SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – After a rough opening week, business at Saratoga has bounced back in a significant way to narrow the deficit through the first four weeks of the eight-week meet.

Through Sunday, which marked day 19 of the scheduled 40-day meet, all-sources handle was $367,825,396, a 3.25 percent decrease from the $380,202,615 handled during the 19 days of the 2024 meet. Ontrack handle is $59,178,522, down 3.6 percent from the $61,411,059 handled during the opening four weeks of last year’s meet.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – How does it feel for Spendthrift Farm general manager Ned Toffey to have a maiden winner at Saratoga named for him – sort of?

“As long as he can run, you can call him anything you want,” Toffey said after joining his pseudo-namesake in the winner’s circle.

Apprentice jockey Yedsit Hazlewood is back in the saddle nearly two months after sustaining multiple injuries in an early-morning car accident in June. Trainer Jose Corrales said that Hazlewood is working at Fair Hill Training Center and should be racing again at Laurel Park in September.

“It’s coming along very good,” Corrales said. “He’s already galloping some horses at Fair Hill and I have him on the Equicizer and his hands are working pretty good. He can switch the whip back and forth. He’s doing okay.”

Before Arlington Million festivities kick off at Colonial Downs on Saturday, the $100,000 Randolph D. Rouse Steeplechase will take center stage on Thursday morning. Trainer Neil Morris has entered Avakate and Love Foreverafter, a pair of mares coming off commanding maiden victories over the course in Virginia.

Avakate, a 7-year-old who has spent most of her career in Europe, finally broke through in her fourth North American start over hurdles on July 24, winning a $64,000 maiden special weight at Colonial by 12 1/2 lengths.

Because of an unlikely post position draw for the Grade 1 Arlington Million Stakes at Colonial Downs on Saturday, a clear line can be drawn within the field. The five likeliest pacesetters drew the five inside positions, while the three likeliest to close have drawn outside of them.

From the rail, 2024 Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan will make his turf debut for trainer Kenny McPeek. In four starts this year on dirt, he has not started a race more than 2 1/2 lengths behind the early leader.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Nearly 48 hours after Kilwin upset the Test Stakes here Saturday, trainer Rusty Arnold admitted he still found it a little hard to believe his filly was able to pick herself back up following a near disastrous start to win one of the most prestigious sprint races for 3-year-old fillies.

DEL MAR, Calif. – With a veteran and a rookie, trainer John Sadler had a nationwide stakes double Saturday.

Kings River Knight, an 8-year-old gelding, won his ninth stakes in the California Dreamin’ for statebreds on turf at Del Mar. Earlier in the afternoon, Hey Nay Nay remained unbeaten after two starts with an easy win in the $98,000 Tyro Stakes for 2-year-olds at five furlongs on turf at Monmouth Park.

Hey Nay Nay ($2.60) led throughout to win by seven lengths. The colt, by No Nay Never, was not urged late by jockey Paco Lopez.

DEL MAR, Calif. – Speedy Wilson, winner of the Real Good Deal Stakes for statebred 3-year-olds at seven furlongs last Friday at Del Mar, may be headed for open company and longer races.

Trainer Phil D’Amato said Sunday that he is eager to try Speedy Wilson around two turns, mentioning the $125,000 Shared Belief Stakes at a mile on Aug. 31 as a possibility.

“I’d like to stretch him out,” D’Amato said.

DEL MAR, Calif. – Buetane became the latest 2-year-old colt to watch from trainer Bob Baffert’s stable after an exciting win in a maiden race Sunday at Del Mar in his first start.

In a way, it was eventful introduction to racing for Buetane, who was ridden by Juan Hernandez.

Buetane stalked early leader Cactus Charlie before taking the lead approaching the quarter pole. Buetane pulled clear of five rivals through the stretch to win by 3 1/2 lengths.