SAN MATEO, Calif. - Bel Serenata, who tested Grade 2 foes at Del Mar on July 29, looks tough to beat at a short price when she drops into a first-level allowance race in Sunday's feature at Bay Meadows.
Six entered the mile turf race, which is restricted to 3-year-old fillies who have not won $3,000 other than maiden or claiming. The purse is $32,000.
DEL MAR, Calif. - The top three contenders in Saturday's $150,000 Palomar Handicap at Del Mar have something to prove in advance of the autumn's top races for female turf stars.
Paga, a star in Argentina, can confirm she fits in graded stakes in this country. Tout Charmant is attempting to regain her outstanding form of 1999 and 2000, while Tranquility Lake is trying to win consecutive races for the first time since last fall.
The trio gives the Grade 2 Palomar, which is run over 1 1/16 miles on turf, the feel of a Grade 1.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Todd Pletcher said "Take out Kona Gold and Caller One, and the sprint division is wide open."
Pletcher's comment pretty much sums up Saturday's $250,000 Forego Handicap, a Grade 1 race at Saratoga.
The 10-horse field is so evenly matched that only four pounds separate highweights Alannan and Say Florida Sandy from the low weights in one of the final major preps for the Breeders' Cup Sprint.
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - A hodgepodge of eight 2-year-old fillies collide Saturday in the $75,000 Top Flight Stakes at Arlington. Among the favorites will be one filly who trains in Ohio and another who has made both of her starts at Emerald Downs in Washington.
But before dismissing the Top Flight as insignificant, think back just a year, when She's a Devil Due won this race, then won the Grade 2 Alcibiades Stakes and finished third in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies.
Halo of Hearts and Premeditation, who both won their last races in front-running fashion, could vie for both favoritism and the lead Saturday night in the $100,000 El Joven. The one-mile race for 2-year-olds shares the program with its filly counterpart, the $100,000 La Senorita, and together the stakes make for one of the richest nights of racing at Retama Park.
SASKATOON, Saskatchewan - All eyes will be on rider Tim Moccasin at Marquis Downs Saturday as he seeks to extend his streak of 10 consecutive wins. Moccasin set a North American record when he won the final three races here last Friday and then swept Saturday's seven-race card.
This Saturday, the next program at Marquis Downs, Moccasin has mounts in all seven races.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Trainer Jonathan Sheppard continued his dominance of the New York Turf Writers Cup Handicap steeplechase on Thursday by sending out It's a Giggle to upset odds-on choice Praise the Prince in the $107,800, Grade 1 race.
It was the 11th time a Sheppard-trained horse has won the Turf Writers Cup, which has been run 60 times.
DEL MAR, Calif. - For the second time, Forest Camp is attempting to revive a career that began with such promise in 1999.
Now a 4-year-old, Forest Camp tries to defend his title in Saturday's restricted $70,000 Pirate's Bounty Handicap over six furlongs at Del Mar, which will be his first start in 10 months.
At least Forest Camp is returning to his favorite track.
Forest Camp is unbeaten in three starts at Del Mar, including the Grade 2 Del Mar Futurity in 1999. He has never won at any other track.
DEL MAR, Calif. - With runners in stakes at Del Mar, Louisiana Downs, and Saratoga over the holiday weekend, trainer Al Stall knows exactly which successful trainer he hopes to emulate.
"We've got a Bobby Frankel weekend coming up - with a few zeroes missing," he said.
While Frankel enjoyed a banner August, with major stakes wins at Saratoga and Del Mar on consecutive weekends, Stall would be content with a win at any of the three venues this weekend.
