DEL MAR, Calif. - John Johny Jak lost the Wickerr Stakes by a nose in his California debut at Del Mar last month.
He was one notch better in Wednesday’s $99,390 Harry Brubaker Stakes at Del Mar.

Welcome to Spa Babies! I'll break down the statistics for every juvenile contest at the meet and hope for a tidy profit.

In past years, I would list the stats for each horse before writing up my analysis, selections and wagering strategy. In order to streamline the content, this year's Spa Babies will showcase written analyses of each juvenile race. Each analysis will include relevant statistical information. Following the analysis, top three selections and wagering strategy will be provided.

Wednesday's results:
Race 5:  Malibu Wave finished sixth

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Whitney Handicap winner Tizway returned to the work tab Wednesday morning, breezing four furlongs in 49.69 seconds over the Oklahoma training track.

Saratoga clockers caught him in fractions of 12.90 seconds for the first eighth and 25.07 for the opening quarter.

“It was his first work back – just test the engine and make sure there’s still some gasoline in it,” said trainer James Bond. “Everybody seems to be happy so far.”

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Still in search of his first win as a 3-year-old, To Honor and Serve drops into allowance company in Friday’s eighth race, a third-level allowance heat at 1 1/8 miles.

To Honor and Serve, a multiple graded stakes winner at 2, is winless in three starts this year, including a third-place finish in both the Fountain of Youth and Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park before an injury put him on the sidelines. He returned with a sixth-place finish in the Grade 2 Amsterdam at 6 1/2 furlongs here on Aug 1.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. -   Trainer Gary Contessa’s personal quest to sweep all three legs of the Big Apple Triple for 3-year-old New York breds ended just a few strides from the finish line when the 26-1 Bigger is Bettor ran down his 3-5 Socialsaul to register a three-quarter- length victory in Wednesday’s $100,000 Albany Stakes at Saratoga.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Three weeks ago, trainer Todd Pletcher got to have a little fun – and stakes success – at the expense one of his primary owners, Mike Repole, when Ibboyee ran down Be Bullish to win the $75,000 John Morrissey Stakes in the final stride at Saratoga.

While owned by Repole – who has the majority of his stock with Pletcher – Be Bullish is trained by George Weaver. Ibboyee is owned by longtime Pletcher clients Anita and Stuart Subotnick.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Saturday is Travers day at Saratoga, but even a race as prestigious as the Travers may have to share some of the spotlight on this particular Saturday with the Grade 1 King’s Bishop, which features the much-anticipated return of reigning 2-year-old champion Uncle Mo.

DEL MAR, Calif. – Jockey Tyler Baze has attended counseling for alcoholism and has signed an agreement for alcohol testing with the California Horse Racing Board in the aftermath of a failed Breathalyzer test at Del Mar last Friday, according to Del Mar stewards.

Baze met with track stewards Wednesday and told them that he has attended three Alcoholics Anonymous meetings in recent days. The signed agreement allows the racing board to conduct frequent alcohol testing, according to steward Scott Chaney.

AUBURN, Wash. -- The handicap division at Emerald Downs, dominated by Noosa Beach for the past two years, gained a formidable new member last Sunday when Posse Power finished third in the Grade 3 Longacres Mile for trainer Frank Lucarelli. But with the final open stakes race for older horses in the books, Posse Power will have to take his show on the road before he returns to Emerald next spring.

Jockey Richard Gilliard was in critical condition Wednesday at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Indianapolis with a head injury and multiple bone fractures as the result of a spill following the end of the last race Tuesday evening at Hoosier Park.

Gilliard, 27, was thrown from his mount, the 2-year-old Quarter Horse MCM He Be Azoomin, who drifted outward late in the race and finished second. MCM He Be Azoomin then ran into the paddock entry rail, causing Gilliard to hit the rail as well.