OCEANPORT, N.J. − Hasay returns to Monmouth Park on Saturday to defend her title in the $60,000 Omnibus Stakes for fillies and mares on the turf.
A 5-year-old trained by Graham Motion, Hasay faces nine rivals in the Omnibus, a 1 3/8-mile marathon around three turns. She captured last year’s Omnibus by one length, scoring her first U.S. victory after starting her career in Europe.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Demonstrative made a strong statement that he is a steeplechase horse with a bright future, winning Thursday’s Grade 1, $150,000 New York Turf Writers Steeplechase at Saratoga by one length over Charminster.
It was the second straight win at this meet for Demonstrative, who on July 26 took the Jonathan Kiser Novice Stakes by two lengths.
EDMONTON, Alberta – Hastings-based horses will have a big impact on the three stakes races supporting the Grade 3, $200,000 Canadian Derby at Northlands on Saturday. That is especially true in the $50,000 Westerner Handicap for 3-year-olds and up that goes as the 11th race.
EDMONTON, Alberta – The 1 3/8-mile marathon distance of the Grade 3, $200,000 Canadian Derby at Northlands Park on Saturday always plays an important role in the outcome of the race. If the derby was contested at 1 1/8 miles or less, Devil in Disguise would be as close to a lock as you can find. But there is no guarantee he will be able to handle going four turns over the five-eighth-mile Northlands oval for the first time.
DEL MAR, Calif. – Almost by default, Dhaamer has risen to the top of the California turf marathon division in recent months.
In a division that lacks depth, Dhaamer has made the most of his opportunities, winning consecutive stakes over 1 1/2 miles on turf in May and July at Betfair Hollywood Park.
[Complete coverage of racing at Del Mar: News, PPs, and video]
She’s Regal, who suffered her first defeat of the season when she ran second to Northlands invader Claresmiezie in the open one-mile Assiniboia Oaks, is back with fellow Manitoba-bred 3-year-olds for Saturday’s $30,000 Jack Hardy Stakes at Assiniboia Downs.
While She’s Regal also was entered in Saturday’s $50,000 Distaff, a restricted one-mile stakes in which she would have to face the formidable older mare Golden Stripe, it would seem likely that her trainer, Chad Torevell, will opt for the $30,000 Jack Hardy at 1 1/16 miles.
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Blue Heart will try to rebound from a hard-luck race in the Wonder Where Stakes on Saturday at Woodbine in the Grade 3, $150,000 Ontario Colleen Stakes. The one-mile grass route attracted a solid field of 3-year-old fillies, including the Maryland shipper Colonial Flag and a trio of Mark Casse-trained runners.
After finishing a close third in the June 3 Alywow Stakes, Blue Heart won her second start off a long layoff, traveling 1 1/16 miles on the Polytrack in the $250,000 Bison City Stakes.
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Sunday’s seven-furlong Play the King is the local stakes stepping-stone to the Grade 1 Woodbine Mile, the $1 million turf race which will be renewed on Sept. 16. But the Play the King itself is a prize well worth winning, with Grade 2 status and a purse of $200,000, and has attracted a competitive field of 11 with most looking to have a chance at reeling in the top prize.
One entrant who is overdue to land the big one is Big Band Sound.
DEL MAR, Calif. – Game On Dude, who won the Hollywood Gold Cup in his last start, drew post 9 and was installed as the 5-2 favorite when a field of 10 was entered and post positions drawn on Wednesday night for the Grade 1, $1 million Pacific Classic on Sunday at Del Mar. The draw took place at Burlap, a popular local restaurant a few miles from the track.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Willy Beamin made news late Wednesday morning when he was entered in the Grade 1 King's Bishop, not the Travers, as originally planned. The former claimer made even more news several hours later by drawing away to an easy 6 1/4-length victory over Zivo to post his fifth consecutive victory in the $150,000 Albany Stakes at Saratoga.
