Horse Racing News by Steve Haskin

Glen Hill Farm's hard-knocking Marketing Mix will take on eight top fillies and mares from America and Europe in the $750,000 Beverly D. Stakes Aug. 17 at Arlington Park, and a big effort could pave the way for an attempt at the boys later in the year.

With most of the big-name 3-year-old fillies on the sidelines or headed elsewhere, King of Prussia Stable's Princess of Sylmar will face only five foes in the $600,000 Alabama Stakes Aug. 17 at Saratoga Race Course.

Todd Pletcher, who could saddle the top two choices in the $1 million Travers Stakes, sent star 3-year-olds Palace Malice and Verrazano out for easy half-mile breezes in :49.02 and :49.05, respectively, Aug. 11.

Trainer Alan Goldberg and owner Richard Santulli look to hold a powerful hand in the $200,000 Robert G. Dick Memorial at Delaware Park July 13 when they send out the entry of Tannery and Laughing in the 1 3/8-mile turf event.

On July 13, the former "dummy foal" who was nursed to health by handlers at Sagamore Farm could take her saga to the next level, moving from stakes winner to graded victress with a win in the $300,000 Delaware Oaks at Delaware Park.

Calumet Farm's Preakness Stakes winner Oxbow arrived at Saratoga Race Course at noon on July 9 and will make his next start in the $1 million William Hill Haskell Invitational July 28 at Monmouth Park, Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas said.

Unlike the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic last month, when he scratched Point of Entry because of the wet going, trainer Shug McGaughey said emphatically that the 5-year-old will compete in the $500,000 Woodford Reserve Manhattan Handicap.

Trainer Todd Pletcher said in a national teleconference May 30 that jockey Rosie Napravnik was "very likely" to ride Unlimited Budget in the June 8 Belmont Stakes if the filly competes in the third leg of the Triple Crown.

The $750,000 Metropolitan Handicap at Belmont Park traditionally has been one of the most prestigious races in the country, and all you have to do is go down this year's list of entries to understand why.

In a work trainer Shug McGaughey called 'breathtaking" and said gave him "chills," Kentucky Derby winner Orb sizzled a half-mile in :47.18 at Belmont Park May 13 in preparation for the May 18 Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course.