Horse Racing News on July 8, 2010

Nicanor, the full brother to 2006 Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro, will try to capitalize on his affinity for Delaware Park's turf course to record his first stakes victory in Saturday's $100,000 Sussex Stakes.

Trainer Christophe Clement admitted to having some trepidation regarding Gio Ponti entering the Manhattan Handicap on June 5.

Change and survive. That's the mode Ellis Park continues to find itself in, with the 2010 summer meet starting Saturday amid the familiar call for alternative gaming and a pared-down racing schedule.

One of the most impressive performances by a 3-year-old on the Belmont Stakes card unfolded hours before Drosselmeyer rallied to win the final jewel of the Triple Crown.

Rail Trip was an 8-1 outsider in the 2009 Hollywood Gold Cup, a race he won by three lengths in a performance that was one of the finest of his career.

Several weeks ago, when trainer Rick Dutrow first confirmed he was sending D' Funnybone to Calder for Saturday's $200,000 Carry Back Stakes, he asked what the race looked like.

Traveling seems to suit Gayego, who makes his 2010 American debut in Saturday's $250,000 Triple Bend Handicap at Hollywood Park.

Trainer Todd Pletcher will attempt to defend his title in Calder Race Course's only Grade 1 race, the Princess Rooney Handicap, when he sends Hour Glass out in a full field of fillies and mares in the main event on Saturday's Summit of Speed program.

The connections of locally based fillies No Such Word and Havre de Grace are hoping the home-track advantage offsets the talent of the nation's most accomplished 3-year-old filly, Blind Luck, in Saturday's Grade 2, $250,000 Delaware Oaks at Delaware Park.

For a Grade 2 sprint stakes and a designated Win and You're In race for the Breeders' Cup Sprint, Saturday's $350,000 Smile Sprint Handicap is missing just one important element -- speed!