ELMONT, N.Y. - It seems like the seven 3-year-old fillies assembled for Saturday's $200,000 Prioress Stakes at Belmont Park are all the same. They all have a good bit of speed and are capable of running Beyer Speed Figures in the mid- to upper-90's.
Because of the versatility she has shown in winning her last three starts, Proper Gamble rates a tepid call in the wide-open Prioress, the only Grade 1 race exclusively for 3-year-old fillies run at six furlongs.
ELMONT, N.Y. - Seeking Daylight, who returned from a fractured right front cannon bone to become a Grade 2 winner, suffered a fractured left front cannon bone Thursday morning and his racing career could be in jeopardy.
Following his 8 1/4-length victory in last month's Grade 2 Brooklyn Handicap, Seeking Daylight was expected to run in Saturday's Suburban Handicap.
PLEASANTON, Calif. - One year ago, Mimi's Cafe was the one to beat in the Alameda County Fillies and Mares Handicap at the Alameda County Fair.
She won the $50,000-added, 1 1/16-mile race with ease as the even-money favorite.
She will try to defend her crown Saturday, but this year she won't be the overwhelming favorite.
Mimi's Cafe has won 7 of 32 starts with six seconds and three thirds while earning $382,137.
New York-based sprinters Yonaguska and Late Carson are the biggest names in Saturday's $200,000 Philadelphia Breeders' Cup Handicap. But based on what they have done recently, bettors should be wary of what may happen in the six-furlong, Grade 3 stakes at Philadelphia Park.
Trainer Mike Gorham continues to think about stretching out Mandy's Gold, but she will still be sprinting as the favorite in Saturday's $100,000 Sweet 'n Sassy Stakes at Delaware.
In fact, the 4-year-old Mandy's Gold will be cutting back to six furlongs after winning the seven-furlong, Grade 3 Chicago Breeders' Cup Handicap at Arlington last month.
ALTOONA, Iowa - Three fillies on the improve - Minister's Baby, Katy Kat, and Softly - are among 10 fillies and mares entered in the $125,000 Iowa Distaff on Saturday at Prairie Meadows.
Minister's Baby has flourished since joining trainer Ken McPeek's barn last fall, winning 3 of 6 starts, including the Diamond Trail Stakes here by 7 1/4 lengths in mid-May. In her most recent start she finished last of six in the Grade 2 Fleur de Lis Handicap at Churchill following a wide trip.
BOSSIER CITY, La. - Bret Thomas, who jumped out to the early lead in the trainer standings at Louisiana Downs by winning four races opening weekend, will have a greater presence at Louisiana Downs this year. He built his stable up over the winter, and will have 40 horses on the grounds. Among them are Thomas's recent stakes winners Knight of the Mt., Truly Sunlit, and Screen Idol.
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Trainer Josie Carroll knows Rosthern isn't going to have an easy time of it here in Saturday's Dance Smartly.
"I think it's a really, really tough race," said Carroll. "Obviously if Dancethruthedawn likes the turf, she's a very classy filly, same as Sweetest Thing. They've been competing with some of the best."
But Carroll also knows that Rosthern, a 4-year-old daughter of Broad Brush she trains for Jim and Alice Sapara, has never been better, and there's certainly no point in keeping her in the barn.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia - The last time Grey Tobe Free, one of the likely favorites in Saturday's 1 1/8-mile Brighouse Belles at Hastings Park, raced here was in October, when she scored a decisive victory in the $175,000 Ballerina Stakes. That powerful performance persuaded her trainer, Robbie Anderson, to take her to northern California for the winter.
WINNIPEG, Manitoba - After winning the Frank Arnason Sire Stakes with Bo Dippity, the combo of trainer Blair Miller and jockey Anderson Ward will be looking for their second victory in a 2-year-old stakes here this year with Suntana in Saturday's $30,000, 5 1/2-furlong Graduation at Assiniboia Downs.
In his only start, Suntana defeated Sand Rush and Mr Don, whom he will face again here. Suntana will break from post 3 in the field of seven.
Suntana's sternest opposition will come from Alberta, in the form of Tychonic Lady and New Media.