LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Golden Soul, the longshot runner-up in the Kentucky Derby, was withheld from the Virginia Derby on the grass at Colonial Downs last weekend to run instead in the July 29 Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park.
Trainer Dallas Stewart said early this week before leaving Louisville for Saratoga that he did not want to risk a second straight subpar race for his stable star. The colt ran ninth in the June 8 Belmont Stakes in his only start since the Kentucky Derby.
DEL MAR, Calif. – With a stakes win at the Betfair Hollywood Park meeting last month, the diminutive Sprouts has already outgrown expectations for the first months of her 2-year-old season.
“She’d be lucky if she goes 950,” trainer Edward Freeman said. “She’s not big.”
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Away from the races since her 38-1 upset in the Kentucky Oaks 11 weeks ago, Princess of Sylmar returns to action Saturday against just four rivals in the $300,000 Coaching Club American Oaks at Saratoga, the first of 18 Grade 1 races to be run at the meet.
OCEANPORT, N.J. – There are several intriguing 3-year-old fillies in the co-featured $42,000 first-level allowances on Friday at Monmouth Park.
First up comes the 1 1/16-mile race on the turf, where Tap It Easy makes her first start for trainer Ben Perkins Jr.
One race later, the action shifts to the main track at one mile, 70 yards as Lucky Rag Doll, a blowout maiden winner, stretches out for the Pat McBurney barn.
Tap It Easy started twice in Florida earlier this year for trainer Chad Brown, both times on dirt against statebreds at seven furlongs.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Coming off a Churchill Downs meet in which he won 11 races restricted to juveniles, trainer Steve Asmussen comes to Saratoga with a strong hand to play in the sextet of 2-year-old stakes.
[SARATOGA 2013: Complete meet coverage, exclusive DRF videos]
BOSSIER CITY, La. – For someone just six months removed from back surgery, jockey Beverly Burress is getting around pretty good these days. So good in fact, that the 28-year-old Shreveport, La., native is starting to win at the rate that produced a top-10 finish in the rider standings at Louisiana Downs in 2012 when she made 27 trips to the winner’s circle.
“I feel great,” Burress said. “I’ve got my legs back now and my timing is getting better every day.”
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – He may not be quite as hot as the weather will be on opening day at Saratoga, but Souper Speedy has been hot enough of late to be considered the one to beat in Friday’s Grade 3, $100,000 James Marvin Stakes.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – On Aug. 3, 2012, Oxbow finished last at 22-1 in his debut. The following day, Palace Malice won a maiden race at 1-5 in his second career start. On Aug. 18, Orb, after jumping in the air at the break, rallied to finish third to Violence in what was the career debut for both 2-year-olds.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.– In the last four months, Joel Rosario has conquered Dubai, England, Lexington, and Louisville.
Is Saratoga next?
