ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Soaring Free will try to avenge his shocking recent loss in the restricted Ontario Jockey Club Stakes in the Grade 2 Play the King Handicap on Saturday at Woodbine.
The $230,800 event, a major prep for the Grade 1 Atto Mile on Sept. 18, has lured a strong 13-horse field set to go seven furlongs on the grass.
AUBURN, Wash. - Itstufftobe-good will carry a steadying 126 pounds when he shoots for his fifth straight win in Saturday's third leg of the Harley H. Hoppe and Associates Marathon Champion Series, which will be run under $10,000 starter handicap conditions at 1 1/2 miles.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Langara Lass looks like a standout in the $40,000 Lassie Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at Hastings Saturday. Not only is she the lone stakes winner in the race, but the 6 1/2-furlong sprint should set up perfectly for her.
Langara Lass made a strong late run in the stretch to win the 6 1/2-furlong Timber Music Stakes July 9, and with four speed horses lined up against her, she figures to be tough to handle if she makes a similar move in the Lassie.
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - I Thee Wed was sent off at 26-1 when he won the Grade 2 Nearctic Handicap over six furlongs on "good" turf here last fall. Though his price doesn't figure to be quite that long in Saturday's Grade 2 Play the King, I Thee Wed is still well worth considering as a longshot play.
A seven-furlong turf race, the Play the King has attracted 13 entrants.
FORT ERIE, Ontario - Tom Gostlin, Fort Erie's racing secretary, was pleasantly shocked at the response to the 1 1/4-mile race he wrote for Saturday.
The longest race carded this year to date, the race drew 11 horses.
"It's encouraging to see something that distance go," said Gostlin. "It's the Derby distance - classic racing. We usually try and write some long races for horses that are headed for the Tour de Fort."
SASKATOON, Saskatchewan - Beauzak's allowance score here Aug. 6 has propelled the 5-year-old gelding to the role of logical choice in Saturday's $6,000 Old Dutch Handicap at Marquis Downs. The Old Dutch, run at 1 1/16 miles, has drawn a competitive field of seven older horses, including former Saskatchewan horses of the year Double Time and Rouge Royale.
Usually Apology Accepted?s speed is what makes her effective. Last time, however, it was her speed that got her in trouble.
Making her turf debut, Apology Accepted abandoned her stalking style and made the pace under pressure, succumbing in the final furlong. If Apology Accepted can use her speed more judiciously, she has a good chance to get back on track in Saturday?s Bay Meadows feature, an optional-claiming race for 3-year-old fillies that drew a field of seven going a mile on the turf.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - It took a little time to shake off the cobwebs following her Eclipse Award-winning 3-year-old campaign. But the reigning Breeders' Cup Distaff champion is again hitting on all cylinders, and in her present form stands out over the six other fillies and mares she will face in Friday's $400,000 Personal Ensign Stakes at Saratoga.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Steve Asmussen's 2-year-old crop has accounted for 6 of his 10 wins at this summer's Saratoga meet. Arguably his most impressive filly hasn't been seen here yet.
, undefeated in two starts, including a victory in the Grade 3 Debutante at Churchill Downs, will try to carry her speed seven furlongs against six rivals in Friday's Grade 2, $250,000 Spinaway Stakes at Saratoga. Jerry Bailey rides Effectual from post 3.
DEL MAR, Calif. - A filly running against males, was unlucky to lose by a nose in an optional claimer at Del Mar on July 28 It was a heartbreak loss for trainer Neil Drysdale.
"We've had lots of them," Drysdale said, reflecting on his Del Mar meeting.
Friday, Cold Cold Woman can win her first stakes in the United States in the $80,000 California Thoroughbred Trainers and Thoroughbred Owners of California Handicap for fillies and mares over 1 3/8 miles on turf.
