Horse Racing News on June 1, 2011

Five months into the year, the older male division in California lacks a leader, an issue that could be sorted to some extent after Saturday's $150,000 Californian Stakes at Hollywood Park.

On a mostly bright, sun-splashed, and pleasant Wednesday morning in Saratoga, some horsemen couldn't help but wonder about the storm clouds hanging over trainer Richard Dutrow Jr.

Though Tizway earned a virtual all-expenses-paid trip to the $1 million Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile by virtue of his victory in Monday's Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap at Belmont Park, his connections are inclined to aim a little higher.

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.

With newly inaugurated Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel actively twisting arms on behalf of the legislation, the Senate approved House amendments with a bare majority vote, 30-27, with two voting present.

The top three finishers from the 2010 edition of the Aristides are back for Saturday's $100,000 renewal at Churchill Downs, but this year's running of the six-furlong dash has arguably attracted a much deeper field.