Hoh Mike heads July Stakes

Hoh Mike, the unluckiest of losers at Royal Ascot, will be difficult to beat in Thursday's July Stakes at Newmarket, where as many as 10 2-year-old colts could line up for the six-furlong, Group 2 dash worth $130,000.

The 2-1 favorite in the five-furlong Group 2 Norfolk Stakes on June 22, Hoh Mike was blocked on the rail with nowhere to go inside the quarter pole. Jamie Spencer belatedly angled him over to the other side of the track, from where he finished fast to be second by 1 3/4 lengths. With a clear run on Thursday, Hoh Mike should prevail over Dazed and Amazed, winner of the listed Rose Bowl Stakes.