 2012, where he was shut out of the winner's circle from four tries. He returned to the races on January 30, taking an allowance event at Aqueduct, and in his most recent try was fourth in a tough allowance contest at Parx.

"I'm just putting a line through that last race," Breen said. "He was back to his old ways of goofing off and just didn't have his head on right that day. Since he's been back at Monmouth, though, he's been terrific. He put in a solid breeze of :59 and four the other day and looked great doing it."

That morning move was on May 18, fastest of 12 workers that day. Prior to that the chestnut sported another bullet work, going four furlongs in :48 1/5 on May 4, the best of 46 on the work tab.

Pants On Fire is coming off a third-place finish in the Skip Away at Gulfstream Park on March 30. The Grade 2-winning son of Jump Start is quickly closing in on $1 million in earnings, having banked $985,760 from a 19-6-3-3 career mark.

The dark bay five-year-old is a two-time winner at Monmouth, having taken the Pegasus in 2011 and Skip Away over the track last year.

Also entered in the Majestic Light are Grade 3 victor Buffum, last seen finishing fourth in the November 24 Cigar Mile Handicap, and stakes debuter Bowman's Beast, who's captured his past three by a combined 31 1/4 lengths.

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'Fire' and 'Ice' face off in Majestic Light

Ruler on Ice (left) and Pants on Fire are both entered to Saturday's Majestic Light at Monmouth Park (Ryan Denver/EquiPhoto) It's been nearly two years since George and Lori Hall's Ruler On Ice and Pants On Fire faced off in the 2011 Haskell Invitational. But this Saturday, the duo, collectively known as "Fire" and "Ice" are entered in Monmouth's $75,000 Majestic Light going a mile and 70 yards over the main track. "I'm not certain that Pants On Fire will go," trainer Kelly John Breen said. "He's still possible. We had to scratch on race day for the (April 27) Westchester (at Belmont). He sliced his foot on the stall at Belmont that day. He's coming along great, I'm just not certain right now whether we'll run him on Saturday." As for his Belmont Stakes-winning stablemate, "Ruler On Ice is a go," Breen said. After collecting his classic trophy in the 2011 Belmont in 2011, Ruler On Ice went on to finish third in the Haskell, fourth in the Travers, second in the Pennsylvania Derby and third in the Breeders' Cup Classic. It was a rough go for the Roman Ruler gelding in 2012, where he was shut out of the winner's circle from four tries. He returned to the races on January 30, taking an allowance event at Aqueduct, and in his most recent try was fourth in a tough allowance contest at Parx.

"I'm just putting a line through that last race," Breen said. "He was back to his old ways of goofing off and just didn't have his head on right that day. Since he's been back at Monmouth, though, he's been terrific. He put in a solid breeze of :59 and four the other day and looked great doing it."

That morning move was on May 18, fastest of 12 workers that day. Prior to that the chestnut sported another bullet work, going four furlongs in :48 1/5 on May 4, the best of 46 on the work tab.

Pants On Fire is coming off a third-place finish in the Skip Away at Gulfstream Park on March 30. The Grade 2-winning son of Jump Start is quickly closing in on $1 million in earnings, having banked $985,760 from a 19-6-3-3 career mark.

The dark bay five-year-old is a two-time winner at Monmouth, having taken the Pegasus in 2011 and Skip Away over the track last year.

Also entered in the Majestic Light are Grade 3 victor Buffum, last seen finishing fourth in the November 24 Cigar Mile Handicap, and stakes debuter Bowman's Beast, who's captured his past three by a combined 31 1/4 lengths.

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O'Brien seeking record ninth win in Irish Two Thousand Guineas

Aidan O'Brien on Thursday declared four of the original eight entries for Saturday's Group 1 Irish Two Thousand Guineas, with Joseph O'Brien booked for Magician as the stable seeks to improve on their record eight winners.

While the last five of O'Brien's winners had tackled the Newmarket equivalent beforehand, this year's prime candidate is dropping down in trip having impressed over the 10 furlongs of the Dee Stakes at Chester when last seen on May 10. Many saw him as a Derby prospect immediately after that four-length romp on the Roodeye, so it was a mild surprise that Magician reverts to the course and distance over which he registered a six-length maiden score at the expense of the subsequent Group performer Bunairgead in October.

"He's a Galileo with a very fast pedigree," his trainer told PA Sport. "He showed he got a mile and a quarter well at Chester, whether he'd get a mile and a half I'm not absolutely sure, but Chester's a sharp, fast track and he looked like he wouldn't have a problem dropping back to a mile."

Magician takes up the leading role from the absent Cristoforo Colombo and Mars, and will be joined by stablemate George Vancouver, who was unplaced in the Two Thousand Guineas at Newmarket on May 4, as well as Gale Force Ten and Flying the Flag, the respective fourth- and ninth-place runners in the Poule d'Essai des Poulains (French Two Thousand Guineas) at Longchamp on May 12.

Runner-up in the Norfolk Stakes over five furlongs at Royal Ascot in June and Newmarket's Middle Park Stakes going six in October, Gale Force Ten possesses a fair share of speed along with his fellow barnmate George Vancouver. The former had more of a straightforward passage through the Poule d'Essai des Poulains than the colt who finished a short head behind him, Havana Gold, but it is hard to quantify how much improvement there is left in him.

George Vancouver ran a tame race in the Newmarket classic, but so did the stable's 2011 winner Roderic O'Connor and last year's hero Power, so it is far too early to write off his chances. He may need the ground faster than he is due to encounter here, as he came alive on a quick surface in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf in November.

There is a possibility that the outsider of the Ballydoyle runners, Flying the Flag, could be the surprise package of the race. Out of 2008 Irish One Thousand Guineas heroine Halfway to Heaven, he was finishing with real menace when a close-up ninth in the Poulains and has just 1 1/2 lengths to find with Team Valor's First Cornerstone on the form of the Futurity Stakes over seven furlongs here in August.

Trainer Andrew Oliver has committed First Cornerstone, who has not been seen since finishing fourth in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster in October. The Futurity winner will not need fast conditions, so the forecast showers are welcome news to his conditioner.

"First Cornerstone is in good form for the Two Thousand Guineas. Good ground would be fine for him and the only real concern I would have for my horses is if it firms up into real quick ground," Oliver told the Irish Times.

Richard Hannon's classic brigade have not made the impact most expected so far in 2013, but Saturday's Guineas offers another opportunity for the stable and their solid campaigner Van Der Neer.

Third in Newmarket's Two Thousand Guineas three weeks ago, Saeed Manana's likeable performer was building on the promise he had shown at two when runner-up to Kingsbarns in Doncaster's Racing Post Trophy and when successful in his sophomore bow in the April 6 International Trial Stakes on Lingfield's Polytrack last out.

Van Der Neer is joined by Qatar Racing Limited & CSH's Havana Gold, who was a close-up fifth in a blanket finish in the Poule d'Essai des Poulains at Longchamp 13 days ago.

"Van der Neer has done two nice bits of work since he ran so well to finish third at Newmarket and, though he is never spectacular in the mornings, he looked the part when breezing at Herridge on Wednesday morning and the stiff uphill finish should suit him," Richard Hannon Jr. said.

"Havana Gold takes his racing well, so while this comes quickly after his super run in the French Guineas, we feel it is worth the gamble. Jamie Spencer enjoyed such a dream run up the rails at Longchamp that he actually got there too soon, and the plan is to hold him up longer this time."

Saturday's contest is as notable for its withdrawals as its final acceptors, with Jim Bolger scratching last year's Group 1 Criterium International scorer Loch Garman and set to be represented only by Thursday's Dante Stakes runner-up Trading Leather.

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O'Brien seeking record ninth win in Irish Two Thousand Guineas

Aidan O'Brien on Thursday declared four of the original eight entries for Saturday's Group 1 Irish Two Thousand Guineas, with Joseph O'Brien booked for Magician as the stable seeks to improve on their record eight winners.

While the last five of O'Brien's winners had tackled the Newmarket equivalent beforehand, this year's prime candidate is dropping down in trip having impressed over the 10 furlongs of the Dee Stakes at Chester when last seen on May 10. Many saw him as a Derby prospect immediately after that four-length romp on the Roodeye, so it was a mild surprise that Magician reverts to the course and distance over which he registered a six-length maiden score at the expense of the subsequent Group performer Bunairgead in October.

"He's a Galileo with a very fast pedigree," his trainer told PA Sport. "He showed he got a mile and a quarter well at Chester, whether he'd get a mile and a half I'm not absolutely sure, but Chester's a sharp, fast track and he looked like he wouldn't have a problem dropping back to a mile."

Magician takes up the leading role from the absent Cristoforo Colombo and Mars, and will be joined by stablemate George Vancouver, who was unplaced in the Two Thousand Guineas at Newmarket on May 4, as well as Gale Force Ten and Flying the Flag, the respective fourth- and ninth-place runners in the Poule d'Essai des Poulains (French Two Thousand Guineas) at Longchamp on May 12.

Runner-up in the Norfolk Stakes over five furlongs at Royal Ascot in June and Newmarket's Middle Park Stakes going six in October, Gale Force Ten possesses a fair share of speed along with his fellow barnmate George Vancouver. The former had more of a straightforward passage through the Poule d'Essai des Poulains than the colt who finished a short head behind him, Havana Gold, but it is hard to quantify how much improvement there is left in him.

George Vancouver ran a tame race in the Newmarket classic, but so did the stable's 2011 winner Roderic O'Connor and last year's hero Power, so it is far too early to write off his chances. He may need the ground faster than he is due to encounter here, as he came alive on a quick surface in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf in November.

There is a possibility that the outsider of the Ballydoyle runners, Flying the Flag, could be the surprise package of the race. Out of 2008 Irish One Thousand Guineas heroine Halfway to Heaven, he was finishing with real menace when a close-up ninth in the Poulains and has just 1 1/2 lengths to find with Team Valor's First Cornerstone on the form of the Futurity Stakes over seven furlongs here in August.

Trainer Andrew Oliver has committed First Cornerstone, who has not been seen since finishing fourth in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster in October. The Futurity winner will not need fast conditions, so the forecast showers are welcome news to his conditioner.

"First Cornerstone is in good form for the Two Thousand Guineas. Good ground would be fine for him and the only real concern I would have for my horses is if it firms up into real quick ground," Oliver told the Irish Times.

Richard Hannon's classic brigade have not made the impact most expected so far in 2013, but Saturday's Guineas offers another opportunity for the stable and their solid campaigner Van Der Neer.

Third in Newmarket's Two Thousand Guineas three weeks ago, Saeed Manana's likeable performer was building on the promise he had shown at two when runner-up to Kingsbarns in Doncaster's Racing Post Trophy and when successful in his sophomore bow in the April 6 International Trial Stakes on Lingfield's Polytrack last out.

Van Der Neer is joined by Qatar Racing Limited & CSH's Havana Gold, who was a close-up fifth in a blanket finish in the Poule d'Essai des Poulains at Longchamp 13 days ago.

"Van der Neer has done two nice bits of work since he ran so well to finish third at Newmarket and, though he is never spectacular in the mornings, he looked the part when breezing at Herridge on Wednesday morning and the stiff uphill finish should suit him," Richard Hannon Jr. said.

"Havana Gold takes his racing well, so while this comes quickly after his super run in the French Guineas, we feel it is worth the gamble. Jamie Spencer enjoyed such a dream run up the rails at Longchamp that he actually got there too soon, and the plan is to hold him up longer this time."

Saturday's contest is as notable for its withdrawals as its final acceptors, with Jim Bolger scratching last year's Group 1 Criterium International scorer Loch Garman and set to be represented only by Thursday's Dante Stakes runner-up Trading Leather.

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Irish One Thousand Guineas attracts 16 fillies

Just the Judge will face 15 rivals in Sunday's Irish One Thousand Guineas at The Curragh as she bids to regain the winning thread. Beaten a half-length by Sky Lantern when runner-up at Newmarket May 5 in the One Thousand Guineas, the Charlie Hills trainee carries stable confidence as she looks to provide her conditioner with a first classic success.

"We'd have to be pretty optimistic, as she's come out of the race well and she ran her heart out there doing it the hard way," commented the son of the famed Barry Hills, who carried off this prize in 1993 and 1999. "She has the advantage of having had that run and this is more of a galloping track which will suit her. That is what attracted us to this race.

"She's fit and well, it's a classic and there is no point in bypassing it. We're drawn two, so we're on the rail. We'll just jump her out, we don't want to be trapped two deep on that rail so I imagine we'd go slightly forward."

Sixth in that Newmarket classic was Fred Darling winner Maureen, and the stable companion of Sky Lantern was proving that she stays this trip with a strong finishing effort there.

"We weren't sure going into Newmarket whether she would stay the mile, but she finished the race off better than anything," Richard Hannon Jr. said. "We can be a little bit handier and, though she has a few lengths to find with Just the Judge, we think that she has a good each-way chance."

There were no surprises at Friday's declaration stage, with One Thousand Guineas fifth Snow Queen set to sport a visor for the first time as she heads a trio from Ballydoyle.

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Irish One Thousand Guineas attracts 16 fillies

Just the Judge will face 15 rivals in Sunday's Irish One Thousand Guineas at The Curragh as she bids to regain the winning thread. Beaten a half-length by Sky Lantern when runner-up at Newmarket May 5 in the One Thousand Guineas, the Charlie Hills trainee carries stable confidence as she looks to provide her conditioner with a first classic success.

"We'd have to be pretty optimistic, as she's come out of the race well and she ran her heart out there doing it the hard way," commented the son of the famed Barry Hills, who carried off this prize in 1993 and 1999. "She has the advantage of having had that run and this is more of a galloping track which will suit her. That is what attracted us to this race.

"She's fit and well, it's a classic and there is no point in bypassing it. We're drawn two, so we're on the rail. We'll just jump her out, we don't want to be trapped two deep on that rail so I imagine we'd go slightly forward."

Sixth in that Newmarket classic was Fred Darling winner Maureen, and the stable companion of Sky Lantern was proving that she stays this trip with a strong finishing effort there.

"We weren't sure going into Newmarket whether she would stay the mile, but she finished the race off better than anything," Richard Hannon Jr. said. "We can be a little bit handier and, though she has a few lengths to find with Just the Judge, we think that she has a good each-way chance."

There were no surprises at Friday's declaration stage, with One Thousand Guineas fifth Snow Queen set to sport a visor for the first time as she heads a trio from Ballydoyle.

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BC Turf berth on line in Gran Premio 25 de Mayo

A field of 19 horses has been entered for Saturday's Group 1 Gran Premio 25 de Mayo at San Isidro in Argentina, with the winner receiving the first automatic berth of the year into the Breeders' Cup Turf at Santa Anita Park on November 2.

The Gran Premio 25 de Mayo, to be run at 1 1/2 miles for three-year-olds and up on the turf course, is part of the international Breeders' Cup Challenge, a global series of 67 stakes races whose winners receive automatic berths into a corresponding race of the Breeders' Cup World Championships.

The Gran Premio field is led by three starters coming out of the 1 1/2-mile Clasico Porteno, a Group 3 on April 21 at San Isidro. The six-year-old Soy Carambolo, a son of 2001 Breeders' Cup Mile winner Val Royal, finished third in the Porteno after a six-month layoff for trainer Roberto Pellegatta and jockey Juan Noriega. Fourth in last year's Gran Premio 25 de Mayo, Soy Carambolo won two Group 3 stakes last fall in the Clasico Progresso at San Isidro and the Clasico Vicente Casares at Palermo.

The five-year-old Storm Rancher, who won the Porteno, is trained by Pablo Sahagian and will be ridden by Gustavo Calvente. Last August at San Isidro, the bay son of American-bred Bernstein won the Clasico General Pueyrredon at 1 7/8 miles.

Going Somewhere, the runner-up in the Porteno by 1 1/2 lengths, won the prestigious 1 1/2-mile Carlos Pellegrini last December at San Isidro for trainer Juan Etchechoury. The four-year-old chestnut son of Sulamani will be ridden by Nelito da Cunha.

Breeders' Cup Ltd. will provide special incentives for the Gran Premio 25 de Mayo winner to compete in the Breeders' Cup World Championships. If Saturday's winner is nominated to the Breeders' Cup program by the October 21 pre-entry deadline, the winning stable will have its $60,000 in entry fees into the Championships paid by Breeders' Cup Ltd.

This year, Breeders' Cup will pay a $40,000 travel allowance for all horses based outside of the United States and Canada to run in the World Championships. This includes all runners from Argentina.

Last year, Calidoscopio became the first horse based in Argentina to win a Breeders' Cup World Championships race, capturing the Marathon at Santa Anita Park. Calidoscopio qualified for the Marathon by winning the Clasico Belgrano at Palermo.

The complete 2013 Breeders' Cup Challenge Schedule is available at this link.

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BC Turf berth on line in Gran Premio 25 de Mayo

A field of 19 horses has been entered for Saturday's Group 1 Gran Premio 25 de Mayo at San Isidro in Argentina, with the winner receiving the first automatic berth of the year into the Breeders' Cup Turf at Santa Anita Park on November 2.

The Gran Premio 25 de Mayo, to be run at 1 1/2 miles for three-year-olds and up on the turf course, is part of the international Breeders' Cup Challenge, a global series of 67 stakes races whose winners receive automatic berths into a corresponding race of the Breeders' Cup World Championships.

The Gran Premio field is led by three starters coming out of the 1 1/2-mile Clasico Porteno, a Group 3 on April 21 at San Isidro. The six-year-old Soy Carambolo, a son of 2001 Breeders' Cup Mile winner Val Royal, finished third in the Porteno after a six-month layoff for trainer Roberto Pellegatta and jockey Juan Noriega. Fourth in last year's Gran Premio 25 de Mayo, Soy Carambolo won two Group 3 stakes last fall in the Clasico Progresso at San Isidro and the Clasico Vicente Casares at Palermo.

The five-year-old Storm Rancher, who won the Porteno, is trained by Pablo Sahagian and will be ridden by Gustavo Calvente. Last August at San Isidro, the bay son of American-bred Bernstein won the Clasico General Pueyrredon at 1 7/8 miles.

Going Somewhere, the runner-up in the Porteno by 1 1/2 lengths, won the prestigious 1 1/2-mile Carlos Pellegrini last December at San Isidro for trainer Juan Etchechoury. The four-year-old chestnut son of Sulamani will be ridden by Nelito da Cunha.

Breeders' Cup Ltd. will provide special incentives for the Gran Premio 25 de Mayo winner to compete in the Breeders' Cup World Championships. If Saturday's winner is nominated to the Breeders' Cup program by the October 21 pre-entry deadline, the winning stable will have its $60,000 in entry fees into the Championships paid by Breeders' Cup Ltd.

This year, Breeders' Cup will pay a $40,000 travel allowance for all horses based outside of the United States and Canada to run in the World Championships. This includes all runners from Argentina.

Last year, Calidoscopio became the first horse based in Argentina to win a Breeders' Cup World Championships race, capturing the Marathon at Santa Anita Park. Calidoscopio qualified for the Marathon by winning the Clasico Belgrano at Palermo.

The complete 2013 Breeders' Cup Challenge Schedule is available at this link.

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'NHC Online Challenge' offering five berths to NHC

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) announced Friday that registration is now open for the year's first free "NHC Online Challenge," which will be held June 1.

The top five finishers in the June 1 online tournament will receive berths in the $1.5 million-guaranteed Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship (NHC) in January 2014. The five qualifiers will also receive roundtrip air travel and hotel accommodations for their trip to the 2014 NHC in Las Vegas.

The June 1 "NHC Online Challenge" is the first of four free NHC online tournaments to be held this year. In all, a total of 20 seats to the NHC will be awarded to NHC Tour members qualifying in these free tournaments. Membership ($50) in the 2013 NHC Tour is mandatory to participate in the online tournaments. To sign up for the NHC Tour, please visit ntra.com/nhctour.

The "NHC Online Challenge" requires contestants to place mythical $2 win and place wagers on 10 designated contest races on June 1. The 10 contest races will be posted online by tournament officials on May 30. Selections may be made beginning May 31, after official program numbers have been assigned. All selections must be made no later than one minute prior to the scheduled post time of each mandatory race.

The five players amassing the highest number of points based on the players' earnings (i.e. the highest final bankroll) from all mythical $2 win and place wagers at the end of the competition will receive berths in the January 2014 NHC in Las Vegas, provided that they have a paid membership for the 2013 NHC Tour prior to the start of the tournament.

The NHC Tour is a yearlong bonus series offering additional prize money and qualifying berths to the NHC Final in Las Vegas. NHC Tour benefits include:

For more information about the NHC, please visit ntra.com. For further information or questions about the June 1 tournament, contact Michele Ravencraft of the NTRA at 859-422-2657 or via e-mail at mravencraft@ntra.com.

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'NHC Online Challenge' offering five berths to NHC

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) announced Friday that registration is now open for the year's first free "NHC Online Challenge," which will be held June 1.

The top five finishers in the June 1 online tournament will receive berths in the $1.5 million-guaranteed Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship (NHC) in January 2014. The five qualifiers will also receive roundtrip air travel and hotel accommodations for their trip to the 2014 NHC in Las Vegas.

The June 1 "NHC Online Challenge" is the first of four free NHC online tournaments to be held this year. In all, a total of 20 seats to the NHC will be awarded to NHC Tour members qualifying in these free tournaments. Membership ($50) in the 2013 NHC Tour is mandatory to participate in the online tournaments. To sign up for the NHC Tour, please visit ntra.com/nhctour.

The "NHC Online Challenge" requires contestants to place mythical $2 win and place wagers on 10 designated contest races on June 1. The 10 contest races will be posted online by tournament officials on May 30. Selections may be made beginning May 31, after official program numbers have been assigned. All selections must be made no later than one minute prior to the scheduled post time of each mandatory race.

The five players amassing the highest number of points based on the players' earnings (i.e. the highest final bankroll) from all mythical $2 win and place wagers at the end of the competition will receive berths in the January 2014 NHC in Las Vegas, provided that they have a paid membership for the 2013 NHC Tour prior to the start of the tournament.

The NHC Tour is a yearlong bonus series offering additional prize money and qualifying berths to the NHC Final in Las Vegas. NHC Tour benefits include:

For more information about the NHC, please visit ntra.com. For further information or questions about the June 1 tournament, contact Michele Ravencraft of the NTRA at 859-422-2657 or via e-mail at mravencraft@ntra.com.

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Winning Cause bids to stay perfect on Polytrack in Marine

Winning Cause extended his Polytrack mark to three-for-three in the Lexington (Keeneland/Coady Photography) Winning Cause had enough points to run in the Kentucky Derby after capturing the Lexington Stakes at Keeneland, but connections instead opted to keep him on the Polytrack that suits him so well. The Todd Pletcher trainee will accordingly line up in the next logical spot for a sophomore of his profile -- Sunday's C$150,000 Marine Stakes at Woodbine. The well-bred son of Giant's Causeway brings a perfect three-for-three mark on Polytrack, all at Keeneland. He has yet to win on any other surface, with his best result from four other starts being a runner-up effort in the January 21 Jimmy Winkfield over Aqueduct's inner dirt. Winning Cause has since won two straight at Keeneland's spring meet, taking an April 6 allowance before wheeling back successfully in the April 20 Lexington at this same 1 1/16-mile trip. Julien Leparoux will stay aboard in search of the hat trick. His most dangerous opponent is Up with the Birds, who was also last seen at Keeneland, just missing in the April 5 Transylvania on turf. The Sam-Son Farms homebred sports a two-for-three record on the Woodbine Polytrack. A 3 1/2-length maiden winner in September, he similarly dominated the November 10 Coronation Futurity in his juvenile finale. Up with the Birds wintered at Fair Grounds, where the Malcolm Pierce pupil rallied in time to take the March 2 Black Gold in his prep for the Transylvania.

Ghost Hunter, runner-up to Winning Cause in that Keeneland allowance two back, was most recently a close third in a Churchill Downs allowance on Derby Day. The Ghostzapper colt was edged by the well-regarded Bellarmine and Code West, who has since come back to win impressively at Pimlico and is on course for the June 8 Belmont Stakes. Ghost Hunter was subsequently transferred from Kim Chapman to David Cotey, and he will make his debut for the barn here.

Five Iron has twice finished second in local stakes. Best of the rest behind eventual Canadian Horse of the Year Uncaptured in last September's Swynford, the Brian Lynch colt was a closing runner-up in the April 21 Woodstock last time out. The form was boosted when Woodstock winner Dan the Tin Man came back to score in the Tom Ridge at Presque Isle, but Five Iron has a bit to prove at this longer trip. Completing the short field are recent allowance winner Drenched and Ontario-bred maiden scorer Silent Admirer.

Canadian turf champ Riding the River, shown edging Hotep in the 2012 Nijinsky, will meet him again in the Connaught Cup (WEG/Michael Burns Photography) Later on Sunday, Canadian champion turf male Riding the River returns to action in the Grade 2, C$200,000 Connaught Cup. Only fourth in last year's running of this seven-furlong turf test, the Cotey charge went on to garner the King Edward and Nijinsky. Riding the River concluded his Sovereign-worthy season with a fourth in the September 16 Woodbine Mile to a trio of top-rated horses -- U.S. Horse of the Year Wise Dan, Canadian champion older male Hunters Bay and U.A.E./Irish highweight Cityscape. Reigning Connaught Cup winner Something Extra is back to defend his title, and figures to enjoy the step up in trip from his recent turf dashes. In the five-furlong Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint, he rallied for second to Varsity, and in the 5 1/2-furlong Shakertown at Keeneland last out, he missed by a whisker to Havelock. Michelle Nihei dispatches two from Saratoga -- Grade 3 hero Upgrade and Artest, winner of a turf sprint stakes at the Spa last summer. Others to note are the Reade Baker duo of Bear Tough Tiger and Bear No Joke; Lockout from the Mark Casse barn; stakes veterans Hotep and Artic Fern; and unbeaten Valentino Beauty, who tries stakes company for the first time.

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Winning Cause bids to stay perfect on Polytrack in Marine

Winning Cause extended his Polytrack mark to three-for-three in the Lexington (Keeneland/Coady Photography) Winning Cause had enough points to run in the Kentucky Derby after capturing the Lexington Stakes at Keeneland, but connections instead opted to keep him on the Polytrack that suits him so well. The Todd Pletcher trainee will accordingly line up in the next logical spot for a sophomore of his profile -- Sunday's C$150,000 Marine Stakes at Woodbine. The well-bred son of Giant's Causeway brings a perfect three-for-three mark on Polytrack, all at Keeneland. He has yet to win on any other surface, with his best result from four other starts being a runner-up effort in the January 21 Jimmy Winkfield over Aqueduct's inner dirt. Winning Cause has since won two straight at Keeneland's spring meet, taking an April 6 allowance before wheeling back successfully in the April 20 Lexington at this same 1 1/16-mile trip. Julien Leparoux will stay aboard in search of the hat trick. His most dangerous opponent is Up with the Birds, who was also last seen at Keeneland, just missing in the April 5 Transylvania on turf. The Sam-Son Farms homebred sports a two-for-three record on the Woodbine Polytrack. A 3 1/2-length maiden winner in September, he similarly dominated the November 10 Coronation Futurity in his juvenile finale. Up with the Birds wintered at Fair Grounds, where the Malcolm Pierce pupil rallied in time to take the March 2 Black Gold in his prep for the Transylvania.

Ghost Hunter, runner-up to Winning Cause in that Keeneland allowance two back, was most recently a close third in a Churchill Downs allowance on Derby Day. The Ghostzapper colt was edged by the well-regarded Bellarmine and Code West, who has since come back to win impressively at Pimlico and is on course for the June 8 Belmont Stakes. Ghost Hunter was subsequently transferred from Kim Chapman to David Cotey, and he will make his debut for the barn here.

Five Iron has twice finished second in local stakes. Best of the rest behind eventual Canadian Horse of the Year Uncaptured in last September's Swynford, the Brian Lynch colt was a closing runner-up in the April 21 Woodstock last time out. The form was boosted when Woodstock winner Dan the Tin Man came back to score in the Tom Ridge at Presque Isle, but Five Iron has a bit to prove at this longer trip. Completing the short field are recent allowance winner Drenched and Ontario-bred maiden scorer Silent Admirer.

Canadian turf champ Riding the River, shown edging Hotep in the 2012 Nijinsky, will meet him again in the Connaught Cup (WEG/Michael Burns Photography) Later on Sunday, Canadian champion turf male Riding the River returns to action in the Grade 2, C$200,000 Connaught Cup. Only fourth in last year's running of this seven-furlong turf test, the Cotey charge went on to garner the King Edward and Nijinsky. Riding the River concluded his Sovereign-worthy season with a fourth in the September 16 Woodbine Mile to a trio of top-rated horses -- U.S. Horse of the Year Wise Dan, Canadian champion older male Hunters Bay and U.A.E./Irish highweight Cityscape. Reigning Connaught Cup winner Something Extra is back to defend his title, and figures to enjoy the step up in trip from his recent turf dashes. In the five-furlong Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint, he rallied for second to Varsity, and in the 5 1/2-furlong Shakertown at Keeneland last out, he missed by a whisker to Havelock. Michelle Nihei dispatches two from Saratoga -- Grade 3 hero Upgrade and Artest, winner of a turf sprint stakes at the Spa last summer. Others to note are the Reade Baker duo of Bear Tough Tiger and Bear No Joke; Lockout from the Mark Casse barn; stakes veterans Hotep and Artic Fern; and unbeaten Valentino Beauty, who tries stakes company for the first time.

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Starformer the one to catch in Sheepshead Bay

Starformer has the advantageous early foot to steal the Sheepshead Bay (Kenny Martin/Adam Coglianese Photography) Starformer, who stole a pair of graded stakes on the front end last season, might be in a position to do so again when she breaks from post 1 in Saturday's Grade 2, $200,000 Sheepshead Bay at Belmont Park. The 1 3/8-mile test over the Widener turf has attracted a highly competitive field of eight older fillies and mares. A homebred campaigned by Juddmonte Farms, Starformer won or placed in five of seven outings last season, including wire-to-wire victories in a pair of Grade 3s: the Robert G. Dick Memorial over 1 3/8 miles at Delaware Park, and the Long Island Handicap over 1 1/2 miles at Aqueduct. Although she showed versatility taking the February 16 The Very One at Gulfstream from slightly off the pace, the five-year-old mare should be well positioned to take an early lead here at the hedge in what looks on paper like a paceless affair. Edgar Prado, who has four wins and a second the last five times he's ridden the Bill Mott trainee, will be reunited with her for the Sheepshead Bay.

Mystical Star, controversially disqualified from third to eighth in last year's Sheepshead Bay after breaking through the gate before the start, seeks to snap a five-race losing skid. The 2012 New York heroine fell a neck short of catching Starformer in the Long Island last November, and fell victim to a slow pace in both the Hillsborough at Tampa Bay Downs and the Doubledogdare at Keeneland in her two outings this year.

Strathnaver has transformed from a low-level handicap performer in Britain to a graded stakes winner since her importation over the winter. Now residing in the barn of Graham Motion, the Oasis Dream filly won at first asking for her new trainer in a Gulfstream allowance, and then overcame a 13-length deficit to win the 1 1/2-mile Bewitch at Keeneland going away by a length as an 18-1 longshot.

Hessonite, the New York-bred mare who turned in an explosive sixteenth-mile burst to claim the Beaugay earlier this month, will attempt to win for the first time beyond nine furlongs. The David Donk-trained daughter of Freud has won five of nine over the Belmont lawn, though the Beaugay was her first ever success against open stakes company.

Three of the top four finishers from the May 1 Owsley, a 1 1/4-mile overnight stakes, return for the Sheepshead Bay. Julie's Love endured a pocket trip before getting out and up by a half-length to post the 6-1 upset of that race, with 29-1 longshot Minakshi second in her U.S. debut. Fourth was Group 3 winner Tannery, who has not placed in this country since a third in the Garden City for three-year-olds last September.

The field is rounded out by Anjaz, a handicap performer in England who was fourth in the Orchid at Gulfstream in her American bow.

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Starformer the one to catch in Sheepshead Bay

Starformer has the advantageous early foot to steal the Sheepshead Bay (Kenny Martin/Adam Coglianese Photography) Starformer, who stole a pair of graded stakes on the front end last season, might be in a position to do so again when she breaks from post 1 in Saturday's Grade 2, $200,000 Sheepshead Bay at Belmont Park. The 1 3/8-mile test over the Widener turf has attracted a highly competitive field of eight older fillies and mares. A homebred campaigned by Juddmonte Farms, Starformer won or placed in five of seven outings last season, including wire-to-wire victories in a pair of Grade 3s: the Robert G. Dick Memorial over 1 3/8 miles at Delaware Park, and the Long Island Handicap over 1 1/2 miles at Aqueduct. Although she showed versatility taking the February 16 The Very One at Gulfstream from slightly off the pace, the five-year-old mare should be well positioned to take an early lead here at the hedge in what looks on paper like a paceless affair. Edgar Prado, who has four wins and a second the last five times he's ridden the Bill Mott trainee, will be reunited with her for the Sheepshead Bay.

Mystical Star, controversially disqualified from third to eighth in last year's Sheepshead Bay after breaking through the gate before the start, seeks to snap a five-race losing skid. The 2012 New York heroine fell a neck short of catching Starformer in the Long Island last November, and fell victim to a slow pace in both the Hillsborough at Tampa Bay Downs and the Doubledogdare at Keeneland in her two outings this year.

Strathnaver has transformed from a low-level handicap performer in Britain to a graded stakes winner since her importation over the winter. Now residing in the barn of Graham Motion, the Oasis Dream filly won at first asking for her new trainer in a Gulfstream allowance, and then overcame a 13-length deficit to win the 1 1/2-mile Bewitch at Keeneland going away by a length as an 18-1 longshot.

Hessonite, the New York-bred mare who turned in an explosive sixteenth-mile burst to claim the Beaugay earlier this month, will attempt to win for the first time beyond nine furlongs. The David Donk-trained daughter of Freud has won five of nine over the Belmont lawn, though the Beaugay was her first ever success against open stakes company.

Three of the top four finishers from the May 1 Owsley, a 1 1/4-mile overnight stakes, return for the Sheepshead Bay. Julie's Love endured a pocket trip before getting out and up by a half-length to post the 6-1 upset of that race, with 29-1 longshot Minakshi second in her U.S. debut. Fourth was Group 3 winner Tannery, who has not placed in this country since a third in the Garden City for three-year-olds last September.

The field is rounded out by Anjaz, a handicap performer in England who was fourth in the Orchid at Gulfstream in her American bow.

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Arlington kicks off 2013 stakes season with a Grade 3 smorgasbord

General Election will take on 11 fellow sophomores while trying turf for the first time in the Arlington Classic (Pat Lang Photography) A trio of Grade 3 races on Saturday will not only kick off the Memorial Day holiday weekend at Arlington Park, but will also serve as the curtain raisers on the track's 25-event, $5.5 million stakes slate. Two of Saturday's main events will be run on the Polytrack while the third will be contested over Arlington's grass course. The lone turf race in the stakes troika is the $150,000 Arlington Classic for three-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles. The race, which serves as the first leg of Arlington's Mid-America Triple, drew a full field of 12, including Admiral Kitten, second in the Grade 2 American Turf at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Oaks Day. The Mike Maker-trained Kitten's Joy colt has never finished worse than second in three turf starts and will have Mike Smith aboard. Among those slated to face Admiral Kitten in the Arlington Classic is Fordubai, runner-up in the Grade 3 Illinois Derby last month. The Greg Geier-trained son of E Dubai broke his maiden last fall in his only try on turf, and gets a jockey switch to Kent Desormeaux for Saturday's return to the green. Stakes winners Brown Almighty, General Election and Procurement have also been entered in the Arlington Classic. The former, a Big Brown colt trained by Tim Ice, broke his maiden over this course last summer before shipping south to annex the Sunny's Halo at Louisiana Downs. Eddie Castro will be in the irons for the first time Saturday.

General Election will be making his turf debut for trainer Kellyn Gorder in the Arlington Classic. The Harlan's Holiday bay captured the John Battaglia Memorial on Turfway Park's Polytrack in early March and keeps the services of jockey Joe Rocco Jr., who guided General Election to a runner-up placing in the Grade 3 Lexington over Keeneland's Polytrack last out in April.

Procurement invades from Santa Anita Park for trainer Tom Proctor. The bay son of Milwaukee Brew won the La Puente over that track's turf course on April 21 beneath Garrett Gomez, who has been aboard Procurement in his last four starts and gets the return call.

Trainer Danny Peitz could have a live longshot in the Arlington Classic in Yorkshire Icon, an English-bred recent acquisition who is exiting an impressive May 4 allowance win on the Arlington turf.

"We were pleasantly surprised. He settled out the back and ran right by them like a horse who could be useful," Peitz said of the small bay son of Sixties Icon. "We don't know what's going to be in (the Arlington Classic), but we are taking a shot here."

Yorkshire Icon comes from a European female family flush with endurance influences and intense closing speed. This often also means that he may appreciate a little bit of cut in the ground -- which proved true when he won his allowance on yielding ground and his maiden in England over soft going.

"It wouldn't bother us if we get a little bit rain. He proved the other day that he likes it. And, he seems like he's come out well and is moving forward -- he seems very happy," Peitz said.

Coming from 16 lengths behind a dawdling pace of 1:15.17 for the first six furlongs, Yorkshire Icon, despite being on the petite side, made massive strides down the stretch to easily best the field by a little over a length -- making up six lengths in the last quarter and rewarding his backers at a nice 28-1.

"I'm hoping he runs well enough to keep running in the (Mid-America Triple)," Peitz added. "He will probably get better as the races get longer."

Nates Mineshaft returns to action following an 11-month layoff (Amanda Hodges Weir/Hodges Photography) One race prior to the Arlington Classic, the $150,000 Hanshin Cup at a mile over Polytrack attracted 10 older horses topped by Nates Mineshaft. The six-year-old ridgling son of Mineshaft has not raced since finishing third in the Grade 1 Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs last June, but prior to that had won the Grade 2 New Orleans Handicap, Grade 3 Lone Star Park Handicap and Grade 3 Mineshaft Handicap. Relatively lightly raced, Nates Mineshaft was a respectable third to Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap winner Ron the Greek and eventual Horse of the Year Wise Dan in the Foster to become Grade 1-placed. Since then, he was entered in last fall's Hawthorne Gold Cup (G2), but was withdrawn and given additional rest until now. "We have been waiting a long time to run him. He was never injured, he just had time off, and he's fit and happy right now," explained trainer Anne Smith from her Arlington barn. "The timing of the race is perfect. We want to see if, at age six, he still wants to be competitive. We'll know more about where he is after the race. "He's training like we're doing the right thing by entering. He doesn't seem to train super fast, but he definitely is fast in his race. He's had some easy works and I like how relaxed he is." A good performance in the Hanshin could lead to bigger and better things at Arlington for the handicapper.

"In a perfect world, we'd like to keep him here and see if he takes to the grass," Smith stated. "The owners are local and want to see him race here in Illinois at Arlington."

E.T. Baird has the call on Nates Mineshaft, who will be making his first start on a synthetic course since his lone try in December 2011 at Turfway Park.

"Right now he's telling me that he handles this track just fine," Smith commented.

Among those lining up against Nates Mineshaft is Mister Marti Gras, who ran second in the Grade 3 Washington Park Handicap last fall in his last appearance at Arlington. The Belong to Me six-year-old gelding has been competitive in several starts since, including two wins at Hawthorne last fall.

Ice Cream Silence faces a rematch with Sisterhood in the Arlington Matron (Keeneland/Coady Photography) Completing the trifecta of stakes races on Saturday will be the $150,000 Arlington Matron for fillies and mares at 1 1/8 miles on the Polytrack. Lotta Lovin is a proven stakes winner on Polytrack and invades the race for trainer Mike Maker. The daughter of Repent has taken six of her seven victories over all-weather surfaces, including a 10 1/4-length romp in the January 19 Likely Exchange on Turfway Park's Polytrack. Mike Smith has been named to ride the four-year-old miss, who was last seen finishing fifth in the Grade 3 Doubledogdare on Keeneland's version of that synthetic track. Ice Cream Silence triumphed in the Doubledogdare in her last trip to post, and the four-year-old Street Sense filly could prove tough in here for trainer Rusty Arnold. Also exiting that race is runner-up Sisterhood, who just missed by a neck and will be looking to turn the tables on Ice Cream Silence. Ausus didn't compete in the Doubledogdare, but is also exiting a start at Keeneland for Peitz. The four-year-old Invasor filly finished fifth in the Grade 1 Jenny Wiley going 8 1/2 furlongs on that Kentucky track's turf, and her trainer is looking forward to trying Ausus at a longer distance in the Arlington Matron.

"She ran behind four Grade 1 winners. She didn't disgrace herself. I wish we would have had more pace to run at, but that's how it goes. We knew we were taking a shot and she's a good filly," Peitz explained, before adding that he believes the chestnut lass will appreciate the conditions of the race.

"She broke her maiden here and likes the Polytrack. She will really appreciate the two turns here, too. She seems to run well on everything. I'm looking to run her in the (Grade 3) Modesty (on July 13) after this, and I thought this was a good spot to hopefully get us there.

"She has gone from a two-year-old who didn't look like much to competitive in a Grade 1. I'm glad to keep her in training. She's an Invasor and I think she will get better. I don't think she's going to embarrass us. We're going to see something and find out how much she's improved. We would definitely like to get to the (Grade 1) Beverly D. (on August 17)," the horseman concluded.

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Arlington kicks off 2013 stakes season with a Grade 3 smorgasbord

General Election will take on 11 fellow sophomores while trying turf for the first time in the Arlington Classic (Pat Lang Photography) A trio of Grade 3 races on Saturday will not only kick off the Memorial Day holiday weekend at Arlington Park, but will also serve as the curtain raisers on the track's 25-event, $5.5 million stakes slate. Two of Saturday's main events will be run on the Polytrack while the third will be contested over Arlington's grass course. The lone turf race in the stakes troika is the $150,000 Arlington Classic for three-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles. The race, which serves as the first leg of Arlington's Mid-America Triple, drew a full field of 12, including Admiral Kitten, second in the Grade 2 American Turf at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Oaks Day. The Mike Maker-trained Kitten's Joy colt has never finished worse than second in three turf starts and will have Mike Smith aboard. Among those slated to face Admiral Kitten in the Arlington Classic is Fordubai, runner-up in the Grade 3 Illinois Derby last month. The Greg Geier-trained son of E Dubai broke his maiden last fall in his only try on turf, and gets a jockey switch to Kent Desormeaux for Saturday's return to the green. Stakes winners Brown Almighty, General Election and Procurement have also been entered in the Arlington Classic. The former, a Big Brown colt trained by Tim Ice, broke his maiden over this course last summer before shipping south to annex the Sunny's Halo at Louisiana Downs. Eddie Castro will be in the irons for the first time Saturday.

General Election will be making his turf debut for trainer Kellyn Gorder in the Arlington Classic. The Harlan's Holiday bay captured the John Battaglia Memorial on Turfway Park's Polytrack in early March and keeps the services of jockey Joe Rocco Jr., who guided General Election to a runner-up placing in the Grade 3 Lexington over Keeneland's Polytrack last out in April.

Procurement invades from Santa Anita Park for trainer Tom Proctor. The bay son of Milwaukee Brew won the La Puente over that track's turf course on April 21 beneath Garrett Gomez, who has been aboard Procurement in his last four starts and gets the return call.

Trainer Danny Peitz could have a live longshot in the Arlington Classic in Yorkshire Icon, an English-bred recent acquisition who is exiting an impressive May 4 allowance win on the Arlington turf.

"We were pleasantly surprised. He settled out the back and ran right by them like a horse who could be useful," Peitz said of the small bay son of Sixties Icon. "We don't know what's going to be in (the Arlington Classic), but we are taking a shot here."

Yorkshire Icon comes from a European female family flush with endurance influences and intense closing speed. This often also means that he may appreciate a little bit of cut in the ground -- which proved true when he won his allowance on yielding ground and his maiden in England over soft going.

"It wouldn't bother us if we get a little bit rain. He proved the other day that he likes it. And, he seems like he's come out well and is moving forward -- he seems very happy," Peitz said.

Coming from 16 lengths behind a dawdling pace of 1:15.17 for the first six furlongs, Yorkshire Icon, despite being on the petite side, made massive strides down the stretch to easily best the field by a little over a length -- making up six lengths in the last quarter and rewarding his backers at a nice 28-1.

"I'm hoping he runs well enough to keep running in the (Mid-America Triple)," Peitz added. "He will probably get better as the races get longer."

Nates Mineshaft returns to action following an 11-month layoff (Amanda Hodges Weir/Hodges Photography) One race prior to the Arlington Classic, the $150,000 Hanshin Cup at a mile over Polytrack attracted 10 older horses topped by Nates Mineshaft. The six-year-old ridgling son of Mineshaft has not raced since finishing third in the Grade 1 Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs last June, but prior to that had won the Grade 2 New Orleans Handicap, Grade 3 Lone Star Park Handicap and Grade 3 Mineshaft Handicap. Relatively lightly raced, Nates Mineshaft was a respectable third to Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap winner Ron the Greek and eventual Horse of the Year Wise Dan in the Foster to become Grade 1-placed. Since then, he was entered in last fall's Hawthorne Gold Cup (G2), but was withdrawn and given additional rest until now. "We have been waiting a long time to run him. He was never injured, he just had time off, and he's fit and happy right now," explained trainer Anne Smith from her Arlington barn. "The timing of the race is perfect. We want to see if, at age six, he still wants to be competitive. We'll know more about where he is after the race. "He's training like we're doing the right thing by entering. He doesn't seem to train super fast, but he definitely is fast in his race. He's had some easy works and I like how relaxed he is." A good performance in the Hanshin could lead to bigger and better things at Arlington for the handicapper.

"In a perfect world, we'd like to keep him here and see if he takes to the grass," Smith stated. "The owners are local and want to see him race here in Illinois at Arlington."

E.T. Baird has the call on Nates Mineshaft, who will be making his first start on a synthetic course since his lone try in December 2011 at Turfway Park.

"Right now he's telling me that he handles this track just fine," Smith commented.

Among those lining up against Nates Mineshaft is Mister Marti Gras, who ran second in the Grade 3 Washington Park Handicap last fall in his last appearance at Arlington. The Belong to Me six-year-old gelding has been competitive in several starts since, including two wins at Hawthorne last fall.

Ice Cream Silence faces a rematch with Sisterhood in the Arlington Matron (Keeneland/Coady Photography) Completing the trifecta of stakes races on Saturday will be the $150,000 Arlington Matron for fillies and mares at 1 1/8 miles on the Polytrack. Lotta Lovin is a proven stakes winner on Polytrack and invades the race for trainer Mike Maker. The daughter of Repent has taken six of her seven victories over all-weather surfaces, including a 10 1/4-length romp in the January 19 Likely Exchange on Turfway Park's Polytrack. Mike Smith has been named to ride the four-year-old miss, who was last seen finishing fifth in the Grade 3 Doubledogdare on Keeneland's version of that synthetic track. Ice Cream Silence triumphed in the Doubledogdare in her last trip to post, and the four-year-old Street Sense filly could prove tough in here for trainer Rusty Arnold. Also exiting that race is runner-up Sisterhood, who just missed by a neck and will be looking to turn the tables on Ice Cream Silence. Ausus didn't compete in the Doubledogdare, but is also exiting a start at Keeneland for Peitz. The four-year-old Invasor filly finished fifth in the Grade 1 Jenny Wiley going 8 1/2 furlongs on that Kentucky track's turf, and her trainer is looking forward to trying Ausus at a longer distance in the Arlington Matron.

"She ran behind four Grade 1 winners. She didn't disgrace herself. I wish we would have had more pace to run at, but that's how it goes. We knew we were taking a shot and she's a good filly," Peitz explained, before adding that he believes the chestnut lass will appreciate the conditions of the race.

"She broke her maiden here and likes the Polytrack. She will really appreciate the two turns here, too. She seems to run well on everything. I'm looking to run her in the (Grade 3) Modesty (on July 13) after this, and I thought this was a good spot to hopefully get us there.

"She has gone from a two-year-old who didn't look like much to competitive in a Grade 1. I'm glad to keep her in training. She's an Invasor and I think she will get better. I don't think she's going to embarrass us. We're going to see something and find out how much she's improved. We would definitely like to get to the (Grade 1) Beverly D. (on August 17)," the horseman concluded.

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In brief

In Excess, an Irish-bred son of Siberian Express who became one of the most dominant sires in California, passed away May 17 at Vessels Stallion Farm from the infirmities of age at 26. He had been pensioned in 2011. "He was an old man and he's in a better place," farm manager Kevin Dickson said. "The last couple of weeks, he just didn't look like himself." In Excess was buried on the farm next to another late Vessels stallion, Free House, Dickson said. A four-time Grade 1 winner on the track, In Excess went on to sire 18 crops with earnings of more than $44 million, including 56 black-type winners such as Musical Chimes, Romance is Diane, Excessivepleasure, Above Perfection and future stallions Indian Charlie and Notional. In Excess's career began on the grass in England, but his biggest wins were on dirt tracks in New York -- the Suburban, Metropolitan, Woodward and Whitney handicaps. He earned more than $1.7 million, with 11 wins in 25 starts. In Excess began his stud career at Rancho Why Worry in 1993 and was the Golden State's leading sire in 2002 and 2003, leading sire of two-year-olds in his freshman season of 1996, as well as in 2000, 2002 and 2004. In Excess sired 16 California champions as well as millionaires Texcess and Valentine Dancer. "He was basically dropped off at our front door when Mike Pegram went to Kentucky to try and organize for him to stand at stud there," Scoop Vessels, the late owner of the farm, said in 2003 when explaining how In Excess and Vessells conected. "When In Excess got off the trailer, I fell in love with him. For some reason, I just knew this was the horse for us, so I immediately made a deal over the phone with Mike to purchase half of him." Vessels said he and Pegram turned down lucrative Kentucky offers to keep In Excess in California. "I believed in the California-bred incentive program as I felt he was the right kind of horse for it, so I went about syndicating him which was done in only three or four days," Vessels said...

Jockey Jesus Castanon was not seriously injured when he was unseated in Thursday's 9TH race at Churchill Downs after his mount, Kruthen (Indian Charlie), stumbled and then fell at the start. "He's a little sore, but he's fine," agent Terry "Jaws" Miller said. "He will ride today (Friday)." Castanon is named on six horses on the Friday card at Churchill. Jack Bohannon, assistant to trainer Rusty Arnold, reported Kruthen was uninjured as well...

Mylute (Midnight Lute) returned to the track Friday for the first time since finishing third behind Oxbow (Awesome Again) and Itsmyluckyday (Lawyer Ron) in last Saturday's Preakness (G1). The Tom Amoss pupil jogged beneath the Twin Spires under Maurice Sanchez shortly after the Churchill track opened for training at 6 a.m. (EDT). "He's doing well and everything went well this morning," Amoss said. The next start for Mylute has not been determined; however, it will not be the Belmont (G1) on June 8...

Teardrop (Tapit), a two-year-old half-sister to Grade 1 winner and $1.6 million earner Pyro (Pulpit), had quite an eventful first start in Thursday's 3RD race at Churchill Downs. After breaking slowly in the field of seven, Teardrop raced nearly eight wide throughout, but found her best stride in the stretch and kicked on to win by 3 3/4 lengths under Rosie Napravnik. "She had never made a mistake in the morning and didn't do anything right in the afternoon," trainer Steve Asmussen said. "That's how it can go. Obviously, she has a tremendous amount of talent and I was very pleased with her this morning." Asmussen said the Winchell Thoroughbreds homebred could make her next start in the $100,000-added Debutante at Churchill Downs on June 22. Teardrop's victory was one of three on the afternoon for Asmussen, who is second behind Mike Maker in the trainer standings with 12 wins from 32 starters. Maker has saddled 13 winners from 37 starters. "Hopefully we can keep getting in the right spots and having a little success," Asmussen said...

No Distinction (With Distinction) came out of his victory in Sunday's 9TH race at Churchill in good order, according to trainer Randy Morse. It was the second consecutive win for No Distinction, who turned heads when breaking his maiden at Oaklawn by 8 1/4 lengths in April. Morse mentioned the Woody Stephens (G2) on the Belmont Stakes undercard on June 8 as a possible next spot for the Florida-bred sophomore...

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert is just one win shy of his 100th Churchill Downs victory. The milestone could come as early as Saturday when Baffert sends out Hoorayforhollywood (Storm Cat) in the 10TH race...

Settled in rear early by Gerald Mosse in Friday's Prix Corrida (Fr-G2) at Saint-Cloud, Grace Lady (Muhtathir) was the most animated to emerge from the bunch as the field fanned across the track at the top of the stretch. Striking the front approaching the furlong pole, she drew away from the blanket in behind, from which Fate emerged as her closer pursuant. Previously trained by Michel Mace, Grace Lady had a steadily-progressive profile last term and was second on her black-type debut in this venue's Prix Coronation in September. Third in the Prix Casimir Delamarre over another furlong the following month, the bay returned for the little-known Tatiana Puitg stable to annexe the Prix Jacques Laffitte also over nine furlongs at Maisons-Laffitte April 4 and had run into traffic when just over three lengths ninth in the Prix Allez France (Fr-G3) over 10 furlongs at Chantilly April 29. "Last time in the Allez France, she was quite unlucky and would have finished in the frame with a clear run," Ecurie Victoria Dreams' racing manager Laurent Benoit said. "She loves very soft ground and that really helped today. Now, there is not much left in France in the program so we will have to wait and see where we go next."...

An unbeaten revelation at two, Reckless Abandon (Exchange Rate) faces his elders in an intriguing renewal of the Temple (Eng-G2) at Haydock Saturday. Rattling up a rare sequence in the Norfolk (Eng-G2) at Royal Ascot in June, Prix Robert Papin (Fr-G2) at Maisons-Laffitte in July, Prix Morny (Fr-G1) at Deauville in August and Middle Park (Eng-G1) at Newmarket in October, the Clive Cox trainee gets only four pounds from the hardened veteran sprinters here. Only the star fillies Fleeting Spirit (Invincible Spirit) and Airwave (Air Express) have managed to upstage the mature brigade in this in recent times, but Reckless Abandon's conditioner is hoping that class will out. "He's in very good form and I'm very happy with him," he told PA Sport. "He has wintered well and hopefully this is a stepping stone to Royal Ascot. It's a shame we don't have a three-year-olds only race at this time of year, but that's the way it is and this is the logical step to take. We certainly hope he can be as effective at both five and six furlongs like last year and we are running him in the right races." Sole Power (Kyllachy), who beat Kingsgate Native (Mujadil) in this two years ago, again has that rival back in second in Newmarket's Palace House (Eng-G3) over this trip three weeks ago. Trainer Edward Lynam told PA Sport, "He seems in good form with himself and won his last start. By all accounts the ground is good at Haydock. It's his fourth run in a couple of months and he's been around a bit. That would be the slight niggle. We're happy with the horse. There are 12 runners; it's not a massive field, so it should be straightforward."...

Starspangledbanner (Choisir) has been retired for the second time and will stand at Rosemont Stud in Australia, it was announced Friday. Placed only once in six starts for Aidan O'Brien after his return from a failed spell at Coolmore, the four-time Group 1-winning dual-hemisphere performer will join Anthony Mithen's establishment, who turned around the fertility issues of another of their residents in Foreplay. "We will be trying some new fertility techniques that weren't available when Star last stood at stud," he explained. "He is a little older and more mature and we take some real heart from the job that was done on Foreplay. Our bloodstock manager Dean Harvey oversaw the transformation of Foreplay from a sub-fertile stallion to a real commercial option, now batting at close to 80 percent fertility. Stem cell treatment really helped and from what we understand, Starspangledbanner and Foreplay's areas of concern are very similar." No fee has been set at this time...

Trainer Steve Asmussen's duo of Master Rick (Master Command) and Prayer for Relief (Jump Start), the respective one-two in the April 27 Texas Mile (G3), renew rivalry over an extra sixteenth in Monday's $300,000 Lone Star Park H. (G3). Although Master Rick rallied to defeat his stablemate by 1 1/4 lengths last time, Prayer for Relief is eligible to move forward in this second start off a layoff, and has plenty of back class as a multiple Grade 2 winner. Only three horses will attempt to break up the Asmussen domination. Battle Hardened (Giant's Causeway), winner of the 2012 Sam F. Davis (G3), returns to stakes company for the first time since disappointing in that spring's Tampa Bay Derby (G2). Transferred to Justin Evans after selling for $80,000 at Keeneland in January, the well-bred chestnut has romped versus allowance rivals in his last two and wheels back off a nine-day break here. Another face from the 2012 Derby trail, Isn't He Clever (Smarty Jones), most recently scored his fourth career stakes victory in the March 24 Bill Thomas Memorial at Sunland. It would be an interesting wrinkle if this Henry Dominguez charge defeats the Asmussen runners, since Isn't He Clever made a couple of unsuccessful starts during a brief sojourn with Asmussen last summer. Rounding out the quintet is Formaggio (Dynaformer), who makes his second start since being claimed for $30,000 by Danny Pish...

Judy the Beauty (Ghostzapper), runner-up in last year's Prioress and an easy winner this spring at Keeneland, tops a competitive field of seven fillies and mares entered for the 10th running of the $100,000 Winning Colors (G3) on Memorial Day Monday at Churchill Downs. Following her second-place finish in the Prioress (G1), Judy the Beauty filled that same spot in the Gallant Bloom H. (G2) at Belmont Park in September, her final race of 2012. In her four-year-old debut, she cruised to a two-length victory in an allowance on Keeneland's Polytrack as the 3-10 favorite. "She ran really well and I was really happy," said Ward, who owns and trains the filly. "We looked at this race because it gives us about five weeks till (the Princess Rooney [G1] at Calder on July 6). I also think dirt is her preferred surface. She trains and runs well on the synthetic, but when you see her breeze on the dirt she really looks great." Joao Moreira, a native of Brazil and three-time champion jockey in Singapore, is scheduled to ride Judy the Beauty on Monday. Moreira, who also has ridden in Australia, Sweden, Germany, South Africa, Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, France and Dubai, will be making his U.S. debut in the Winning Colors. "He's a phenomenal rider and he is on a plane (from Singapore on Friday night)," Ward said. "He is going to ride at Arlington on Saturday and he'll be here (at Churchill Downs) to ride on Sunday and Monday. He wants to be in the United States and hopefully this weekend will open the eyes of other owners and trainers." The main rivals for Judy the Beauty include Funnys Approval (Outrageouslyfunny), winner of the Barbara Fritchie H. (G2) at Laurel Park in February; Blueeyesintherein (Magna Graduate), winner of last year's Debutante (G3) at Churchill Downs and most recently fifth in the Eight Belles (G3); and Burban (Speightstown), runner-up in the Humana Distaff (G1) on the Kentucky Derby Day undercard...

Hudson Landing (Maria's Mon) and Control Seeker (Sought After) were separated by just a nose in last year's $100,000 All American (G3) at Golden Gate Fields after the latter's rider lost the whip at the eighth-pole, and will line up against each one another yet again in the 1 1/16-mile Tapeta contest on Memorial Day Monday. The All American has switched places on the calendar with the Berkeley H. (G3), which will now take place during the fall. Hudson Landing proved best after getting the bobbing win in last year's All American, but has failed to reach the winner's circle in four starts since. The six-year-old gelding ran third in the Berkeley, placed second via disqualification, and took the Mt. Rainier H. at Emerald Downs earlier in 2012, and was last seen finishing sixth in the San Francisco Mile (G3). Control Seeker also contested the San Fran Mile last out, running a one-paced seventh behind the re-opposing Summer Hit (Bertrando), who missed by only a neck after leading throughout that eight-furlong affair in his first attempt against open stakes company. Also lining up Monday will be Positive Response, fourth by just a length in last year's edition of the All American, and dual Grade 2 winner Tres Borrachos (Ecton Park). Positive Response captured the Berkeley last May before being disqualified to fourth and just made his seasonal bow a runner-up effort against optional claiming company on April 6. Tres Borrachos was third at Santa Anita in the Santana Mile in his most recent start on March 31, and returns to Golden Gate Fields for the first time since finishing fourth in the 2008 California Derby. In addition to featuring the All American, Golden Gate will be giving away a free lawn chair on Memorial Day, one per paid admission while supplies last...

Holiday Soiree (Harlan's Holiday) will be dropping in class on Memorial Day Monday as the four-year-old miss takes on six rivals in Monmouth Park's $60,000 Red Cross going six furlongs. The Tevis McCauley trainee was last seen running a close third in the Humana Distaff (G1) at Churchill Downs on the Kentucky Derby undercard and finished second in the Sugar Maple at Charles Town prior to that in late April. That was her first start for McCauley after being saddled by Daniel Smithwick Jr. last season to runner-up placings in the Charles Town Oaks and Safely Kept at Laurel Park. Her main rivals appear to be Silverette (Street Sense), runner-up while making her stakes bow in the Gold Princess last out, and dual stakes winner Srumdiddlyumptious (Roman Ruler), third most recently in the Primonetta at Pimlico. Monmouth will also feature the $60,000 Little Silver sending sophomore fillies a mile on the turf one race later. Bella Castani (Big Brown) captured the Tweedside in her first start for trainer Christophe Clement and will try to make it two in a row on Monday...

Schiaparelli (Ghostzapper), runner-up to Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint heroine and stablemate Mizdirection in the Las Cienegas (G3) last month, will try for her second win over the Hollywood Park grass in the $70,000 Great Lady M. on Sunday. The six-furlong event for older fillies and mares drew a field of six, including the Mike Puype-trained Schiaparelli. The gray mare was collared by her stablemate near the Las Cienegas wire at Santa Anita after having a two length lead with an eighth of a mile to run and wound up a half-length behind Mizdirection at the finish. Schiaparelli returns to Hollywood Park, over which she broke her maiden by 2 1/2 lengths in her June 19, 2011, debut and was third in the Cool Air last November 23. Both races were at the Great Lady M. distance. Trainer Tom Proctor will send out the duo of Customer Base (Lemon Drop Kid), who is cutting back in distance for her first start of 2013, and Purim's Dancer (Purim), also trying a shorter trip after finishing fifth in the one-mile Wilshire H. (G3) on April 28. Customer Base was last seen missing by just a neck in the one-mile Autumn Miss (G3) at Santa Anita on October 27. Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens, fresh off his upset victory aboard Oxbow in the Preakness Stakes, has the call on Purim's Dancer while Garrett Gomez rides Customer Base. Curvy Cat (Ministers Wild Cat) returns to grass for Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer after winning the B. Thoughtful over the Cushion Track on April 27, California Gold Rush Day. Givine (Blackdoun), who will be trying to end a 15-race losing streak, and stakes debuter Greatest Escape (Game Plan), who will be making her first start outside Northern California, completed the Great Lady M. field...

Monmouth Park will play host to a pair of $75,000 stakes for distaffers on Sunday when six line up in the Monmouth Beach going a mile and 70 yards followed by a field of 11 in the Miss Liberty at 1 1/16 miles on the turf. The Monmouth Beach features Daydreamin Gracie (Domestic Dispute), who is exiting a fourth-place run in the Allaire duPont Distaff (G3) on the Preakness Stakes undercard. Prior to that, the gray mare romped by eight lengths in the Shine Again at Pimlico despite a stumbling start. The race will also see the return to action of Cash for Clunkers (Tiznow), last seen finishing last of five in the September 29 Beldame Invitational (G1). The bay five-year-old captured the Heatherten at Belmont last May followed by a runner-up effort in the Ogden Phipps H. (G1). One race later, Grade 3 heroine Ruthenia (Pulpit) returns to the site of her Violet (G3) victory a year ago in the Miss Liberty. The bay mare followed that score by with fourth-placings in the Eatontown H. (G3), Ballston Spa (G2) and Athenia (G3) to close out 2012. Ruthenia returned on May 4 at Belmont, running last of six, beaten just 3 3/4 lengths, in the Beaugay (G3)...

The march toward the June 29 Shoemaker Mile (G1) continues Saturday with the $150,000 American Handicap (G2), a course-and-distance prep for the Shoemaker over Hollywood Park's turf course. The likely favorite is the front-running Obviously (Choisir), who racked up wins last fall in the Del Mar Mile (G2) and Arroyo Seco Mile (G2) before a third in the Breeders' Cup Mile (G1). In his lone outing this year, the five-year-old gelding was nabbed late going downhill at Santa Anita in the San Simeon (G3). The American will mark the U.S. debut for Lucayan (Turtle Bowl), who went unplaced in his final three starts in Europe following a 27-1 upset of the French Two Thousand Guineas (Fr-G1) at Longchamp last May. Now conditioned by Neil Drysdale, Lucayan will be ridden for the first time by a fellow French import, Julien Leparoux. Also in the six-horse lineup are Chosen Miracle (Ghostzapper), who's placed in the San Gabriel (G2) and San Simeon this season, and Drill (Lawyer Ron), a rallying fourth in the San Simeon which marked the colt's turf debut...

Dark Cove (Medaglia d'Oro) will face eight rivals on Saturday as he seeks to add a second straight graded win to his resume in Churchill Downs' $100,000 Louisville Handicap (G3). The Mike Maker trainee was a 4 1/4-length victor of the Elkhorn (G2) over Keeneland's turf on April 26 and will stay at that race's 1 1/2-mile distance for Saturday's grass affair under the Twin Spires. Dark Cove owns two prior tries over the Churchill green, finishing a well-beaten 10th in the Commonwealth Turf (G3) in 2010 and most recently posting a runner-up effort in a 2011 optional claimer. Rosie Napravnik has the call aboard the bay six-year-old, who will be facing Heathcote (Niigon), a 12 1/4-length romper last out when taking the Valedictory (Can-G3) in mid-December; Harrods Creek (Langfuhr), winner of the John's Call at Saratoga in his final appearance of 2012 on August 3; and last year's Belmont Stakes and Breeders' Cup Marathon third-placer, Atigun (Istan), who just scored in his second turf appearance in a May 4 Churchill optional claimer...

In other Louisville 'Cap news, Heathcote arrived at Churchill Downs from Toronto on Thursday morning for Saturday's engagement. "He ran all year last year, so we just gave him a little time after his last race," trainer Paul Attard said. "He just got a few weeks off and then we had him at Palm Meadows in January. So, he's been back in training for quite a while. After spending the winter at Palm Meadows, Heathcote was shipped to Keeneland and worked twice over the Polytrack. "We were thinking of running him in the Elkhorn (G2)," Attard said of the April 26 race at Keeneland. "He was doing well, but we decided to give him a little more time to make sure he was good and ready before we ran him." Despite being run at 1 1/2 miles on turf, the Louisville 'Cap actually will be a cutback in distance for Heathcote, who won the Valedictory at 1 3/4 miles. "I think the distance is OK," Attard said. "Ideally, he probably would like to go farther. I think the 1 3/4 miles was perfect for him, but I don't think it'll be a problem cutting back a quarter-mile, especially for his first start this year." Also, the Louisville 'Cap will be the first start on turf for Heathcote, who has made all seven of his career starts on the Polytrack at Woodbine. "We breezed him on the turf (at Woodbine) last week and he went very well," Attard said, referring to a five-furlong move in 1:01 3/5 last Sunday. Attard was at his barn at Woodbine on Friday morning, but will be at Churchill Downs to saddle Heathcote on Saturday...

Dual Canadian champion Irish Mission (Giant's Causeway) returns to Woodbine on Saturday as part of a seven-distaffer field in the C$200,000 Nassau (Can-G2) going a mile on the turf. The Mark Frostad pupil captured last year's Woodbine Oaks over the Polytrack prior to a runner-up effort in the Queen's Plate against the boys. She would go on to finish sixth on the Fort Erie dirt in the second leg of the Canadian Triple Crown, the Prince of Wales, before taking the 1 1/2-mile third jewel, the Breeders', on Woodbine's turf in her penultimate start of 2012. Irish Mission made her return to competition on February 28 at Gulfstream Park, running second in an optional claimer before filling the third spot in the Orchid (G3) in her last start on March 30. Earlier on Woodbine's Saturday program, a field of seven sophomore fillies will line up in the C$125,000 Lady Angela, and Rootham Triple E's (Weather Warning) will try to return to the winner's circle after a sixth-place effort in the Fury on May 4. The bay miss captured the Star Shoot to open her 2013 campaign...

Csaba (Kitten's Joy) tops a field of 10 entered in Saturday's $75,000 Memorial Handicap at Calder. The four-year-old colt reeled off consecutive wins this winter in the Tropical Park Derby, Fred Hooper (G3), Harlan's Holiday and Hal's Hope (G3) before finishing fifth in the Donn Handicap (G1) and has been freshened 105 days in advance of this assignment by trainer Phil Gleaves. Manoel Cruz picks up the mount. Rule Number Six (Repent) and Megamove (High Cotton), the two respective finishers from the May 5 Sumter at Calder, will both return in this spot and Grade 2 winner Eldaafer (A.P. Indy) figures to appreciate the class relief following a fifth in the Grade 3 Skip Away last out. Other contestants include Isutalkintome (Flashy Bull), Ducduc (Langfuhr) and Flatter This (Flatter)...

Winning Image (Southern Image), last seen posting a comfortable score in the Willa on the Move at Laurel Park in mid-December, will make a title defense in Saturday's $75,000 My Juliet at Parx Racing. A four-time stakes heroine, the Michael Aro-trained mare will make her 2013 debut against five rivals and has been listed as the 8-5 favorite on the morning line for the six-furlong test. Regular rider Jose Caraballo will be up. Ruffian (G2) winner Withgreatpleasure (Hold That Tiger) is scheduled to wheel back a week later after finishing third in the Vagrancy (G2) and Villette (Petionville) will step up to face graded rivals following an easy triumph in the April 13 Foxy JG at Parx over state-bred foes. Stakes winners Appealing Stella (Closing Argument) and Ms. Cruisen' (Candy Ride) are also entered...

Elmont and Floral Park in New York will once again celebrate the final leg of the Triple Crown, the 145th running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park. Elmont will feature a day of events, including a parade and Family Fun Day, on June 1, while Floral Park's annual Belmont Stakes Festival will take place from 2-7 p.m. (EDT) on June 9, the day after the Belmont Stakes. Elmont's celebration will begin with the Elmont 2013 Belmont Stakes Parade at 10 a.m. at the yellow parking field at Belmont Park before traveling east on Hempstead Turnpike and concluding at the Alva T. Stanforth Sports Complex. The parade will include the Belmont starting gate, local marching bands and an appearance from Sam the Bugler. At the conclusion of the parade, the Alva T. Stanforth Sports Complex will host a Family Fun Day, including three-legged races, potato sack races, egg tosses and relay races from the Belmont Park starting gate, among other family-friendly activities. All attendees will be awarded a medal for participation. For more information about the Elmont 2013 Belmont Stakes Parade and Family Fun Day, contact Patrick Boyle at 516-328-1550. The Floral Park Belmont Stakes Festival will bring an afternoon and evening of family-friendly activities, live music, food and other entertainment to Tulip Avenue. The event will include two stages of live music from a variety of bands and musical acts, including the RAKE, Hambones, Steel Wolf, Blue Eyed Soul, RVO Band, The Smith Band and Petey Beatz DJ. The day will also feature performances by the Floral Park Memorial Florettes, Floral Park Memorial Long Island Sounds, Center Stage, and Danielle Seuling Zumba. Additionally, a number of Floral Park restaurants and eateries will line the streets to offer culinary samples and tastings to festival attendees. The festival will also include an art show from the Floral Park Art League, face painting, street performers, bounce inflatables and rides, among other family-oriented activities. For more information about the Floral Park Belmont Stakes Festival, contact Floral Park Chamber President Theresa Whalen at fpccpres@gmail.com...

Ascot has announced that Longines, providers of race times at the racecourse since 2007, became official partners of the racecourse on Friday, initially through to 2017. The Swiss watchmaker will continue to be official timekeeper, credited on Britain's Channel 4, but now with enhanced on course presence. This will include a branded chronometer close to the winning post and an elegant clock in the Parade Ring throughout the year, including at Royal Ascot and on British Champions Day. Longines is also "the Official Watch of Royal Ascot" for the first time and will continue to enjoy several individual race sponsorships, including the Sagaro S. (Eng-G3). The two-mile test was won last month by The Queen's filly, Estimate (Monsun), who is now among the favorites for the June 20 Gold Cup (Eng-G1) at the Royal Meeting. "Ascot is known worldwide as one of the most prestigious and stylish sporting events in the world with over 300 years of rich history behind it," Longines President Walter von Känel commented. "This enhanced partnership with the racecourse is therefore a perfect vehicle for the promotion of the Longines values -- namely elegance, tradition and performance -- values which we share with the institution of Ascot."...

Churchill Downs will host Family Fun Day every Sunday on the Plaza Balcony from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (EDT) throughout the 38-day spring meet. Kiddos age 12 and younger are invited to enjoy games, crafts and visits from Churchill Downs' popular mascot Churchill Charlie. This week's special activity includes a Memorial Day military display, including an interactive High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV, Humvee or Hummer). Children also can write letters to members of the armed forces and craft paper U.S. flags. The adults can have fun, too. There'll be a rock climbing wall for folks age 18 and up. The first of 10 races on Sunday is 12:45 p.m. Admission gates open at 11:30 a.m. Churchill Downs' Junior Jockey Club, located inside the Gate 10 entrance, also entertains children age 12 and under on Saturdays from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed when Downs After Dark occurs on June 15, June 22 and June 29). The "Kids Zone" is dedicated to providing fun for the youngsters at Churchill Downs, but all children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times...

Churchill Downs will stage a special 11-race Memorial Day program on Monday. The first of 11 races on the holiday program is 12:45 p.m. (EDT), and the featured event is the $100,000-added Winning Colors (G3), a six-furlong sprint for fillies and mares. All active and retired members of the United States armed forces will be admitted free of charge with proof of identification. Churchill Downs popular track bugler Steve Buttleman is sure to decorate the Kentucky Derby Winner's Circle with an abundance of U.S. flags and will perform patriotic melodies following the "Call to the Post" for each race. Admission gates will open at 11:30 a.m. and the final race is expected to run at 6 p.m...

Emirates Racing Authority's Saeed Al Tayer on Friday offered his full support to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's decree that the import, trade and use of anabolic steroids for equine sport will be made a criminal offense. As a result of the high-profile scandal surrounding Godolphin's ex-trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni, the vice chairman of the body threw his weight behind the halt to the use of the substances. "The U.A.E. now has the strictest regulations possible against anabolic steroids anywhere in the world," a statement on Godolphin's website read. "It is important to understand that this decree will cover every horse, in every stable, of every yard. There will be no hiding place and these changes will be for the betterment of all horse sports in the region."

In brief

In Excess, an Irish-bred son of Siberian Express who became one of the most dominant sires in California, passed away May 17 at Vessels Stallion Farm from the infirmities of age at 26. He had been pensioned in 2011. "He was an old man and he's in a better place," farm manager Kevin Dickson said. "The last couple of weeks, he just didn't look like himself." In Excess was buried on the farm next to another late Vessels stallion, Free House, Dickson said. A four-time Grade 1 winner on the track, In Excess went on to sire 18 crops with earnings of more than $44 million, including 56 black-type winners such as Musical Chimes, Romance is Diane, Excessivepleasure, Above Perfection and future stallions Indian Charlie and Notional. In Excess's career began on the grass in England, but his biggest wins were on dirt tracks in New York -- the Suburban, Metropolitan, Woodward and Whitney handicaps. He earned more than $1.7 million, with 11 wins in 25 starts. In Excess began his stud career at Rancho Why Worry in 1993 and was the Golden State's leading sire in 2002 and 2003, leading sire of two-year-olds in his freshman season of 1996, as well as in 2000, 2002 and 2004. In Excess sired 16 California champions as well as millionaires Texcess and Valentine Dancer. "He was basically dropped off at our front door when Mike Pegram went to Kentucky to try and organize for him to stand at stud there," Scoop Vessels, the late owner of the farm, said in 2003 when explaining how In Excess and Vessells conected. "When In Excess got off the trailer, I fell in love with him. For some reason, I just knew this was the horse for us, so I immediately made a deal over the phone with Mike to purchase half of him." Vessels said he and Pegram turned down lucrative Kentucky offers to keep In Excess in California. "I believed in the California-bred incentive program as I felt he was the right kind of horse for it, so I went about syndicating him which was done in only three or four days," Vessels said...

Jockey Jesus Castanon was not seriously injured when he was unseated in Thursday's 9TH race at Churchill Downs after his mount, Kruthen (Indian Charlie), stumbled and then fell at the start. "He's a little sore, but he's fine," agent Terry "Jaws" Miller said. "He will ride today (Friday)." Castanon is named on six horses on the Friday card at Churchill. Jack Bohannon, assistant to trainer Rusty Arnold, reported Kruthen was uninjured as well...

Mylute (Midnight Lute) returned to the track Friday for the first time since finishing third behind Oxbow (Awesome Again) and Itsmyluckyday (Lawyer Ron) in last Saturday's Preakness (G1). The Tom Amoss pupil jogged beneath the Twin Spires under Maurice Sanchez shortly after the Churchill track opened for training at 6 a.m. (EDT). "He's doing well and everything went well this morning," Amoss said. The next start for Mylute has not been determined; however, it will not be the Belmont (G1) on June 8...

Teardrop (Tapit), a two-year-old half-sister to Grade 1 winner and $1.6 million earner Pyro (Pulpit), had quite an eventful first start in Thursday's 3RD race at Churchill Downs. After breaking slowly in the field of seven, Teardrop raced nearly eight wide throughout, but found her best stride in the stretch and kicked on to win by 3 3/4 lengths under Rosie Napravnik. "She had never made a mistake in the morning and didn't do anything right in the afternoon," trainer Steve Asmussen said. "That's how it can go. Obviously, she has a tremendous amount of talent and I was very pleased with her this morning." Asmussen said the Winchell Thoroughbreds homebred could make her next start in the $100,000-added Debutante at Churchill Downs on June 22. Teardrop's victory was one of three on the afternoon for Asmussen, who is second behind Mike Maker in the trainer standings with 12 wins from 32 starters. Maker has saddled 13 winners from 37 starters. "Hopefully we can keep getting in the right spots and having a little success," Asmussen said...

No Distinction (With Distinction) came out of his victory in Sunday's 9TH race at Churchill in good order, according to trainer Randy Morse. It was the second consecutive win for No Distinction, who turned heads when breaking his maiden at Oaklawn by 8 1/4 lengths in April. Morse mentioned the Woody Stephens (G2) on the Belmont Stakes undercard on June 8 as a possible next spot for the Florida-bred sophomore...

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert is just one win shy of his 100th Churchill Downs victory. The milestone could come as early as Saturday when Baffert sends out Hoorayforhollywood (Storm Cat) in the 10TH race...

Settled in rear early by Gerald Mosse in Friday's Prix Corrida (Fr-G2) at Saint-Cloud, Grace Lady (Muhtathir) was the most animated to emerge from the bunch as the field fanned across the track at the top of the stretch. Striking the front approaching the furlong pole, she drew away from the blanket in behind, from which Fate emerged as her closer pursuant. Previously trained by Michel Mace, Grace Lady had a steadily-progressive profile last term and was second on her black-type debut in this venue's Prix Coronation in September. Third in the Prix Casimir Delamarre over another furlong the following month, the bay returned for the little-known Tatiana Puitg stable to annexe the Prix Jacques Laffitte also over nine furlongs at Maisons-Laffitte April 4 and had run into traffic when just over three lengths ninth in the Prix Allez France (Fr-G3) over 10 furlongs at Chantilly April 29. "Last time in the Allez France, she was quite unlucky and would have finished in the frame with a clear run," Ecurie Victoria Dreams' racing manager Laurent Benoit said. "She loves very soft ground and that really helped today. Now, there is not much left in France in the program so we will have to wait and see where we go next."...

An unbeaten revelation at two, Reckless Abandon (Exchange Rate) faces his elders in an intriguing renewal of the Temple (Eng-G2) at Haydock Saturday. Rattling up a rare sequence in the Norfolk (Eng-G2) at Royal Ascot in June, Prix Robert Papin (Fr-G2) at Maisons-Laffitte in July, Prix Morny (Fr-G1) at Deauville in August and Middle Park (Eng-G1) at Newmarket in October, the Clive Cox trainee gets only four pounds from the hardened veteran sprinters here. Only the star fillies Fleeting Spirit (Invincible Spirit) and Airwave (Air Express) have managed to upstage the mature brigade in this in recent times, but Reckless Abandon's conditioner is hoping that class will out. "He's in very good form and I'm very happy with him," he told PA Sport. "He has wintered well and hopefully this is a stepping stone to Royal Ascot. It's a shame we don't have a three-year-olds only race at this time of year, but that's the way it is and this is the logical step to take. We certainly hope he can be as effective at both five and six furlongs like last year and we are running him in the right races." Sole Power (Kyllachy), who beat Kingsgate Native (Mujadil) in this two years ago, again has that rival back in second in Newmarket's Palace House (Eng-G3) over this trip three weeks ago. Trainer Edward Lynam told PA Sport, "He seems in good form with himself and won his last start. By all accounts the ground is good at Haydock. It's his fourth run in a couple of months and he's been around a bit. That would be the slight niggle. We're happy with the horse. There are 12 runners; it's not a massive field, so it should be straightforward."...

Starspangledbanner (Choisir) has been retired for the second time and will stand at Rosemont Stud in Australia, it was announced Friday. Placed only once in six starts for Aidan O'Brien after his return from a failed spell at Coolmore, the four-time Group 1-winning dual-hemisphere performer will join Anthony Mithen's establishment, who turned around the fertility issues of another of their residents in Foreplay. "We will be trying some new fertility techniques that weren't available when Star last stood at stud," he explained. "He is a little older and more mature and we take some real heart from the job that was done on Foreplay. Our bloodstock manager Dean Harvey oversaw the transformation of Foreplay from a sub-fertile stallion to a real commercial option, now batting at close to 80 percent fertility. Stem cell treatment really helped and from what we understand, Starspangledbanner and Foreplay's areas of concern are very similar." No fee has been set at this time...

Trainer Steve Asmussen's duo of Master Rick (Master Command) and Prayer for Relief (Jump Start), the respective one-two in the April 27 Texas Mile (G3), renew rivalry over an extra sixteenth in Monday's $300,000 Lone Star Park H. (G3). Although Master Rick rallied to defeat his stablemate by 1 1/4 lengths last time, Prayer for Relief is eligible to move forward in this second start off a layoff, and has plenty of back class as a multiple Grade 2 winner. Only three horses will attempt to break up the Asmussen domination. Battle Hardened (Giant's Causeway), winner of the 2012 Sam F. Davis (G3), returns to stakes company for the first time since disappointing in that spring's Tampa Bay Derby (G2). Transferred to Justin Evans after selling for $80,000 at Keeneland in January, the well-bred chestnut has romped versus allowance rivals in his last two and wheels back off a nine-day break here. Another face from the 2012 Derby trail, Isn't He Clever (Smarty Jones), most recently scored his fourth career stakes victory in the March 24 Bill Thomas Memorial at Sunland. It would be an interesting wrinkle if this Henry Dominguez charge defeats the Asmussen runners, since Isn't He Clever made a couple of unsuccessful starts during a brief sojourn with Asmussen last summer. Rounding out the quintet is Formaggio (Dynaformer), who makes his second start since being claimed for $30,000 by Danny Pish...

Judy the Beauty (Ghostzapper), runner-up in last year's Prioress and an easy winner this spring at Keeneland, tops a competitive field of seven fillies and mares entered for the 10th running of the $100,000 Winning Colors (G3) on Memorial Day Monday at Churchill Downs. Following her second-place finish in the Prioress (G1), Judy the Beauty filled that same spot in the Gallant Bloom H. (G2) at Belmont Park in September, her final race of 2012. In her four-year-old debut, she cruised to a two-length victory in an allowance on Keeneland's Polytrack as the 3-10 favorite. "She ran really well and I was really happy," said Ward, who owns and trains the filly. "We looked at this race because it gives us about five weeks till (the Princess Rooney [G1] at Calder on July 6). I also think dirt is her preferred surface. She trains and runs well on the synthetic, but when you see her breeze on the dirt she really looks great." Joao Moreira, a native of Brazil and three-time champion jockey in Singapore, is scheduled to ride Judy the Beauty on Monday. Moreira, who also has ridden in Australia, Sweden, Germany, South Africa, Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, France and Dubai, will be making his U.S. debut in the Winning Colors. "He's a phenomenal rider and he is on a plane (from Singapore on Friday night)," Ward said. "He is going to ride at Arlington on Saturday and he'll be here (at Churchill Downs) to ride on Sunday and Monday. He wants to be in the United States and hopefully this weekend will open the eyes of other owners and trainers." The main rivals for Judy the Beauty include Funnys Approval (Outrageouslyfunny), winner of the Barbara Fritchie H. (G2) at Laurel Park in February; Blueeyesintherein (Magna Graduate), winner of last year's Debutante (G3) at Churchill Downs and most recently fifth in the Eight Belles (G3); and Burban (Speightstown), runner-up in the Humana Distaff (G1) on the Kentucky Derby Day undercard...

Hudson Landing (Maria's Mon) and Control Seeker (Sought After) were separated by just a nose in last year's $100,000 All American (G3) at Golden Gate Fields after the latter's rider lost the whip at the eighth-pole, and will line up against each one another yet again in the 1 1/16-mile Tapeta contest on Memorial Day Monday. The All American has switched places on the calendar with the Berkeley H. (G3), which will now take place during the fall. Hudson Landing proved best after getting the bobbing win in last year's All American, but has failed to reach the winner's circle in four starts since. The six-year-old gelding ran third in the Berkeley, placed second via disqualification, and took the Mt. Rainier H. at Emerald Downs earlier in 2012, and was last seen finishing sixth in the San Francisco Mile (G3). Control Seeker also contested the San Fran Mile last out, running a one-paced seventh behind the re-opposing Summer Hit (Bertrando), who missed by only a neck after leading throughout that eight-furlong affair in his first attempt against open stakes company. Also lining up Monday will be Positive Response, fourth by just a length in last year's edition of the All American, and dual Grade 2 winner Tres Borrachos (Ecton Park). Positive Response captured the Berkeley last May before being disqualified to fourth and just made his seasonal bow a runner-up effort against optional claiming company on April 6. Tres Borrachos was third at Santa Anita in the Santana Mile in his most recent start on March 31, and returns to Golden Gate Fields for the first time since finishing fourth in the 2008 California Derby. In addition to featuring the All American, Golden Gate will be giving away a free lawn chair on Memorial Day, one per paid admission while supplies last...

Holiday Soiree (Harlan's Holiday) will be dropping in class on Memorial Day Monday as the four-year-old miss takes on six rivals in Monmouth Park's $60,000 Red Cross going six furlongs. The Tevis McCauley trainee was last seen running a close third in the Humana Distaff (G1) at Churchill Downs on the Kentucky Derby undercard and finished second in the Sugar Maple at Charles Town prior to that in late April. That was her first start for McCauley after being saddled by Daniel Smithwick Jr. last season to runner-up placings in the Charles Town Oaks and Safely Kept at Laurel Park. Her main rivals appear to be Silverette (Street Sense), runner-up while making her stakes bow in the Gold Princess last out, and dual stakes winner Srumdiddlyumptious (Roman Ruler), third most recently in the Primonetta at Pimlico. Monmouth will also feature the $60,000 Little Silver sending sophomore fillies a mile on the turf one race later. Bella Castani (Big Brown) captured the Tweedside in her first start for trainer Christophe Clement and will try to make it two in a row on Monday...

Schiaparelli (Ghostzapper), runner-up to Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint heroine and stablemate Mizdirection in the Las Cienegas (G3) last month, will try for her second win over the Hollywood Park grass in the $70,000 Great Lady M. on Sunday. The six-furlong event for older fillies and mares drew a field of six, including the Mike Puype-trained Schiaparelli. The gray mare was collared by her stablemate near the Las Cienegas wire at Santa Anita after having a two length lead with an eighth of a mile to run and wound up a half-length behind Mizdirection at the finish. Schiaparelli returns to Hollywood Park, over which she broke her maiden by 2 1/2 lengths in her June 19, 2011, debut and was third in the Cool Air last November 23. Both races were at the Great Lady M. distance. Trainer Tom Proctor will send out the duo of Customer Base (Lemon Drop Kid), who is cutting back in distance for her first start of 2013, and Purim's Dancer (Purim), also trying a shorter trip after finishing fifth in the one-mile Wilshire H. (G3) on April 28. Customer Base was last seen missing by just a neck in the one-mile Autumn Miss (G3) at Santa Anita on October 27. Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens, fresh off his upset victory aboard Oxbow in the Preakness Stakes, has the call on Purim's Dancer while Garrett Gomez rides Customer Base. Curvy Cat (Ministers Wild Cat) returns to grass for Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer after winning the B. Thoughtful over the Cushion Track on April 27, California Gold Rush Day. Givine (Blackdoun), who will be trying to end a 15-race losing streak, and stakes debuter Greatest Escape (Game Plan), who will be making her first start outside Northern California, completed the Great Lady M. field...

Monmouth Park will play host to a pair of $75,000 stakes for distaffers on Sunday when six line up in the Monmouth Beach going a mile and 70 yards followed by a field of 11 in the Miss Liberty at 1 1/16 miles on the turf. The Monmouth Beach features Daydreamin Gracie (Domestic Dispute), who is exiting a fourth-place run in the Allaire duPont Distaff (G3) on the Preakness Stakes undercard. Prior to that, the gray mare romped by eight lengths in the Shine Again at Pimlico despite a stumbling start. The race will also see the return to action of Cash for Clunkers (Tiznow), last seen finishing last of five in the September 29 Beldame Invitational (G1). The bay five-year-old captured the Heatherten at Belmont last May followed by a runner-up effort in the Ogden Phipps H. (G1). One race later, Grade 3 heroine Ruthenia (Pulpit) returns to the site of her Violet (G3) victory a year ago in the Miss Liberty. The bay mare followed that score by with fourth-placings in the Eatontown H. (G3), Ballston Spa (G2) and Athenia (G3) to close out 2012. Ruthenia returned on May 4 at Belmont, running last of six, beaten just 3 3/4 lengths, in the Beaugay (G3)...

The march toward the June 29 Shoemaker Mile (G1) continues Saturday with the $150,000 American Handicap (G2), a course-and-distance prep for the Shoemaker over Hollywood Park's turf course. The likely favorite is the front-running Obviously (Choisir), who racked up wins last fall in the Del Mar Mile (G2) and Arroyo Seco Mile (G2) before a third in the Breeders' Cup Mile (G1). In his lone outing this year, the five-year-old gelding was nabbed late going downhill at Santa Anita in the San Simeon (G3). The American will mark the U.S. debut for Lucayan (Turtle Bowl), who went unplaced in his final three starts in Europe following a 27-1 upset of the French Two Thousand Guineas (Fr-G1) at Longchamp last May. Now conditioned by Neil Drysdale, Lucayan will be ridden for the first time by a fellow French import, Julien Leparoux. Also in the six-horse lineup are Chosen Miracle (Ghostzapper), who's placed in the San Gabriel (G2) and San Simeon this season, and Drill (Lawyer Ron), a rallying fourth in the San Simeon which marked the colt's turf debut...

Dark Cove (Medaglia d'Oro) will face eight rivals on Saturday as he seeks to add a second straight graded win to his resume in Churchill Downs' $100,000 Louisville Handicap (G3). The Mike Maker trainee was a 4 1/4-length victor of the Elkhorn (G2) over Keeneland's turf on April 26 and will stay at that race's 1 1/2-mile distance for Saturday's grass affair under the Twin Spires. Dark Cove owns two prior tries over the Churchill green, finishing a well-beaten 10th in the Commonwealth Turf (G3) in 2010 and most recently posting a runner-up effort in a 2011 optional claimer. Rosie Napravnik has the call aboard the bay six-year-old, who will be facing Heathcote (Niigon), a 12 1/4-length romper last out when taking the Valedictory (Can-G3) in mid-December; Harrods Creek (Langfuhr), winner of the John's Call at Saratoga in his final appearance of 2012 on August 3; and last year's Belmont Stakes and Breeders' Cup Marathon third-placer, Atigun (Istan), who just scored in his second turf appearance in a May 4 Churchill optional claimer...

In other Louisville 'Cap news, Heathcote arrived at Churchill Downs from Toronto on Thursday morning for Saturday's engagement. "He ran all year last year, so we just gave him a little time after his last race," trainer Paul Attard said. "He just got a few weeks off and then we had him at Palm Meadows in January. So, he's been back in training for quite a while. After spending the winter at Palm Meadows, Heathcote was shipped to Keeneland and worked twice over the Polytrack. "We were thinking of running him in the Elkhorn (G2)," Attard said of the April 26 race at Keeneland. "He was doing well, but we decided to give him a little more time to make sure he was good and ready before we ran him." Despite being run at 1 1/2 miles on turf, the Louisville 'Cap actually will be a cutback in distance for Heathcote, who won the Valedictory at 1 3/4 miles. "I think the distance is OK," Attard said. "Ideally, he probably would like to go farther. I think the 1 3/4 miles was perfect for him, but I don't think it'll be a problem cutting back a quarter-mile, especially for his first start this year." Also, the Louisville 'Cap will be the first start on turf for Heathcote, who has made all seven of his career starts on the Polytrack at Woodbine. "We breezed him on the turf (at Woodbine) last week and he went very well," Attard said, referring to a five-furlong move in 1:01 3/5 last Sunday. Attard was at his barn at Woodbine on Friday morning, but will be at Churchill Downs to saddle Heathcote on Saturday...

Dual Canadian champion Irish Mission (Giant's Causeway) returns to Woodbine on Saturday as part of a seven-distaffer field in the C$200,000 Nassau (Can-G2) going a mile on the turf. The Mark Frostad pupil captured last year's Woodbine Oaks over the Polytrack prior to a runner-up effort in the Queen's Plate against the boys. She would go on to finish sixth on the Fort Erie dirt in the second leg of the Canadian Triple Crown, the Prince of Wales, before taking the 1 1/2-mile third jewel, the Breeders', on Woodbine's turf in her penultimate start of 2012. Irish Mission made her return to competition on February 28 at Gulfstream Park, running second in an optional claimer before filling the third spot in the Orchid (G3) in her last start on March 30. Earlier on Woodbine's Saturday program, a field of seven sophomore fillies will line up in the C$125,000 Lady Angela, and Rootham Triple E's (Weather Warning) will try to return to the winner's circle after a sixth-place effort in the Fury on May 4. The bay miss captured the Star Shoot to open her 2013 campaign...

Csaba (Kitten's Joy) tops a field of 10 entered in Saturday's $75,000 Memorial Handicap at Calder. The four-year-old colt reeled off consecutive wins this winter in the Tropical Park Derby, Fred Hooper (G3), Harlan's Holiday and Hal's Hope (G3) before finishing fifth in the Donn Handicap (G1) and has been freshened 105 days in advance of this assignment by trainer Phil Gleaves. Manoel Cruz picks up the mount. Rule Number Six (Repent) and Megamove (High Cotton), the two respective finishers from the May 5 Sumter at Calder, will both return in this spot and Grade 2 winner Eldaafer (A.P. Indy) figures to appreciate the class relief following a fifth in the Grade 3 Skip Away last out. Other contestants include Isutalkintome (Flashy Bull), Ducduc (Langfuhr) and Flatter This (Flatter)...

Winning Image (Southern Image), last seen posting a comfortable score in the Willa on the Move at Laurel Park in mid-December, will make a title defense in Saturday's $75,000 My Juliet at Parx Racing. A four-time stakes heroine, the Michael Aro-trained mare will make her 2013 debut against five rivals and has been listed as the 8-5 favorite on the morning line for the six-furlong test. Regular rider Jose Caraballo will be up. Ruffian (G2) winner Withgreatpleasure (Hold That Tiger) is scheduled to wheel back a week later after finishing third in the Vagrancy (G2) and Villette (Petionville) will step up to face graded rivals following an easy triumph in the April 13 Foxy JG at Parx over state-bred foes. Stakes winners Appealing Stella (Closing Argument) and Ms. Cruisen' (Candy Ride) are also entered...

Elmont and Floral Park in New York will once again celebrate the final leg of the Triple Crown, the 145th running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park. Elmont will feature a day of events, including a parade and Family Fun Day, on June 1, while Floral Park's annual Belmont Stakes Festival will take place from 2-7 p.m. (EDT) on June 9, the day after the Belmont Stakes. Elmont's celebration will begin with the Elmont 2013 Belmont Stakes Parade at 10 a.m. at the yellow parking field at Belmont Park before traveling east on Hempstead Turnpike and concluding at the Alva T. Stanforth Sports Complex. The parade will include the Belmont starting gate, local marching bands and an appearance from Sam the Bugler. At the conclusion of the parade, the Alva T. Stanforth Sports Complex will host a Family Fun Day, including three-legged races, potato sack races, egg tosses and relay races from the Belmont Park starting gate, among other family-friendly activities. All attendees will be awarded a medal for participation. For more information about the Elmont 2013 Belmont Stakes Parade and Family Fun Day, contact Patrick Boyle at 516-328-1550. The Floral Park Belmont Stakes Festival will bring an afternoon and evening of family-friendly activities, live music, food and other entertainment to Tulip Avenue. The event will include two stages of live music from a variety of bands and musical acts, including the RAKE, Hambones, Steel Wolf, Blue Eyed Soul, RVO Band, The Smith Band and Petey Beatz DJ. The day will also feature performances by the Floral Park Memorial Florettes, Floral Park Memorial Long Island Sounds, Center Stage, and Danielle Seuling Zumba. Additionally, a number of Floral Park restaurants and eateries will line the streets to offer culinary samples and tastings to festival attendees. The festival will also include an art show from the Floral Park Art League, face painting, street performers, bounce inflatables and rides, among other family-oriented activities. For more information about the Floral Park Belmont Stakes Festival, contact Floral Park Chamber President Theresa Whalen at fpccpres@gmail.com...

Ascot has announced that Longines, providers of race times at the racecourse since 2007, became official partners of the racecourse on Friday, initially through to 2017. The Swiss watchmaker will continue to be official timekeeper, credited on Britain's Channel 4, but now with enhanced on course presence. This will include a branded chronometer close to the winning post and an elegant clock in the Parade Ring throughout the year, including at Royal Ascot and on British Champions Day. Longines is also "the Official Watch of Royal Ascot" for the first time and will continue to enjoy several individual race sponsorships, including the Sagaro S. (Eng-G3). The two-mile test was won last month by The Queen's filly, Estimate (Monsun), who is now among the favorites for the June 20 Gold Cup (Eng-G1) at the Royal Meeting. "Ascot is known worldwide as one of the most prestigious and stylish sporting events in the world with over 300 years of rich history behind it," Longines President Walter von Känel commented. "This enhanced partnership with the racecourse is therefore a perfect vehicle for the promotion of the Longines values -- namely elegance, tradition and performance -- values which we share with the institution of Ascot."...

Churchill Downs will host Family Fun Day every Sunday on the Plaza Balcony from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (EDT) throughout the 38-day spring meet. Kiddos age 12 and younger are invited to enjoy games, crafts and visits from Churchill Downs' popular mascot Churchill Charlie. This week's special activity includes a Memorial Day military display, including an interactive High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV, Humvee or Hummer). Children also can write letters to members of the armed forces and craft paper U.S. flags. The adults can have fun, too. There'll be a rock climbing wall for folks age 18 and up. The first of 10 races on Sunday is 12:45 p.m. Admission gates open at 11:30 a.m. Churchill Downs' Junior Jockey Club, located inside the Gate 10 entrance, also entertains children age 12 and under on Saturdays from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed when Downs After Dark occurs on June 15, June 22 and June 29). The "Kids Zone" is dedicated to providing fun for the youngsters at Churchill Downs, but all children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times...

Churchill Downs will stage a special 11-race Memorial Day program on Monday. The first of 11 races on the holiday program is 12:45 p.m. (EDT), and the featured event is the $100,000-added Winning Colors (G3), a six-furlong sprint for fillies and mares. All active and retired members of the United States armed forces will be admitted free of charge with proof of identification. Churchill Downs popular track bugler Steve Buttleman is sure to decorate the Kentucky Derby Winner's Circle with an abundance of U.S. flags and will perform patriotic melodies following the "Call to the Post" for each race. Admission gates will open at 11:30 a.m. and the final race is expected to run at 6 p.m...

Emirates Racing Authority's Saeed Al Tayer on Friday offered his full support to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's decree that the import, trade and use of anabolic steroids for equine sport will be made a criminal offense. As a result of the high-profile scandal surrounding Godolphin's ex-trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni, the vice chairman of the body threw his weight behind the halt to the use of the substances. "The U.A.E. now has the strictest regulations possible against anabolic steroids anywhere in the world," a statement on Godolphin's website read. "It is important to understand that this decree will cover every horse, in every stable, of every yard. There will be no hiding place and these changes will be for the betterment of all horse sports in the region."

On the California worktab

On Friday, Grade 1 veteran Champ Pegasus (Fusaichi Pegasus) was caught in 1:28 1/5 for seven-eighths over Santa Anita's fast main track. The seven-year-old hasn't been seen in competition since finishing second in the 2011 Clement L. Hirsch Turf Championship (G2).

Multiple Grade 1-placed stakes conqueror Clubhouse Ride (Candy Ride), a half-length second last month in the Charles Town Classic (G2), clocked a bullet three-quarters in 1:12 2/5.

Grade 3 diva Winding Way (Malibu Moon), unraced since suffering her first loss when fourth in the October 8 L.A. Woman, exercised seven furlongs in 1:26 3/5.

Grade 2 hero Blueskiesnrainbows (English Channel), most recently fourth in the Mervyn LeRoy H. (G2), turned five furlongs on the firm turf at Hollywood Park in 1:03.

Grade 3 victress Travesura (Limehouse), unplaced when making her seasonal bow last out in the January 1 Blue Norther, covered four grassy furlongs in :50 3/5.

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint Preview winner Gabriel Charles (Street Hero), second in the December 29 Eddie Logan last out, posted five panels on the green in 1:00 4/5.

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Filly Sprint Preview vixen Unusual Way (Unusual Heat), third in the Melair and second in the Sunland Park Oaks in her past two, logged five-eighths on the turf in 1:01 3/5.

Lightly raced Grade 3 scorer So Brilliant (Medaglia d'Oro), fourth in just two starts last season, traveled a half-mile in :48 on the Cushion Track.

Grade 1-placed stakes winner Mobilized (Soul of the Matter), unplaced when last seen in the September 5 Pirate's Bounty, sauntered three-eighths in :39.

On the California worktab

On Friday, Grade 1 veteran Champ Pegasus (Fusaichi Pegasus) was caught in 1:28 1/5 for seven-eighths over Santa Anita's fast main track. The seven-year-old hasn't been seen in competition since finishing second in the 2011 Clement L. Hirsch Turf Championship (G2).

Multiple Grade 1-placed stakes conqueror Clubhouse Ride (Candy Ride), a half-length second last month in the Charles Town Classic (G2), clocked a bullet three-quarters in 1:12 2/5.

Grade 3 diva Winding Way (Malibu Moon), unraced since suffering her first loss when fourth in the October 8 L.A. Woman, exercised seven furlongs in 1:26 3/5.

Grade 2 hero Blueskiesnrainbows (English Channel), most recently fourth in the Mervyn LeRoy H. (G2), turned five furlongs on the firm turf at Hollywood Park in 1:03.

Grade 3 victress Travesura (Limehouse), unplaced when making her seasonal bow last out in the January 1 Blue Norther, covered four grassy furlongs in :50 3/5.

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint Preview winner Gabriel Charles (Street Hero), second in the December 29 Eddie Logan last out, posted five panels on the green in 1:00 4/5.

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Filly Sprint Preview vixen Unusual Way (Unusual Heat), third in the Melair and second in the Sunland Park Oaks in her past two, logged five-eighths on the turf in 1:01 3/5.

Lightly raced Grade 3 scorer So Brilliant (Medaglia d'Oro), fourth in just two starts last season, traveled a half-mile in :48 on the Cushion Track.

Grade 1-placed stakes winner Mobilized (Soul of the Matter), unplaced when last seen in the September 5 Pirate's Bounty, sauntered three-eighths in :39.

On the Kentucky worktab

Grade 1 vixen Stephanie's Kitten (Kitten's Joy), impressive off-the-pace winner of the Churchill Distaff Turf Mile (G2) in her season debut, worked five furlongs in 1:01 3/5 over the fast main track at Churchill Downs on Friday. The June 8 Just a Game (G1) might be next.

Avare (Johannesburg), unplaced twice since taking the Eddie Logan in late December at Santa Anita, logged three furlongs in :37 2/5 over the fast dirt at the Skylight Training Center.

Magic Hour (Awesome Again), last seen taking the Wayward Lass at Tampa Bay Downs in mid-March, covered a half-mile in :49 2/5.

On the Kentucky worktab

Grade 1 vixen Stephanie's Kitten (Kitten's Joy), impressive off-the-pace winner of the Churchill Distaff Turf Mile (G2) in her season debut, worked five furlongs in 1:01 3/5 over the fast main track at Churchill Downs on Friday. The June 8 Just a Game (G1) might be next.

Avare (Johannesburg), unplaced twice since taking the Eddie Logan in late December at Santa Anita, logged three furlongs in :37 2/5 over the fast dirt at the Skylight Training Center.

Magic Hour (Awesome Again), last seen taking the Wayward Lass at Tampa Bay Downs in mid-March, covered a half-mile in :49 2/5.

On the Maryland worktab

At Fair Hill on Friday, multiple Grade 2 hero Mucho Macho Man (Macho Uno) took a five-furlong spin in 1:01 2/5 on the Tapeta. The Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) runner-up has not raced since being eased in his title defense in the January 19 Florida Sunshine Millions Classic.

Stakes winner Coup (Empire Maker), unraced since an unplaced finish in the Regret (G3) last June, completed the same distance in 1:01 1/5.

On the Maryland worktab

At Fair Hill on Friday, multiple Grade 2 hero Mucho Macho Man (Macho Uno) took a five-furlong spin in 1:01 2/5 on the Tapeta. The Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) runner-up has not raced since being eased in his title defense in the January 19 Florida Sunshine Millions Classic.

Stakes winner Coup (Empire Maker), unraced since an unplaced finish in the Regret (G3) last June, completed the same distance in 1:01 1/5.

On the New York worktab

Matriarch (G1) winner Better Lucky (Ghostzapper), fourth in the Jenny Wiley (G1) in her season debut, worked five furlongs in 1:03 over the fast main track at Belmont Park on Friday. The June 8 Just a Game (G1) might be next.

Grade 2-placed sophomore Baby J (J Be K), an allowance winner in her May 8 comeback, zipped four panels in :47 4/5 over the fast training track.

On the New York worktab

Matriarch (G1) winner Better Lucky (Ghostzapper), fourth in the Jenny Wiley (G1) in her season debut, worked five furlongs in 1:03 over the fast main track at Belmont Park on Friday. The June 8 Just a Game (G1) might be next.

Grade 2-placed sophomore Baby J (J Be K), an allowance winner in her May 8 comeback, zipped four panels in :47 4/5 over the fast training track.

On the Florida worktab

Grade 3 winner Dixie Strike (Dixie Union), filly winner last season of the Canadian classic Prince of Wales, worked four furlongs in :49 over the all-weather surface at the Ocala Training Center on Friday. She was last seen running seventh in the Maple Leaf in early November.

On the Florida worktab

Grade 3 winner Dixie Strike (Dixie Union), filly winner last season of the Canadian classic Prince of Wales, worked four furlongs in :49 over the all-weather surface at the Ocala Training Center on Friday. She was last seen running seventh in the Maple Leaf in early November.

NORTH AMERICAN ALLOWANCE RESULTS

For Saturday or Next Raceday

HANDICAPPING INSIGHTS

MAY 24, 2013

by Dick Powell

The good thing about last Saturday's Preakness Stakes is when the action leaves Maryland for its summer home at Colonial Downs, they can plant corn on the main track. Because after watching the races from Pimlico last Friday and Saturday, that's what I thought they should do with it.

I don't want to see return to the days of Tank's Prospect and Farma Way, who not only set a stakes record in the Pimlico Special for 1 3/16 miles but equaled the American record for the distance -- 1:52.40.

But when the nine furlongs of the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes took 1:52.73, which was the second slowest since the race was switched back to its current nine-furlong distance, and the 1 3/16 miles of the Pimlico Special took 1:58.50, which was the slowest since 1958, clearly something is wrong.

For Preakness Day, there was a forecast of possible showers and it did not look like the main track was watered enough. Watch the Preakness and focus on the cloud of dust that was being kicked up by the horses and how deep the track was. It was no surprise that it took 1:57.54, the slowest since Carry Back in 1961, for this year's renewal.

Knowing how the track was on Friday, it still was surprising to me that the track was so slow on Saturday. If the showers had been more severe, it probably would have been a very different track. But what little rain that came was not enough to have an effect on the track and it was a situation that reminded me of Animal Kingdom's Kentucky Derby, when expected showers just missed the track and it wound up being deep and cuppy which favored horses running on the outside.

Oxbow was a possible contender for Saturday's Preakness based on the fact that he was the only horse in the Derby that raced up near the pace and held on some in the stretch run. But when you watched the preceding races, how was he going to handle conditions that seemed to be against his running style?

But a funny thing happened on the way to the winner's circle, the starting gate opened and Kevin Krigger decided to take back aboard Goldencents and let Gary Stevens clear the field aboard Oxbow. Expected pace pressure from Govenor Charlie never came and Julien Leparoux had Titletown Five farther back than expected.

So even on a deep, tiring track, here was Stevens loose on an uncontested lead, crawling through the first half in :48.60 and six furlongs in 1:13.26. He kept Oxbow well off the rail, and going up the backstretch Joel Rosario found himself racing in midpack aboard Derby winner and heavy favorite Orb. When he tried to surge forward, he wanted to go to the inside but Leparoux was making a middle move down there on Titletown Five and Orb had to back off.

At one point, Orb was shuffled back to seventh and at no point did it look like he was going to win. The inside/outside trip we all anticipated where Rosario would let the speed clear out, save ground on the first turn, then rally wide from way behind never happened because the speed did not clear out. He wound up racing down near the inside, which was the worst part of the track, and it wasn't just the rail but three or four of the inside paths.

I liked Departing and at one point around the far turn, he was about to go into second place with only Oxbow in front of him. Unfortunately, he was on the inside part of the track and you could see from his stride that he was having trouble grabbing the track and was not going to be a serious threat.

Oxbow turned for home with a clear advantage and opened the lead to three lengths with a furlong to go. Johnny Velazquez, who luckily had Itsmyluckyday on the outside from post 9, was making up some ground and Rosie Napravnik had My Lute in a drive from far back. Neither threatened Oxbow but they did have a wide margin over Orb, who re-rallied to get up for fourth.

Stevens almost leapt out of the saddle when Oxbow hit the finish line and screamed, "Are you kidding me?"

My sentiments exactly.

You can handicap track biases until the cows come home but there is nothing like lone speed. And uncontested lone speed is even more dangerous, no matter how slow the track might be.

At the age of 77, Wayne Lukas won his 14th Triple Crown race and has now passed the immortal Sunny Jim Fitzsimmons for most wins in America's classic races. Combined with his 19 Breeders' Cup victories, most earned when the Breeders' Cup was a one-day event with only seven races, Wayne is the Jack Nicklaus of our sport.

By the way, in case anyone forgot, he is a member of the Quarter Horse Hall of Fame as well, with 23 champions including the legendary Dash for Cash. At one point, he trained the winners of 18 straight $100K stakes races in southern California over a three-year period in the 1970s.

At the age of 77, Lukas has had a resurgence in his career, employing the same methods that he always used. But he now has some serious money behind him with Brad Kelley's revived Calumet Farm. With the yearling sales coming up, I'm sure the guy in the cowboy hat will be busy bidding against everyone.

HANDICAPPING INSIGHTS

MAY 24, 2013

by Dick Powell

The good thing about last Saturday's Preakness Stakes is when the action leaves Maryland for its summer home at Colonial Downs, they can plant corn on the main track. Because after watching the races from Pimlico last Friday and Saturday, that's what I thought they should do with it.

I don't want to see return to the days of Tank's Prospect and Farma Way, who not only set a stakes record in the Pimlico Special for 1 3/16 miles but equaled the American record for the distance -- 1:52.40.

But when the nine furlongs of the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes took 1:52.73, which was the second slowest since the race was switched back to its current nine-furlong distance, and the 1 3/16 miles of the Pimlico Special took 1:58.50, which was the slowest since 1958, clearly something is wrong.

For Preakness Day, there was a forecast of possible showers and it did not look like the main track was watered enough. Watch the Preakness and focus on the cloud of dust that was being kicked up by the horses and how deep the track was. It was no surprise that it took 1:57.54, the slowest since Carry Back in 1961, for this year's renewal.

Knowing how the track was on Friday, it still was surprising to me that the track was so slow on Saturday. If the showers had been more severe, it probably would have been a very different track. But what little rain that came was not enough to have an effect on the track and it was a situation that reminded me of Animal Kingdom's Kentucky Derby, when expected showers just missed the track and it wound up being deep and cuppy which favored horses running on the outside.

Oxbow was a possible contender for Saturday's Preakness based on the fact that he was the only horse in the Derby that raced up near the pace and held on some in the stretch run. But when you watched the preceding races, how was he going to handle conditions that seemed to be against his running style?

But a funny thing happened on the way to the winner's circle, the starting gate opened and Kevin Krigger decided to take back aboard Goldencents and let Gary Stevens clear the field aboard Oxbow. Expected pace pressure from Govenor Charlie never came and Julien Leparoux had Titletown Five farther back than expected.

So even on a deep, tiring track, here was Stevens loose on an uncontested lead, crawling through the first half in :48.60 and six furlongs in 1:13.26. He kept Oxbow well off the rail, and going up the backstretch Joel Rosario found himself racing in midpack aboard Derby winner and heavy favorite Orb. When he tried to surge forward, he wanted to go to the inside but Leparoux was making a middle move down there on Titletown Five and Orb had to back off.

At one point, Orb was shuffled back to seventh and at no point did it look like he was going to win. The inside/outside trip we all anticipated where Rosario would let the speed clear out, save ground on the first turn, then rally wide from way behind never happened because the speed did not clear out. He wound up racing down near the inside, which was the worst part of the track, and it wasn't just the rail but three or four of the inside paths.

I liked Departing and at one point around the far turn, he was about to go into second place with only Oxbow in front of him. Unfortunately, he was on the inside part of the track and you could see from his stride that he was having trouble grabbing the track and was not going to be a serious threat.

Oxbow turned for home with a clear advantage and opened the lead to three lengths with a furlong to go. Johnny Velazquez, who luckily had Itsmyluckyday on the outside from post 9, was making up some ground and Rosie Napravnik had My Lute in a drive from far back. Neither threatened Oxbow but they did have a wide margin over Orb, who re-rallied to get up for fourth.

Stevens almost leapt out of the saddle when Oxbow hit the finish line and screamed, "Are you kidding me?"

My sentiments exactly.

You can handicap track biases until the cows come home but there is nothing like lone speed. And uncontested lone speed is even more dangerous, no matter how slow the track might be.

At the age of 77, Wayne Lukas won his 14th Triple Crown race and has now passed the immortal Sunny Jim Fitzsimmons for most wins in America's classic races. Combined with his 19 Breeders' Cup victories, most earned when the Breeders' Cup was a one-day event with only seven races, Wayne is the Jack Nicklaus of our sport.

By the way, in case anyone forgot, he is a member of the Quarter Horse Hall of Fame as well, with 23 champions including the legendary Dash for Cash. At one point, he trained the winners of 18 straight $100K stakes races in southern California over a three-year period in the 1970s.

At the age of 77, Lukas has had a resurgence in his career, employing the same methods that he always used. But he now has some serious money behind him with Brad Kelley's revived Calumet Farm. With the yearling sales coming up, I'm sure the guy in the cowboy hat will be busy bidding against everyone.

SPOT PLAYS

For Saturday

For Saturday

*all times Eastern

HIGHLIGHTS

For Saturday

*all times Eastern

HANDICAPPER'S EDGE is compiled by Bloodstock Research Information Services. This newsletter may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without the prior written permission of the copyright owner. Copyright 2011, Bloodstock Research Information Services. Information as to the races, race results and earnings was obtained from Equibase Company LLC and is utilized herein with the permission of the copyright owner, Equibase Company LLC.

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