Even the best, most prepared jockeys like Flavien Prat can be subject to the whims of the thousand-pound animals upon whose back they sit. Prat had engineered a gorgeous trip for the 3-year-old colt Nagirroc easily winning the James Murphy Stakes on May 20 at Pimlico, where Prat settled his mount behind horses and burst to the lead in upper stretch. But in the July 7 Manila Stakes at Belmont, Prat found himself going head and head on a fast pace with Nagirroc, who had little left for the final furlong.

The Arlington Million, among the world’s iconic horse races, is touring America. Arlington Park in 2021, Churchill Downs in 2022, and now Colonial Downs. The Million is looking for a permanent home and on Saturday is looking for a favorite.

Back to its traditional 1 1/4 miles after being run over 1 1/8 miles last summer, the Million drew 11 entrants, none close to standing out. Atone is the morning-line favorite at 7-2, but this morning line is even more flawed than the Million participants.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – There may have been a couple of factors working against Annapolis when, as the 4-5 favorite, he was beaten one length by Casa Creed in the Grade 3 Kelso Stakes here four weeks ago.

First, Annapolis hadn’t run in 72 days, owing in part to a minor foot injury that forced him to miss a start in the Grade 3 Poker on June 10. Second, in the Kelso, Annapolis was held in along the inside by Casa Creed who got the jump on him around the far turn and held him at bay in the stretch.

Trainer Tony Rengstorf believes Sir Sterling has the propensity to get two turns in Saturday night’s $100,000 Minnesota Derby, but also said much will depend on how the pace plays out for the front-runner seeking his fourth straight win this meet at Canterbury Park.

“It’s going to depend on how much they pressure him the first half-mile,” Rengstorf said. “That’s going to have a lot to say about how the last quarter goes.”

There appears to be a good amount of speed in the $65,000 Proud Man on Saturday at Gulfstream Park, and if the fractions match the summer heat the race could set up for Divieto, Bentornato, or Northshore Drive.

The Proud Man, which is for 2-year-olds at six furlongs, leads a card that includes the $60,000 Wasted Tears for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles on Tapeta.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Rhyme Schemes not only ran fast when he won his maiden by 9 1/2 lengths July 15 at Ellis Park. The field he beat that day seems to be a good one, with three horses having come back to win and two others finishing second.

Saturday, Rhyme Schemes will likely go off a solid favorite when he meets just five rivals in the Grade 2, $200,000 Saratoga Special for 2-year-olds at 6 1/2 furlongs at Saratoga.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – After having his first opportunity to start Love Reigns over the turf this summer at Saratoga washed away when the Coronation Cup was switched to the main track on the second day of the meet, trainer Wesley Ward is hoping history won’t repeat itself when he tries to bring her back here again as the heavy favorite in Saturday’s $150,000 Galway Stakes.

Since last fall, Clovisconnection has thrived in sprints, winning three stakes at Golden Gate Fields and Emerald Downs.

A gelding, Clovisconnection is not considered a one-dimensional 3-year-old, a point trainer Blaine Wright hopes to prove in Saturday’s $75,000 Robert Dupret Derby at 1 1/16 miles on turf at the Sonoma County Fair in Santa Rosa, Calif.

“We think he’ll be a heckuva of a 4-year-old,” Wright said. “We think his future is on the turf.”

DEL MAR, Calif. – Summer vacation continues for the top female turf horse in California, but even without his Grade 1 winner Macadamia running Saturday at Del Mar, trainer Phil D’Amato is well-stocked for the Grade 2 Yellow Ribbon Handicap.

D’Amato trains three of the seven in the 1 1/16-mile turf-race – unlucky Lucky Girl, trip-compromised School Dance, and comebacker Turnerloose. Their main rival in the Yellow Ribbon is 122-pound highweight Closing Remarks, trained by Carla Gaines.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Stakes winner Ready for the Lady meets the upwardly mobile Gaston and three others in Saturday’s featured conditioned allowance with an $80,000 claiming option at Woodbine, scheduled for 1 1/4 miles on the main turf.