Wonderment overcame some adversity to win her career debut July 9 at Belmont Park. On Sunday, she’ll have to overcome a short turnaround if she is to win her second start in the $125,000 Lynbrook Stakes, the closing-day feature at Belmont Park.
Trainer Todd Pletcher said Friday despite the imposing presence of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, he has the Grade 1 Haskell under consideration for Competitive Edge, who suffered his first defeat in five career starts when finishing a disappointing sixth as the odds-on favorite in the Grade 2 Woody Stephens on Belmont Stakes day.
Trainer Anita Bolton said Aditya came out of his sharp win in a $25,000 optional-claiming race last Sunday in good order and will make his next start in the $50,000 B.C. Cup Stellar’s Jay on B.C. Cup Day Aug. 5. The Stellar’s Jay is one of six stakes races that will make up the bulk of the B.C. Cup Day card.
Stryker Phd and his pursuers in the handicap division at Emerald Downs will take their final serious test before the Longacres Mile when a field of 11 starts Sunday in the $50,000 Mt. Rainier Handicap at 1 1/16 miles.
Rosie Napravnik said Friday from Saratoga that she is not considering a return to race-riding, although she does hope to start exercising horses soon as a means to becoming fit again.
First Valiant Sign has a great deal at stake Sunday in the Grade 1, $1 million Rainbow Quarter Horse Futurity at Ruidoso Downs. By virtue of his win in last month’s Ruidoso Futurity he is the lone member of his crop still eligible for a $4 million All American Triple Crown Bonus.
Albeit, C.C. Zipp, and Pretty N Cool will have their first starts in what could be a memorable maiden race for 2-year-old fillies at five furlongs in Sunday’s sixth race at Del Mar.
Kung Fu Mambo, who ended a layoff of more than 2 1/2 years with a win in an optional claimer at Santa Anita last month, will have his American stakes debut in the $200,000 San Diego Handicap at 1 1/16 miles on July 25.
There is a bigger prize awaiting Soul Driver, winner of Thursday’s Oceanside Stakes at Del Mar, later this summer. He will target the $250,000 Del Mar Derby on Sept. 6, a race in which trainer Jeff Mullins has an accomplished recent history.
The $70,000 Miss Woodford at Monmouth Park on Sunday proved popular with horsemen and drew a field of 11. The six-furlong sprint for 3-year-old fillies has enticed entries from four trainers who, as of Friday, had not started a horse at the meet.
