ETOBICOKE, Ontario - There's no disputing that Soaring Free will be the horse to beat in Saturday's Grade 3 Play the King, a seven-furlong turf handicap that should be his stepping-stone to the Sept. 19 Atto Mile. But those searching for an upset candidate may consider Super Case, an improving 4-year-old colt who is owned by Stronach Stable and trained by Danny Vella.
"He's a lightly raced and improving horse," said Vella. "He's ready to go."
AUBURN, Wash. - Sunday's 69th renewal of the Grade 3 Longacres Mile was different.
It was different from the start, as overnight rains had turned the track to slop, snapping a string of 26 straight Miles contested over a fast track. It was different at the finish, too, because Adreamisborn came from 13 lengths back in 11th position to win by a length over Demon Warlock. It was the first time since the Mile moved to Emerald Downs in 1996 that the winner had come from farther back than third.
DEL MAR, Calif. - With victories in the last 10 months in the Breeders' Cup Classic, Dubai World Cup, and Pacific Classic, Pleasantly Perfect has gone halfway around the world and back to prove his merit. His victory Sunday at Del Mar secured his position as the most accomplished older horse in the country and puts him squarely in the thick of the battle for Horse of the Year, which he can secure with a repeat victory in the Breeders' Cup Classic on Oct. 30 at Lone Star Park.
DEL MAR, Calif. - Meteor Storm, the winner of three top turf stakes earlier this year, has been turned out and will not be considered for the Breeders' Cup grass races on Oct. 30, trainer Wally Dollase said.
The winner of the San Luis Rey, San Juan Capistrano, and Manhattan handicaps this year, Meteor Storm was seventh in the United Nations at Monmouth Park on July 3 in his most recent start. In July, Dollase considered Meteor Storm as a candidate for this weekend's Del Mar Handicap.
Dollase said Meteor Storm was turned out because he was not responding well to training.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - The key to success for Purge is whether or not he will relax in the early stages of a race. It was something he did flawlessly winning the Grade 2 Jim Dandy here on Aug. 8.
It was not something Purge did so kindly Monday in his last workout prior to Saturday's $1 million Travers Stakes.
Purge, under exercise rider Michelle Nihei, went fast early and a bit slow late during a five-furlong move timed in 1:01.45 over Saratoga's main track.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Monday, the day after Evening Attire won the Grade 2 Saratoga Breeders' Cup by five lengths over Funny Cide, the winning connections were celebrating with coffee and donuts at trainer Pat Kelly's barn.
Kelly trains Evening Attire for his father, T.J., and Joseph and Mary Grant. T.J., who lives in Florida, was in town for Evening Attire's win, but didn't attend the races because he is superstitious and believes he will bring the 6-year-old gelding bad luck.
EDMONTON, Alberta - Illusive Force made up for his defeat in the Canadian Derby a year ago by winning the $40,000 Westerner at Northlands Park last Sunday.
The 1 5/16-mile Westerner is the final prep for the $100,000 Speed to Spare Championship at 1 3/8 miles here Sept. 11.
Illusive Force didn't beat a horse in the field of eight in last year's Canadian Derby, won by Raylene.
DEL MAR, Calif. - Men's Exclusive, an 11-year-old millionaire, ends a retirement of nearly 10 months in a $54,000 optional claimer for statebreds at Del Mar on Wednesday.
is eligible to be claimed for $40,000, and trainer Wesley Ward insists that if the gelding is not up to racing, he will be sent back into retirement. That assumes that no one claims Men's Exclusive. There is not much upside to claiming an 11-year-old who has made 47 starts and has a reputation for having foot problems.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - For those keeping score, West Virginia has beaten Chowder's First twice in stakes. When they last met, Chowder's First was a neck winner over West Virginia in the Cab Calloway on Aug. 4.
face each other in Wednesday's $150,000-added Albany at Saratoga. The Albany is the final leg of OTBs' Big Apple Triple for New York-bred 3-year-olds.
The 12-horse field for the 1 1/8-mile Albany also includes Don Corleone, who won the second leg of the Big Apple Triple, the New York Derby, at Finger Lakes on July 17.
