The undefeated three-time Grade 1 futurity winner Leading Spirit is training well in his attempt to win the $2 million All American Futurity along with a $4 million bonus, according to trainer Blane Wood.
The bonus goes to the connections of a horse who can win the Ruidoso, Rainbow, and All American futurities at Ruidoso Downs. Co-owned by Barry Thompson and Dan and Jolene Urschel, Leading Spirit has won the Ruidoso and Rainbow futurities, plus the Grade 1 West Texas Futurity at Sunland Park.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Though Richard Dutrow Jr. would like Saint Liam to face the easiest competition possible, the trainer believes the presence of the speedy and talented Commentator in Saturday's Grade 1, $750,000 may actually help Saint Liam.
"I believe Saint Liam's best race is when he has a target," Dutrow said. "If Saint Liam runs his race and he likes this track, you're liable to see him run the best race he's ever run. He's going to have a target, that's for damn sure. If he likes that track, you guys are going to see Saint Liam run a huge race."
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Sense of Style, undefeated at Saratoga, returns to the scene of her most impressive win when she runs in Saturday's Grade 1 Test.
After winning her career debut here last year, Sense of Style came back 19 days later to win the Grade 1 Spinaway by 6 3/4 lengths. She followed with another Grade 1 win in the Matron, and then lost two starts to close out her 2-year-old season.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Afleet Alex, the Preakness and Belmont Stakes winner, was scheduled to arrive at Saratoga on Thursday night from Belmont Park with eight other horses trained by Tim Ritchey.
Afleet Alex will continue to recuperate from a hairline condylar fracture in his left foreleg. Afleet Alex underwent surgery July 26 and had a screw inserted to push the fracture back together and prevent it from separating.
Karakorum Splendor nosed out Avery Hall at the wire to win the $250,000 at Saratoga on a steamy Thursday afternoon.
Avery Hall, who was racing on the rail, jumped an "imperfection" left by the harrow just before the wire, according to her rider, Tony Black.
"A beat like that . . . I'm sure that cost her the race," Black said.
Karakorum Splendor, the favorite under John Velazquez, took the lead from pacesetter Avery Hall around the far turn. In midstretch, Avery Hall regained the lead and had a half-length advantage with a furlong remaining.
DEL MAR, Calif. - Indian Breeze, unbeaten in two starts and already a stakes winner, can stake a claim to being the toughest 2-year-old filly in the country.
On July 2, Indian Breeze won the Landaluce Stakes at Hollywood Park a few weeks after suffering a puncture wound to her stomach in a stall accident.
No such mishaps have interfered with her preparation for Saturday's $150,000 Sorrento Stakes at Del Mar. Instead, Indian Breeze is stuck trying to prove she can continue the form that won the Landaluce Stakes while facing the latest hot-shot maiden winners.
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - Woody Stevens used to say that the buildings got awfully tall once you crossed the Hudson River. Arlington Heights, Ill., doesn't even have a skyline, but the New York shipper Remind might be crossing into deep water here in Saturday's Sea O'Erin Breeders' Cup Handicap.
SANTA ROSA, Calif. - Multiple stakes winners A to the Z and Adreamisborn are the marquee horses in Saturday's $100,000 Joseph T. Grace Handicap at the Sonoma County Fair, but they will have to be sharp to defeat the hometown hero, Charbonnier. The Grace, to be run at 1 1/16 miles over the new turf course at Santa Rosa, will be featured on TVG's national coverage.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Easily the largest crowd of the year turned out Monday for British Columbia Cup Day, and Roscoe Pito, in the B.C. Cup Classic, treated them to an outstanding performance.
Roscoe Pito was the local horse of the year in 2003, but he won only a single race last year. A 5-year-old gelding, he hinted that he might be coming back to his best form with a very good second-place finish to R. Associate in the Grade 3 Lieutenant Governors' July 1. He looked as good as ever with a dominating win in the B.C. Cup Classic.
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - U R Flashy and To the Brim are the obvious contenders in Saturday's $125,000 Nandi Stakes at Woodbine.
A six-furlong test for Ontario-sired 2-year-old fillies, the Nandi was supposed to showcase the unbeaten Wannatalkaboutme, but her recent retirement has left the race wide open.
