Horse Racing News by David Grening

Crown of Thorns, a leading contender for Saturday's $1 million Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, was scratched from the race on Friday after he developed a recurrence of an old injury to his right knee.

After his connections decided against supplementing to next weekend's Breeders' Cup Sprint, the new plan for Bribon became a two-race series beginning with Saturday's Grade 3 Bold Ruler Handicap at Belmont Park and next month's Cigar Mile at Aqueduct.

After Wildcat Brief's third-place finish in the Grade 1 Vosburgh here Oct. 2, it would not have raised eyebrows if his connections had opted to run him in the $2 million Breeders' Cup Sprint on Nov. 6 at Churchill Downs.

The opening half-mile of Saturday's Grade 1 Champagne Stakes went in 45.92 seconds and the heavy favorite, Uncle Mo, had 22-1 longshot I'm Steppin It Up lapped on him.

But Prince Will I Am rose from the ashes with an explosive late kick under Jose Lezcano that carried him from last to first in the Jamaica, giving both horse and trainer their first Grade 1 victory.

A Z Warrior, after a disappointing finish in the Grade 1 Darley Debutante, relished the dirt surface at Belmont Park with an eye-catching 1 3/4-length victory in Saturday's Grade 1, $300,000 Frizette Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at Belmont Park.

Todd Pletcher may have four of the nine horses entered in Saturday's Grade 1 Frizette at Belmont Park, but trainer Tony Dutrow thinks he has the one.

Uncle Mo, the most impressive debut winner of the Saratoga meet, will meet five fellow maiden winners in Saturday's Grade 1, $300,000 Champagne Stakes at Belmont Park.

At the beginning of the year, trainer Christophe Clement thought Winchester was better on soft ground. Then the 5-year-old won the Grade 1 Manhattan over firm turf.

After a couple of close calls and tough trips in her first four North American starts splitting horses in deep stretch and earning a hard-fought head victory in the Grade 1, $500,000 Flower Bowl Invitational at Belmont Park.