The Grade 3, $150,000 Iroquois Stakes on Saturday at Churchill Downs is the first of 35 points races toward the 2016 Kentucky Derby. Similarly, the Grade 2, $200,000 Pocahontas Stakes – the richest race of the September meet – is the first of 31 points races to the 2016 Kentucky Oaks.
The Downs at Albuquerque will open its fall meet for Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses on Friday with a record purse structure.
Trainer Todd Pletcher, already the sport’s all-time leading trainer in terms of purse money won, is closing in on the $300-million mark in earnings.
Thanks to a pair of supplemental nominations, Saturday’s co-feature, the $200,000 Temperence Hill Stakes at 1 5/8 miles on the dirt, filled with four horses.
The European invasion New York Racing Association officials had hoped would materialize for the Stars and Stripes card two months ago happened for Saturday’s Grade 2, $500,000 Sands Point Stakes at Belmont Park.
The Pickett Factor was made a slight morning-line favorite over Allied Air Raid for the Grade 2, $400,000 Super Derby on Saturday at Louisiana Downs.
Trainer Dale Romans is now looking for momentum to return his stable to a familiar contending role atop the standings at his home track, Churchill Downs.
The necessary retirement of Wise Dan this week brought to a close the competitive life of one of the finest racing Thoroughbreds of the past half century. Now his legend will live on alongside Kelso, Forego, and John Henry as the great geldings of the age, athletes of excellence with no purpose beyond the demands of pure competition.
Green Desert, one of Europe’s top sires, has been euthanized due to the infirmities of old age at Shadwell’s Nunnery Stud in Norfolk, England. He was 32.
Coming off a record-setting Saratoga meet, New York Racing Association officials hope to build on the momentum – despite some stiff competition – when Belmont Park opens its 38-day fall meet on Friday.
