Horse Racing News

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.

Dual Grade 1 winner Goldencents returns to Del Mar to face recent Triple Bend winner Declassify in the $300,000 Bing Crosby Stakes July 26, a race the Doug O'Neill trainee finished second in last year.

Estimate, the 2013 Ascot Gold Cup winner belonging to Queen Elizabeth II, has tested positive for the banned substance morphine, Buckingham Palace announced July 22.

Michael Dilger spent seven years as an assistant to trainer Todd Pletcher before going out on his own last summer. His solo career got off to a fast start when he won with his first stakes starter, New York-bred Wired Bryan, in last July's Sanford.

With the unfortunate morning training death of pre-race favorite Dance With Fate, Kentucky shipper Frac Daddy, a two-time stakes winner in 2014, is now the likely favorite in the $200,000 San Diego Handicap July 26 at Del Mar.

Belmont Stakes winner Tonalist looks to the $600,000 Jim Dandy Stakes July 26 as a hopeful launching pad for the Travers Stakes and perhaps a shot at the 3-year-old title.

Not only could Untapable maintain her status as the top 3-year-old filly in the country with a victory over males, but she could earn her way into the Nov. 1 Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita Park.

Keeneland has begun installation of the dirt racing surface on its main track, the final step in the renovation project that is on schedule for completion next month in advance of the fall meeting.

Grade 1 winner Dance With Fate was euthanized after sustaining a serious injury July 24 when he bolted and crashed into a fence while on the track at Del Mar prepping for the upcoming San Diego Handicap.