Horse Racing News by Jack Shinar

Willcox Inn, winner of the Arlington Classic, which kicked off the Mid-America Triple May 28 at Arlington Park, returns in pursuit of the Grade 2, $200,000 American Derby, the second leg of the series July 9.

Even-money favorite Courageous Cat chalked up his first Grade 1 stakes victory when he held off the closing Caracortado by a neck to win the Grade 1, $300,000 Shoemaker Mile Stakes on a firm Hollywood Park turf course July 2.

Victor's Cry returns to defend his title in the Shoemaker Mile Stakes July 2 at Hollywood Park. While he's no lock to go favored in a well-matched turf field, he's going to get much more respect than he did in springing last year's 21-1 shock.

Headache left favored Awesome Gem behind at the eighth pole and rolled to his first graded stakes win in the $300,000 Cornhusker Handicap (gr. III) at Prairie Meadows, the highlight of the two-day Iowa Festival of Racing on the night of June 25.

Prayer for Relief gave trainer Bob Baffert consecutive wins in the $250,000 Iowa Derby (gr. III) when he registered a mild upset at Prairie Meadows on the night of June 25.

Fast-improving Little Miss Holly swept past Find the Humor in the stretch and held sway for a two-length victory in the $200,000 Iowa Oaks (gr. III) on the night of June 25 at Prairie Meadows.

Grand Adventure, who captured the most lucrative win of his career in last year's King Edward Stakes, is back to defend his title in the one-mile turf event worth $250,000 at Woodbine June 25.

Speedy Hilda's Passion, a two-time graded stakes winner at Gulfstream Park this year, makes her Belmont Park debut as the heavy favorite for the Grade 2, $150,000 Vagrancy Handicap June 4.

Dubawi Heights, stepping into Grade 1 company for the first time for trainer Simon Callaghan, collared pacesetter Celtic Princess just strides from the wire to win the $250,000 Gamely Stakes on the Hollywood Park turf course May 30.

Second in the Central Bank Ashland Stakes (Grade 1) last month, Wyomia is the 9-5 morning-line favorite for the $250,000 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (Grade 2) May 20 at Pimlico Race Course.