OCEANPORT, N.J. - Preakness winner Bernardini asserted his leadership role in the 3-year-old division with an authoritative win in the Jim Dandy Stakes. But with Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro retired and Belmont Stakes winner Jazil sidelined with a bruised cannon bone, the ranks are still thin.
Behind Bernardini is a gap that could close with a victory Sunday in the Grade 1, $1 million Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park.
OCEANPORT, N.J. - High Blitz faces the biggest challenge of an already-successful summer in the $100,000 Teddy Drone Stakes on Sunday on the Haskell undercard at Monmouth Park.
High Blitz, trained by Justin Nixon for the Stronach Stable, is unbeaten in two starts here: the Wolf Hill Stakes and Mr. Prospector Stakes.
"He hasn't missed here yet," Nixon said. "Hopefully, it will continue. It's going to be the toughest of the three. It will be a true test of his abilities. It's a bunch of nice horses."
OCEANPORT, N.J. - Two Grade 3 turf stakes, each worth $150,000, top the Haskell Day undercard at Monmouth Park - the Matchmaker for fillies and mares and the Oceanport for 3-year-olds and up.
The Matchmaker will be part of the ESPN live coverage from 5-6 p.m., which includes the Haskell and the West Virginia Derby at Mountaineer Racetrack.
In addition to the purse, the Matchmaker, at 1 1/8 miles, offers an added bonus to the first three finishers: a stallion breeding to Northern Afleet, Southern Image, or Wildcat Heir courtesy of participating sponsor Taylor Made Farm.
DEL MAR, Calif. - Happy Ticket is a millionaire Grade 1 winner who has won in five states, raced on 10 tracks, won on grass and dirt, short and long.
But can she surf in the Pacific Ocean?
A cool seaside climate and rich $300,000 purse has lured Happy Ticket, a Louisiana-based horse, to Del Mar for the Grade 2 on Sunday. After 12 wins from 17 starts, perhaps the main question facing Happy Ticket is whether she can cope with California speed at 1 1/16 miles.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Saratoga has been a great tonic for Artie Schiller the past two summers. Trainer Jimmy Jerkens hopes that trend continues Sunday, when Artie Schiller seeks his first win of the year against four rivals in the Grade 2, $150,000 Fourstardave Handicap.
As a 3-year-old, won the Hall of Fame Stakes here after getting beat in the Virginia Derby. Last year, following a loss in the Grade 1 Manhattan Handicap at Belmont, Artie Schiller was able to run down Silver Tree here and win the Bernard Baruch.
CHICAGO - In October 2005, Elusive Jazz was in New York, finishing a close fifth of 11 in the Breeders' Cup Sprint, while down in Bossier City, La., Smalltown Slew was taking his shots in mid-level optional claiming races at Louisiana Downs. Sunday at Arlington their paths converge in the Better Bee, an overnight sprint stakes meant to serve as a local prep for the Aug. 26 Arlington BC Sprint, the lone graded sprint stakes for older horses in Chicago.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Handicappers have some of intangibles to mull over when they try to determine who is going to win Sunday's third race at Hastings. The $35,000 optional race for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles drew six horses who appear to be well matched.
EDMONTON, Alberta - Halo Steven, winner of the Alberta Derby at Stampede Park on June 17, heads a field of eight 3-year-olds in Sunday's $50,000 Count Lathum at Northlands Park. The 1 1/16-mile Count Lathum is the final local prep for the Grade 3, $300,000 Canadian Derby, a 1 3/8-mile race here Aug. 26.
Halo Steven, a Florida-bred, drew post 7 as he seeks his fourth consecutive victory.
Fans at Mountaineer Race Track hardly could have asked for a more exciting and competitive race than what awaits them Sunday with the 37th running of the Grade 3 West Virginia Derby.
The 1 1/8-mile race carries a purse of $750,000 and drew a full field that figures to make for spirited wagering. And with a cross-section of some of the most promising American 3-year-olds in the field, the winner is almost certain to enhance his stature within the division.
