AUBURN, Wash. – The handicap division at Emerald Downs spent much of the past week licking its wounds after a Canadian shipper dominated the Grade 3, $200,000 Longacres Mile last Sunday.

Herbie D, based at Hastings in Vancouver, British Columbia, essentially toyed with the field in the Northwest’s signature race, setting a fast pace to repel his would-be pace adversaries and then easily holding off a wall of closers through the final furlong. Herbie D earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 100, the first triple-digit speed figure in the Longacres Mile since 2006.

This content is part of a free preview of DRF Plus. Click to learn more.

DEL MAR, Calif. – Winning Prize, a three-time Group 1 winner in Argentina in 2012, won his American debut so convincingly at Del Mar on Thursday that trainer Neil Drysdale hopes to send the colt to Keeneland for the $750,000 Shadwell Mile on Oct. 5.

The Shadwell Mile is expected to include Wise Dan, the reigning Horse of the Year.

AUBURN, Wash. – Chu and You, who has yet to be headed in two starts, looms the horse to beat Sunday in the $50,000 Barbara Shinpoch Stakes at Emerald Downs. The meeting’s second stakes race for 2-year-old fillies attracted a field of seven, with Chu and You likely to start as a narrow favorite over recent maiden winner Charismata. First post for the 10-race card is 2 p.m. Pacific.

This content is part of a free preview of DRF Plus. Click to learn more.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Royal Delta regained her spot on the throne of the older filly and mare division with a dominant victory in last month’s Grade 1 Delaware Handicap.

Sunday, she will try to keep her position against two would-be queens – Authenticity and On Fire Baby – in the Grade 1, $600,000 Personal Ensign Handicap at Saratoga.

This content is part of a free preview of DRF Plus. Click to learn more.

DEL MAR, Calif. – The reinvention of Goldencents as a sprinter can continue in Sunday’s $250,000 Pat O’Brien Stakes at Del Mar.

Already this year, Goldencents has won the Grade 3 Sham Stakes at a mile, the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby at 1 1/8 miles, and finished a game second in the Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes at six furlongs here on July 28.

This content is part of a free preview of DRF Plus. Click to learn more.

DEL MAR, Calif. – Obviously is such a standout in Sunday’s $200,000 Del Mar Mile that the three rival trainers with runners in the five-horse field are approaching the race with trepidation.

Obviously may be impossible to beat from the front in the Grade 2 turf race.

“If Obviously runs his ‘A’ race, it’s his,” said trainer John Sadler, who is running He Be Fire N Ice and Tigah.

Palace, with a little help from his entrymate, N. F.’s Destiny, played the spoiler when rallying to upset The Lumber Guy in Friday’s $100,000 Chowder’s First Stakes at Saratoga.

The Lumber Guy, who finished second in the 2012 Breeders’ Cup Sprint, was making his first start since being reunited with trainer Mike Hushion earlier this year. The Lumber Guy finished off the board in two subsequent starts following the Breeders’ Cup when left on the West Coast with trainer Neil Drysdale.

This content is part of a free preview of DRF Plus. Click to learn more.

DEL MAR, Calif. – Game On Dude is the best horse in the Pacific Classic. But he is not racing on his best surface.

The way Del Mar’s richest race of the season falls on Sunday centers on Game On Dude. If he runs to what he is capable of doing at his absolute best, he will win. If Polytrack again proves his Kryptonite, he will not.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Gentlemen’s Bet will return to New York for the Grade 1 Vosburgh as trainer Ron Moquett remains undeterred about the speedy colt’s chances of earning his way into the Breeders’ Cup Sprint.

Gentlemen’s Bet was 2-1 when finishing third of five in the Grade 1 Vanderbilt at Saratoga on Aug. 4 for just his second defeat from seven career starts. The 4-year-old Gentlemen’s Bet is back at his Churchill Downs base to train until about a week before the $400,000 Vosburgh, a six-furlong race at Belmont Park on Sept. 28.

OCEANPORT, N.J. – An inside post in a smaller field should enhance Howe Great’s chances on Sunday in the Grade 3, $100,000 Cliff Hanger Stakes on turf at Monmouth Park. The final major grass race of the meet drew seven runners for the 1 1/16-mile contest.

Howe Great figures to vie for the role of favorite with Summer Front, winner of the Grade 3 Miami Mile Handicap at Calder in his latest effort.

Hudson Steele, from the Todd Pletcher barn, also will garner support following his third-place finish in the Grade 3 Oceanport Stakes here last month.