Horse Racing News

Lucayan, Barocci, and Jeranimo vainly chased California's top turf miler, Obviously, earlier this summer at Hollywood Park, but theoretically stand a better chance at success in Saturday's Grade 1, $300,000 Eddie Read at Del Mar in that star's absence.

Defending champion Royal Delta tops a field of six entered in Saturday's $750,000 Delaware Handicap at Delaware Park for trainer Bill Mott. The 1 ¼-mile contest will carry Grade 1 status for the first time since 1989.

Tim O'Donohue's Bashford Manor winner Debt Ceiling, undefeated in three starts for Maryland-based trainer John Robb, looms large over six others in the 99th running of the $200,000 Sanford Stakes July 21 at Saratoga Race Course.

Consistent filly Unusual Way, a stakes winner in her only try on turf, is part of a well-matched field of 3-year-old fillies set to battle July 21 in the $150,000 San Clemente Stakes on the Del Mar lawn.

After a fifth-place finish in the June 5 RTN True North Handicap at Belmont Park, Michael Dubb and Gary Aisquith's Sage Valley looks to get back to winning ways in the $100,000 James Marvin Handicap on July 19, opening day at Saratoga Race Course.

Trainer Todd Pletcher, always loaded with 2-year-old talent when the Saratoga Race Course season rolls around, will waste no time testing two promising fillies in the $150,000 Schuylerville Stakes July 19 at the Spa.

Last October at Woodbine in Canada, Chantal Sutherland was on the verge of making the announcement that she was about to ride her last race when fellow jockey Alex Solis offered a word of caution.

Magdalena Racing's War Dancer just withstood the thrust of Charming Kitten in Saturday night's Grade 2, $500,000 Virginia Derby, with the late-running Jack Milton another head away in third, in a climactic conclusion to Colonial Downs' marquee race.

Robert Courtney Jr.'s evergreen nine-year-old Rahystrada made history on Saturday by winning the Grade 3, $200,000 Arlington Handicap for the third time.

Tim F. Ritchey Racing Stables and Beverly Frazier's Dancing Afleet came running in the final yards of Saturday's Grade 2, $308,000 Delaware Oaks to deny pacesetter Ile St. Molly the win by a half-length in the 1 1/16-mile contest.