Horse Racing News by Jack Shinar

Obviously registered his third consecutive graded-stakes win as the overwhelming favorite in the $200,000 Del Mar Mile, but he had to dig in close to home to hold off a couple of challengers Aug. 25 on the turf.

Favored Vagabond Shoes, circling the field under Victor Espinoza, reached the lead in deep stretch to edge Lucayan by half a length in the $200,000 Del Mar Handicap Aug. 24 on the turf.

Capo Bastone, a colt that had long failed to tap his potential, finally displayed his talent with a roaring finish to capture the $500,000 Foxwoods King's Bishop Stakes going away at odds of 27-1 Aug. 24 at Saratoga Race Course.

Dance to Bristol ran her winning streak to seven races with her first Grade 1 tally in the $500,000 Ballerina Stakes, staving off favored Book Review by a head with determination Aug. 23 at Saratoga Race Course.

Goldencents made a solid return to sprinting one month ago when second by a head in the Bing Crosby Stakes, and the Santa Anita Derby winner is back on the Del Mar main track Aug. 25 against 12 opponents in the Pat O'Brien Stakes.

A six-time Grade 1 winner whose problems with the Polytrack at Del Mar have been well-chronicled, Game On Dude is on the verge of a breakthrough in the $1 million TVG Pacific Classic Aug. 25, trainer Bob Baffert believes.

Princess of Sylmar likely wrapped up an Eclipse Award as outstanding 3-year-old filly with another sharp victory in the Alabama Stakes Aug. 17 at Saratoga Race Course, her third Grade 1 victory in a row.

Big Blue Kitten, given a patient ride by Joe Bravo, burst through an opening at mid-stretch and swept past Twilight Eclipse late to post a one-length win in the $600,000 Sword Dancer Stakes Aug. 17 at Saratoga Race Course.

Wishing Gate slammed the door on eight rivals last month on opening weekend over the Del Mar turf, but it doesn't figure to be as easy when she faces a full field in the $300,000 Del Mar Oaks Aug. 17.

A freshened Tiz Flirtatious made easy work of her four opponents in the $250,000 John C. Mabee Stakes Aug. 11, shaking clear in upper stretch to win without much of a challenge on the Del Mar turf.