DEL MAR, Calif. – Patrick Valenzuela launched his latest comeback in California at Del Mar on Wednesday, hoping, once again, to regain a spot among the circuit’s top riders and avoid another career derailment caused by substance abuse problems.
Valenzuela needed little time gaining support from owners and trainers. He has seven mounts on Saturday’s 10-race program, including Enriched in $200,000 San Diego Handicap.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - The gate problems that plagued Perfect Shirl early in her career are a thing of the past, and the 3-year-old filly is now able to show off her true talent.

Harrah’s Entertainment has closed its acquisition of Thistledown racetrack near Cleveland, from former owner MI Developments, Harrah’s said on Wednesday.

The acquisition will add another racetrack to Harrah’s holdings, which consist mostly of casinos. The company also owns Louisiana Downs, a racetrack and casino, and has a half-share in Turfway Park in Florence, Ky., south of Cincinnati.

OCEANPORT, N.J. – Trainer Patrick Biancone was very confident heading into the $400,000 Lady’s Secret Stakes last Saturday at Monmouth Park.

Biancone never dreamed his Queen Martha would upset the defending Horse of the Year, Rachel Alexandra. Biancone did firmly believe he was sending out the second-best horse.

Queen Martha proved him right.

DEL MAR, Calif. – Enriched will return following a week-long break in Saturday’s $200,000 San Diego Handicap at Del Mar, just seven days after a third in the Grade 1 Eddie Read Stakes on turf.

It will not be the quickest turnaround of his career. Last fall, Enriched finished fifth in the Grade 1 Citation Handicap at Hollywood Park on Friday, Nov. 27, and then finished second in an optional claimer on Wednesday, Dec. 2, just five days later.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – A small but select field of seven, led by two time defending champion Forever Together, was drawn for Saturday’s Grade 1 Diana at Saratoga. The group of fillies and mares includes the late inclusion of 2008 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf winner Maram.

Chad Brown, tied with Todd Pletcher for the top spot in the trainer standings with three winners on opening weekend, said he wrestled with the notion of running Maram in the Diana for several weeks before ultimately deciding to pull the trigger and put her in the entry box.

BOSSIER city, La. – A competitive third-level allowance/optional claimer for fillies and mares tops the menu on Friday afternoon at Louisiana Downs with a variety of betting options available to the public. The mile and 70-yard affair on the main track drew a field of seven and goes as the third race of the afternoon.

AUBURN, Wash. – The training title is very much up for grabs as Emerald Downs enters the final two months of its 89-day meeting. Vann Belvoir began the week with 39 victories, one ahead of Frank Lucarelli and Tim McCanna, and those three are poised to duke it out over the final 33 days.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The last time Weathered raced at Saratoga, it was against Grade 1 competition last summer in the Go For Wand Handicap and Personal Ensign. When the hard-knocking mare returns to the Spa on Friday, she’ll find the opposition far less formidable taking on fellow New York-breds in the $70,000 Fleet Indian Stakes.

AUBURN, Wash. – Claiming activity, surprisingly brisk at Emerald Downs this summer, reached a crescendo of sorts last Sunday when two horses, both promising 2-year-old maidens, were taken from the first race. The purchase price for each was $30,000, a hefty sum at a track with a daily average purse distribution of about $90,000.