Horse Racing News on July 23, 2010

Jamie Ness was a press box intern when the first Claiming Crown was run in 1999 at Canterbury Park.

Between his running styles and his accomplishments, The Usual Q.T. seems to evolve every six months.

Richard Dutrow Jr. and Todd Pletcher have no qualms with the New York Racing Association's decision to move the $250,000 Coaching Club American Oaks from Belmont Park to Saratoga.

The Polytrack synthetic surface at Del Mar will undergo renovation this weekend and will be heavily mixed on Monday, in an effort to avoid the circumstances that led to the cancellation of training on Thursday.

Tim Ice did pretty well with his only starter during the 2009 Saratoga meet, winning the prestigious Travers with Summer Bird.

Big Red Mike, a front-running winner of Woodbine's Queen's Plate on July 4, will be looking to add the second jewel in the Canadian Triple Crown to his portfolio here in Sunday's Prince of Wales Stakes.

The horse shortage in California does not apply to 3-year-old fillies on grass at Del Mar.

Trainer Richard Dutrow Jr. thought Friday's Grade 3, $100,000 Schuylerville Stakes was too tough a spot for his 2-year-old filly Le Mi Geaux and ran her only at the request of owner Landson Robbins.

Vineyard Haven served notice he should be a force to reckon with in the sprint division and perhaps beyond during the second half of the season after splashing to an easy 1 3/4-length victory over Half Metal Jacket.

Magna International Developments, the parent company of Santa Anita, and the Oak Tree Racing Association signed a lease agreement for Oak Tree's fall meeting at Santa Anita on Friday, officials with both sides said.