Horse Racing News by Steve Haskin

With the installation of a new dirt surface this year after racing on Polytrack since 2006, Keeneland and its fans can say goodbye to the old Darley Alcibiades Stakes.

With most of the big-name older horses having been retired this year, horses of all ages and from every locale seemingly are eyeing the Breeders' Cup Classic.

The illustrious Stonestreet Farms broodmare band gained two more celebrities Sept. 24 with the announcement that two of their star fillies, My Miss Aurelia and Dreaming of Julia, have been retired.

Game On Dude, the only horse ever to win three runnings of the Santa Anita Handicap, has been retired after compiling earnings of nearly $6.5 million, trainer Bob Baffert announced Sept. 18.

California Chrome, winner of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands and Preakness Stakes, will break from the rail in the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby Sept. 20 at Parx Racing, not exactly the most ideal draw for the even-money morning-line favorite.

Midwest Thoroughbreds' The Pizza Man will be making his first delivery outside the Chicago area in a year and a half, as he looks to extend his five-race winning streak in the $300,000 Northern Dancer Turf Stakes at Woodbine Sept. 14.

With only four American-trained horses entered in the Arlington Million Aug. 16 and a seven-horse field set for the $500,000 Sword Dancer Invitational Stakes.

A diverse field of 11 filly and mare turf stars will tee it up in the $750,000 Beverly D. Stakes.

Stopchargingmaria hopes to win second leg of Triple Tiara in Saturday's $600,000 Grade I Alabama Stakes.

With the discontinuation of the Breeders' Cup Marathon, you could say the 11 horses entered in the Grade 3 Cougar II Handicap at Del Mar Racetrack July 25 are all dressed up with no place to go.