LOUISVILLE, Ky. – It’s usually something important that pulls trainer Dale Romans away from his summer haven at Saratoga. The second start for a 2-year-old maiden named Dennis’ Moment qualifies.

“We think he’s a good horse, possibly one of my best,” said Romans.

Dennis’ Moment will run in the seventh race Saturday at Ellis Park in western Kentucky, and Romans will be on hand. With his daily training at Churchill Downs being overseen by longtime Romans assistant Baldemar Bahena, the Tiznow colt will try to erase the dubious memory of his eventful June 23 debut at Churchill.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Trainer Mike Doyle, who doubles as a racing consultant for Stronach Stable, said the popular 2017 Queen’s Plate winner Holy Helena is spending some downtime this summer at his Woodbine barn in preparation for a fall campaign here.

Formerly based in New York with trainer Jimmy Jerkens, Holy Helena is coming off a victory over another Canadian champion, Starship Jubilee, in the Grade 2 Dance Smartly here June 29.

After cards were canceled last Friday and Saturday at Ellis Park because of oppressive heat, the first of two possible makeup dates will be run Monday. Double entries for the coming Sunday and Monday cards were to be drawn Thursday.

Ellis racing secretary Dan Bork said a decision will wait on whether a second makeup date will be held on a Monday in August. “It’ll depend on how fans respond,” said Bork. “If it’s well received, we’ll plan a second one. If not, we’ll probably just tack on races as the meet goes on.”

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – A surface change to dirt and blinkers off were two keys to victory for Tone Broke in Tuesday’s $400,000 Prince of Wales Stakes, the middle leg of the Canadian Triple Crown at Fort Erie.

Based at Churchill Downs with trainer Steve Asmussen, Tone Broke had zero synthetic-track experience when he finished a creditable third to One Bad Boy and Avie’s Flatter in the $1 million Queen’s Plate on the Tapeta on June 29 at Woodbine.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The new $8 million inner turf course, on the same hallowed ground over which the great Secretariat completed his final race, has gotten rave reviews from horsemen.

DEL MAR, Calif. - Hall of Fame jockey Victor Espinoza will be the guest of honor at a dinner Aug. 12 that raises money for the Gregson Foundation, which funds scholarships for children of backstretch employees.

The Gregson Foundation is named in honor of the late trainer Eddie Gregson, who won the 1982 Kentucky Derby with Gato Del Sol. To date, according to Jenine Sahadi, the former trainer who is the president of the foundation, more than 600 students have been helped.

DEL MAR, Calif. - Trainer Ron Ellis got off to a hot start opening week with a pair of wins and a second-place finish from just five starters.

Both wins came Saturday, with the debuting maiden 3-year-old filly First Star and the 5-year-old gelding Ronald R, who won an optional claimer in his first start for Ellis following a 14-month layoff.

“The filly, it was nice to see her show up,” Ellis said. “The other horse was coming off a long layoff, and I was afraid he’d be a little rusty. He had been training real well, and everything set up right.

DEL MAR, Calif. - Bombard and Bowies Hero won different grass stakes for older horses Sunday, but their paths look like they’ll cross next month, as both are intended for the Grade 2, $200,000 Del Mar Mile on Aug. 18.

Bombard, a 6-year-old gelding, won the restricted Wickerr going one mile in his second start since an 11-month layoff necessitated by knee surgery, the third of his career, said his trainer, Richard Mandella.

DEL MAR, Calif. – Trainer Richard Mandella can play his cards close to the vest, but he gave away his tell Tuesday morning at Del Mar after his top-class 3-year-old colt Omaha Beach had his first work on the comeback trail.

Mandella was smiling broadly, and did a little jig, as he watched Omaha Beach cool out at his barn following a three-furlong workout that was his first drill since prior to the Kentucky Derby.

“We’re back!” he said. “He looked pretty happy.”

So did Mandella.

Colonial Downs in New Kent, Virginia, will have takeout rates of 16 percent for its win, place, and show pools and a rate of 20 percent for nearly all other bets when the track reopens in August, the track announced on Monday.