ALTOONA, Iowa – Prairie Meadows showcases Iowa-bred talent Saturday with its annual Iowa Classic Night, a series of seven divisional stakes worth over $500,000 in total prize money.

The $85,000-added Ralph Hayes, a 1 1/16-mile test for 4-year-olds and up, drew eight rivals and brings together an intriguing mix of battle-hardened veterans and improving sorts.

The old guard is led by the 6-year-olds Cainam, a deep closer, and Ice Hockey, an ultra-consistent runner who is always in the thick of the action.

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

DEL MAR, Calif. – From 2008 to 2011, the top horse in trainer Art Sherman’s stable was the mare Ultra Blend, a millionaire who won eight stakes ranging from a Grade 1 to restricted races for California-breds.

Sherman is hoping that California Chrome can win the same kinds of races in his career.

Can any of the horses lined up against Commander in the $50,000 Fred Jones Handicap at Northlands Park Saturday beat him? Not if he runs his usual race is the unfortunate answer for the connections of the four other horses in the field.

Commander has not lost going around three turns at Northlands, and he will be heavily favored to win the mile and a sixteenth feature for 3-year-olds and up.

Trainer Dennis Terry is not taking anything for granted.

“There are some very nice horses in the field and it could be a tough race for him,” Terry said.

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

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Saturday’s $100,000 De La Rose Stakes is ungraded and restricted to filly and mares who have not won a graded stakes on turf this season. But for Group 2 winner Laugh Out Loud, the one-mile overnight stakes could be a career-defining race.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. –  Mr. Hot Stuff had a brief fling with stardom as a 3-year-old in 2009 after finishing third in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby and competing in both the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes later that spring.

Four years later, the former flat runner stamped himself as an up-and-coming star in the steeplechase world by virtue of his 2 1/2-length victory over the Jonathan Sheppard-trained duo of Italian Wedding and Divine Fortune in the Grade 1 A. P. Smithwick Memorial Steeplechase Stakes on a soggy Thursday afternoon at Saratoga.

OCEANPORT, N.J. – Wicked Tune puts a three-race winning streak on the line Saturday at Monmouth Park in the $60,000 My Frenchman Stakes for turf sprinters.

A 6-year-old trained by Jane Cibelli, Wicked Tune registered Beyer Speed Figures of 90 or better in all three victories, topping out most recently with a career-best 97 in a second-level allowance race at Delaware Park.

That kind of consistency makes him a top contender against six rivals going 5 1/2 furlongs from the infield sprint chute.

Lil Missknowitall, has had all the answers this year at Assiniboia Downs, and she will be looking for her fourth local victory in as many starts when she faces four rivals in Saturday’s Winnipeg Sun.

The Winnipeg Sun, a 1 1/16-mile race for fillies and mares, offers a purse of $30,000 and will be run as the third of eight races on the card.

Lil Missknowitall, trained by Jim Meyaard, was claimed from a win for $8,000 at Oaklawn Park this spring and won a 6 1/2-furlong stakes at Fonner Park in her first start for her new barn.

SANTA ROSA, Calif. – When Billy Morey arranged for the purchase of Rush In last fall, he hoped that lighning would strike twice. Morey bought Positive Response in 2011, and the gelding has gone on to be a multiple stakes winner.

While Rush In has yet to win a stakes, he has turned out to be a solid allowance horse, and on Saturday at the Sonoma County Fair he is a top contender in the $50,000-added Robert Dupret Derby for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles on the turf.

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

DEL MAR, Calif. – Include Me Out had her best season in 2012, winning three stakes and finishing third in the Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic at Santa in November. She could be on her way to equaling those accomplishments in 2013.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – On Rainbow Bridge followed up on her encouraging opener with a solid score in the 5 1/2-furlong Shady Well here July 14. On Saturday, On Rainbow Bridge will be looking to add another feather to her cap when she takes the subtle drop from Ontario-foaled to Ontario-sired 2-year-old filly company in the $125,000, six-furlong Nandi Stakes.