Horse Racing News

Centennial Farms' Wicked Strong breezed a half mile in :48 ⅗ seconds over the Oklahoma training track at Saratoga Race Course Aug. 8 in preparation for his expected start in the $1.25 million Travers Stakes.

Dual classic winner California Chrome turned in his first workout since the Belmont Stakes, breezing three furlongs handily the morning of Aug. 8 at Los Alamitos Racecourse.

Wise Dan did not recover quickly enough from the effects of emergency colic surgery earlier this year to seek a third consecutive victory in Saturday's Grade 2, $500,000 Fourstardave Handicap.

Enterprising and Argyle Cut, separated by a neck when first and second, respectively, in the opening day Oceanside Stakes, square off again as turf racing returns to Del Mar Aug. 9 in the $150,000 La Jolla Handicap.

California Chrome is expected to return to the work tab Aug. 8 with his first official move since running fourth in the June 7 Belmont Stakes, according to connections of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner.

Following up on a runner-up effort at Royal Ascot in June, well-traveled Sunset Glow dominated the field in the $200,000 Sorrento Stakes at Del Mar Aug. 6, leading all the way for a 3 ¼-length victory.

While some prominent trainers called for phasing out use of race-day furosemide in a press release Aug. 1, top horsemen's groups throughout the country said this week they have not changed their stance in supporting use of the diuretic.

Vic Zast, a racetrack executive, businessman, turf writer, and ardent racing fan, died Aug. 3 in Wilmette, Ill. Zast, who had been a regular contributor to The Blood-Horse and authored the "Saratoga Diary" blog at Bloodhorse.com from 2006-13, was 69.

Trainer plays double duty in Hambletonian victory

Even-money choice Iotapa made it consecutive Grade 1 scores with her victory in the $300,000 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes Aug. 2 at Del Mar, but was all out to get the job done with jockey Joe Talamo.