Horse Racing News on August 25, 2012

Gary and Mary West's Casino Host got first run on 6-5 favorite Dhaamer in Saturday's Grade 2, $200,000 Del Mar Handicap, and that prompt move by jockey Joe Talamo made the crucial difference.

Bouncing right back from a stakes romp just three days earlier, Willy Beamin closed with a rush to capture the $500,000 Foxwoods King's Bishop in his graded stakes debut Aug. 25 at Saratoga Race Course.

A race lacking starpower nevertheless delivered excitement at Saratoga Race Course Aug. 25, as longshot Golden Ticket and 2-1 favorite Alpha made history with the first dead heat in the modern history of the 143-year-old Travers Stakes.

Contested overcame a flat-footed start and closed from off the pace to win the $500,000 Test Stakes.

Martin S. Schwartz's Zagora bounced right back to her very best in Saturday's Grade 2, $250,000 Ballston Spa Stakes.