Horse Racing News

Calumet Farm's Starstruck had gone winless since last year's Grade 3, $170,000 Matchmaker Stakes, but a return to Monmouth for a title defense on Sunday brought out in the best in the daughter of Galileo.

Majestic River proved her affinity for Monmouth Park July 27, rolling to a third consecutive victory over the New Jersey oval and picking up her first graded stakes score in the $200,000 Molly Pitcher Stakes.

Del Mar has moved two turf races scheduled for Sunday, July 27 to its main track in light of four breakdowns that have occurred on the course since the meeting began July 17.

Social Inclusion, Rontos Racing Stable's runner who has drawn post position 6 for the $1 million William Hill Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park, will race without the anti-bleeding medication Lasix in the July 27 event.

Intent on getting the lead from his far outside post, an aggressive Fed Biz was never challenged while romping to victory in track record time in the $200,000 San Diego Handicap July 26 at Del Mar.

Salvador Hernandez's homebred La Tia made a tour de force of the $144,053 Ontario Matron Stakes at Woodbine July 26, leading wire to wire and drawing off at the end to best eight other fillies and mares in impressive 6 ¼-length fashion.

Fox Hill Farms' Coup de Grace closed with gusto in the $200,000 Amsterdam Stakes at Saratoga Race Course July 26, taking advantage after a quick early pace set-up in the 6 ½-furlong sprint for his late-running style.

After a somewhat disappointing Triple Crown campaign, Wicked Strong started the second half of his sophomore season in fine style, turning the tables on Belmont Stakes winner Tonalist in the $600,000 Jim Dandy Stakes July 26 at Saratoga Race Course.

The $100,000 Cougar II Stakes may have been a marathon, but it was over in a hurry after Irish Surf took command and never received a challenge the evening of July 25 at Del Mar.

Magalen O. Bryant's V. E. Day strung three victories in a row and collected his first stakes score July 25 in the $100,000 Curlin Stakes at Saratoga Race Course, giving jockey Jose Lezcano his 2,000th career win.