Horse Racing News

If Little Mike repeats in the Arlington Million Aug. 17, breeder/owner Carlo Vaccarezza might use the Arlington Park winner's circle as a platform to challenge reigning Horse of the Year Wise Dan to a match race.

Calumet Farm's Oxbow, winner of this year's Preakness Stakes, likely will not run again in 2013, according to trainer D. Wayne Lukas.

Ten domestic and three European-based 3-year-olds comprise a field of 13 for the $500,000 Secretariat Stakes Aug. 17 on the turf course at Arlington Park, with Jack Milton established as the 3-1 morning line favorite.

Glen Hill Farm's hard-knocking Marketing Mix will take on eight top fillies and mares from America and Europe in the $750,000 Beverly D. Stakes Aug. 17 at Arlington Park, and a big effort could pave the way for an attempt at the boys later in the year.

Wishing Gate slammed the door on eight rivals last month on opening weekend over the Del Mar turf, but it doesn't figure to be as easy when she faces a full field in the $300,000 Del Mar Oaks Aug. 17.

Boisterous may have won the Man o' War Stakes last time out at Belmont Park, but he isn't scaring away competition from the Aug. 17 Sword Dancer Invitational Handicap at Saratoga Race Course.

With most of the big-name 3-year-old fillies on the sidelines or headed elsewhere, King of Prussia Stable's Princess of Sylmar will face only five foes in the $600,000 Alabama Stakes Aug. 17 at Saratoga Race Course.

Priscilla Vaccarezza's 2012 Arlington Million winner Little Mike will defend his crown Aug. 17 at Arlington Park, but faces a stiff challenge in a 13-horse field that includes the winners of Group/Grade 1 races on four other continents.

Delaware Park stewards have suspended veteran trainer Donald Roberson for two years for possessing hypodermic needles, hypodermic syringes, and injectable medications.

Todd Pletcher, who could saddle the top two choices in the $1 million Travers Stakes, sent star 3-year-olds Palace Malice and Verrazano out for easy half-mile breezes in :49.02 and :49.05, respectively, Aug. 11.