The last time Shakers No Secret raced at Los Alamitos, he finished third behind Empressum and Jess Good Wine in the $600,000 Champion of Champions last December. Those rivals are not part of Sunday’s $134,700 Vessels Maturity, a race in which Shakers No Secret is expected to be favored.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Western Whirl looked new and improved as a first-time gelding in his season opener on Tapeta. He switches to the main turf while trying to double up in the Sunday feature at Woodbine, a seven-furlong conditioned allowance with a $50,000 claiming option.

A need-the-lead type trained by Stuart Simon, Western Whirl went winless in seven outings in 2024, during which he wound up second three times, including in a seven-furlong main turf event.

The race of the day comes at Los Alamitos, where some hold the opinion that long layoff comebacker Sharp Azteca can give Kopion a run for her money. Sorry – no. In fact, a large number of Saturday stakes yielded a small number of appealing wagering opportunities.

Indiana Derby

If you like Instant Replay in the Indiana Derby, a solid position to take, you’d better take a long look at Heavenly Sunset in the Indiana Oaks. The pair has been working together for trainer Brad Cox at Churchill Downs, and the filly has more than held her own with the colt.

A group of highly familiar New Jersey-bred runners will square off again in the $85,000 Jersey Girl Handicap on Saturday at Monmouth Park. The 2023 and 2024 Jersey Girl winners Precious Avary and Mia’s Crusade will be directly at odds as both mares try to become repeat winners of the race.

Magnitude brings a heightened level of intrigue to the 3-year-old division on Saturday night, when he makes his much-anticipated return in the $250,000 Iowa Derby at Prairie Meadows.

The 1 1/16-mile race is one of four stakes on the final night of the Iowa Festival of Racing. The stakes are worth a cumulative $875,000 and include the Grade 3, $300,000 Cornhusker Handicap.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Mark Casse has an interesting summer mapped out for his 3-year-old filly Nitrogen – one that, if successful, he hopes could put her in contention for an Eclipse Award.

Already 5 for 5 in 2025, Nitrogen gave Casse something to ponder when she rolled to a 17-length victory in the off-the-turf Wonder Again Stakes at Saratoga last month. That race served as a paid workout for Saturday’s Grade 1, $750,000 Belmont Oaks Invitational at Saratoga on turf, but it was a performance that has Casse plotting a return to dirt in the Grade 1 Alabama here on Aug. 16.

Grand Mo the First, a 4-year-old colt trained by Victor Barboza Jr., may always be best remembered for his rose-colored try in the 2024 Kentucky Derby. His 18th-place finish that day was only a surprise to those who had him pegged for last.

Fans who have not seen the colt since that day in Kentucky have been missing out, however, as he has reinvented himself as a plucky turf specialist. On Saturday, he will be a key contender on the synthetic in the $75,000 Soldier’s Dancer Handicap at Gulfstream Park.