Monmouth Park in New Jersey has cut the Grade 2 Monmouth Breeders' Cup Oaks from its 2003 stakes schedule and slashed the purse of the Philip H. Iselin Handicap. At the same time, the track has given a $250,000 boost to one of its Grade 1 races, the United Nations Handicap.
The United Nations, a 1 3/8-mile race on the turf for 3-year-olds and up, will be worth $750,000 this year, up from $500,000 last year. The race will be run on July 5.
ALBANY, Calif. - Saturday's $200,000, Grade 3 El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields will separate Triple Crown contenders from pretenders.
The 1 1/16-mile race drew 10 entrants, including a pair of locally based surprises, Allwood and Frisco Johnny.
A victory or a strong effort in the El Camino Real will propel a colt along the Triple Crown trail, while a poor race may require a change in plans.
OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Snake Mountain stands tall over six rivals in Saturday's $75,000-added Stymie Handicap at Aqueduct.
A winner of his last four starts, including three stakes, Snake Mountain will be a short-priced favorite in the ungraded Stymie, a 1 1/8-mile race. He is coupled with Iron Chancellor.
Ground Storm, who won the Stymie last year and was second to Snake Mountain in the Aqueduct Handicap on Jan. 18, wasn't entered because of a quarter crack he developed this week.
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Whether it's from on the lead or off the pace, trainer Mark Shuman has it covered as it relates to Sunday's Grade 2, $200,000 Richter Scale Breeders' Cup at Gulfstream Park.
In Native Heir, Shuman sends out the main speed of the seven-furlong race and a horse coming off a track-record-equaling performance winning the Deputy Minister Handicap. In Highway Prospector, Shuman has one of the top closers in the field and a horse who has won three consecutive starts.
FLORENCE, Ky. - Bob Elliston strapped on his boots and walked out onto a newly laid racing surface at Turfway Park. Never mind that a cold mist was coming down atop Elliston's uncovered head. He hadn't felt so good in quite a while.
"The last two or three weeks have been rough," said Elliston, who has served nearly four years as Turfway president. "We were all pretty despondent there for a while."
Makin Heat has yet to race as a 3-year-old. But she has already run more times and accomplished far more than any of the other six fillies in Saturday's $50,000 Wide Country at Laurel Park.
In 11 starts as a 2-year-old, Makin Heat finished first or second nine times, including stakes wins at Laurel and Delaware. Her credentials make her the obvious horse to beat in the 1 1/16-mile Wide Country.
GRAND ISLAND, Neb. - Tate's Way returns to defend his title in the $25,000-added Ogataul Handicap when he meets eight solid statebred rivals going six furlongs.
Tate's Way will have to contend with High Dice, who makes his first start of the year.
SUNLAND PARK, N.M. - It's locals versus invaders in Saturday's $50,000-added Bill Thomas Memorial Handicap at 6 1/2 furlongs at Sunland Park. A field of nine will go to the post and, as usual, the strongest of the out-of-towners comes from the barn of trainer Steve Asmussen.