DEL MAR, Calif. – Miss Southern Miss, second in the Landaluce Stakes at Santa Anita on July 9, is the leading contender in what is likely to be a small field for the $200,000 Sorrento Stakes for 2-year-old fillies next Saturday.

The Grade 2 Sorrento Stakes is run at 6 1/2 furlongs and is a leading prep for the $300,000 Del Mar Debutante at seven furlongs on Sept. 3. Only 10 were nominated for the Sorrento. Fillies such as Auntjenn, Back Off, Morganite, and Unforgivable U are other candidates.

Morganite won her debut here July 16 in a maiden race at five furlongs.

DEL MAR, Calif. – In a little less than three hours at Del Mar on Friday, three 2-year-olds won in ways that suggest they will play important roles in stakes in the final week of the summer meeting.

You’re Late won her stakes debut in Friday’s $98,000 California Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association Stakes for California-bred fillies. With Honors won her career debut in a maiden race on turf for fillies, and Elwood J won his debut against California-bred 2-year-olds at 5 1/2 furlongs.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – Mondialiste appears to have earned himself a third trip to North America with a good second-place finish last Saturday in the York Stakes.

Mondialiste is one of several European horses being pointed to the Aug. 13 Arlington Million, according to the International Racing Bureau, which helps recruit horses for the Million Day stakes and coordinates international travel for European interests.

Frosted completed his preparations for next Saturday’s Grade 1, $1.25 million Whitney Invitational with an easy half-mile breeze in 49.66 seconds Friday morning over the synthetic surface at Greentree, a training facility adjacent to Saratoga.

“The good news is, we know he’s fast,” said Jimmy Bell of Godolphin Stables.

Added trainer Kiaran McLaughlin: “The key is working weekly, happy, and doing well. We’re there.”

In the Whitney, Frosted will be making his first start since his powerful 14 1/4-length victory in the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap on June 11.

After four days off following her dynamic victory in last Sunday’s Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks, Songbird returned to the track Friday morning, jogging once around the Saratoga main track, interrupted by a visit to the paddock.

Shortly after 5:30 a.m., assistant trainer Christina Jelm handed Songbird and exercise rider Edgar Rodriguez off to a pony. Jelm said, “I think she’s like, ‘Yes!’ ’’

The connections of Grade 1 Mother Goose winner Off the Tracks are debating whether to run her in next Saturday’s Grade 1, $500,000 Test at seven furlongs or face the undefeated champion Songbird in the the Grade 1, $600,000 Alabama at 1 1/4 miles on Aug. 20 at Saratoga.

Friday, Off the Tracks worked a slow half-mile in 52.12 seconds over the Saratoga main track.

DEL MAR, Calif. – American Cleopatra begins her career on Sunday with a built-in fan base. The 2-year-old filly is a full sister to 2015 Triple Crown winner and Horse of the Year American Pharoah. American Cleopatra will be the center of attention in a maiden race at 5 1/2 furlongs.

“It will be the first time I’ve saddled a Triple Crown winner’s sister,” trainer Bob Baffert said Friday.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Trainer John Servis has been resigned to the fact for a while that his Kentucky Oaks winner Cathryn Sophia would not be ready to run in next Saturday’s Grade 1, $500,000 Test Stakes at Saratoga.

But after watching the filly breeze a sharp five furlongs on Friday morning at Saratoga, Servis is convinced Cathryn Sophia is on the right path to a race in the coming weeks.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Trainer Jorge Navarro said that X Y Jet is getting closer to having his first work on the comeback trail, and that he remains hopeful X Y Jet will be ready to compete in this year’s Breeders’ Cup Sprint.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Trainer Mark Casse said everything would have had to go right for his reigning female turf champion Tepin to run against the boys in the Grade 1, $500,000 Fourstardave at Saratoga on Aug. 13.

This week, things have not gone right.