Horse Racing News

Groupie Doll, the 2012 champion female sprinter, will make her seasonal debut Aug. 10 in the Gardenia Stakes at Ellis Park, according to trainer Buff Bradley.

Greeley Awesome, who came within a neck of giving owner Hronis Racing and trainer John Sadler a sweep of the two Oceanside Stakes divisions on opening day at Del Mar, makes his return in the $150,000 La Jolla Handicap on the turf Aug. 10.

Tiz Flirtatious, who gave multiple Grade 1 winner Marketing Mix quite a tussle in the Gamely Stakes last time out, is the one to beat in the $250,000 John C. Mabee Stakes Aug. 11 on the Del Mar turf.

Trainer Todd Pletcher and former assistant Michael Dilger will tangle in the $200,000 Saratoga Special Stakes Aug. 11 at Saratoga Race Course.

Clarence Scharbauer Jr.'s talented homebred Fiftyshadesofgold makes her graded stakes debut Aug. 11 at Saratoga Race Course, one of seven fillies entered for the $200,000 Adirondack Stakes.

Trainer Charlie LoPresti contemplated the question, scuffed his work boots in the dirt a little, answered with a thoughtful air.

Gary Contessa expects a more representative performance out of Rydilluc in Friday's Grade 2, $200,000 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame at Saratoga over 1 1/16 miles on the inner turf.

It's hard to imagine a more idyllic setting than Saratoga Race Course, but Kentucky Derby winner Orb seems to have found one at Fair Hill Training Center near Elkton, Md.

Trainer Mike Puype celebrated his 47th birthday with a victory by favored Alberts Hope in the $150,000 Best Pal Stakes for 2-year-olds Aug. 4 at Del Mar.

Justin Phillip missed winning the 2012 Alfred G. Vanderbilt at Saratoga Race Course by a neck.