DEL MAR, Calif. – Blind Luck, the champion 3-year-old filly of 2010 and a three-time stakes winner this year, breezed five furlongs in 1:00.40 on Friday, preparing for a start later this month, possibly against males in the $1 million Pacific Classic here on Aug. 28.

Blind Luck worked alone and galloped out strongly, which is typical of her workouts, trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said.

Hollendorfer is between the Pacific Classic and the Personal Ensign Stakes for fillies and mares at Saratoga on Aug. 28 for Blind Luck’s next start.

AUBURN, Wash. – Chu and I and Exclusive Diva headline a stakes doubleheader for 2-year-olds Sunday at Emerald Downs. Chu and I, unbeaten in two starts, is the one to beat in the Premio Esmeralda for colts and geldings, while Exclusive Diva, an emphatic maiden winner in her only start, will be a prohibitive favorite in the Angie C for fillies. Both races are at six furlongs and carry a $50,000 purse.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. − There are parents who mark every summer at Saratoga by taking pictures of their kids, an annual record of their growth spurts. Same time, next year. The connections of Champagne d’Oro are hoping their annual trip to Saratoga results in another memorable photo, in the winner’s circle.

On Sunday, when Champagne d’Oro goes to the post in the Grade 2, $150,000 Honorable Miss Handicap at Saratoga, it will mark exactly one year since her powerful victory in the Grade 1 Test Stakes.

It will also mark one year since her last win.

Jackson Bend, impressive winner of the James Marvin Stakes here opening day, worked four furlongs in 49.30 seconds Thursday morning over the Oklahoma training track at Saratoga in preparation for a start in the Grade 1 Forego on Sept. 3. Jackson Bend, with exercise rider Maxine Correa up, worked in company with Our Dark Knight.

“He looked good,” trainer Nick Zito said. “Maxine had a ton of horse. We just have to keep him that way.”

John Velazquez, who won the Kentucky Derby aboard the now-sidelined Animal Kingdom, will ride Rattlesnake Bridge in the $1 million Travers Stakes on Aug. 27 at Saratoga, trainer Kiaran McLaughlin confirmed Friday.

Velazquez replaces Eddie Castro, who rode Rattlesnake Bridge to victory in the Long Branch Stakes at Monmouth on July 9.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – At this time last year, the connections of Trappe Shot were painstakingly trying to determine if their best chance to win a Grade 1 race was going long or short. Though their choice of the Travers seemed to make sense – he did go off the favorite in the race – it turned out to be the wrong move, as Trappe Shot finished ninth of 10 in the 1 1/4-mile race.

DEL MAR, Calif. – Trainer John Shirreffs is likely to have the favorites in the two major stakes at Del Mar next weekend.

Friday, Shirreffs said he is seriously considering starting Mr. Commons in the $150,000 La Jolla Handicap for 3-year-olds over 1 1/16 miles on turf next Saturday. Sunday, the Shirreffs-trained Harmonious will be favored in a tough running of the $250,000 John Mabee Stakes for fillies and mares over 1 1/8 miles on turf.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. − Trainer Phil Serpe has made more visits to Saratoga Hospital than he has to the winner’s circle this meet.

The day before the meet started, Serpe suffered a cracked rib in a minor motor vehicle accident. On July 29, he needed five stitches after getting kicked on the top of his head by a horse who had gotten injured − and ultimately had to be euthanized − while training.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Pop Artist and Foxcreek look like the main players in a $25,000 claiming race for 3-year-olds and up that headlines an eight-race card at Hastings on Sunday. The 6 1/2-furlong sprint drew six horses and goes as the seventh race.

Pop Artist figures to be a slight favorite over Foxcreek. Trained by Dino Condilenios, Pop Artist won three straight races at this level before he jumped up to face a tough group of $35,000 optional horses July 2. The winner, Cherokee Notion came back to finish second in the B.C. Cup Sprint last Monday.

DEL MAR, Calif. – It has been 15 years since owner Heinz Steinmann and trainer Mike Harrington won the Best Pal Stakes at Del Mar with Swiss Yodeler, a five-time stakes winner in his career.

They may have a 2-year-old as good as, or better than, Swiss Yodeler this summer with Creative Cause, the likely favorite in Sunday’s $150,000 Best Pal Stakes.