Horse Racing News

Early-season sophomore stars retired domino-style off the Triple Crown trail this year, and that leaves the "B" team to pick up the pieces in the $1 million Travers Stakes Aug. 25 at Saratoga Race Course.

Leading female sprinter Turbulent Descent will make her first start for new trainer Todd Pletcher in Friday's Grade 1, $500,000 Ballerina at Saratoga.

Last year's juvenile champion Hansen has been ruled out of consideration for the Aug. 25 Travers Stakes at Saratoga Race Course with an injured tendon and likely will not race again, according to his co-owner, Dr. Kendall Hansen.

Grade 1 winner and two-time classic-placed Bodemeister has been diagnosed with an injury to his left shoulder and upon deliberation among veterinarians and the colt's owners, a decision was made to retire the 3-year-old son of Empire Maker.

With an eye-catching final burst, favored Stephanie's Kitten prevailed by a half-length in the $200,000 Woodford Reserve Lake Placid Stakes on the inner turf course at Saratoga Race Course Aug. 19.

Lady of Shamrock captured her second straight Grade 1 victory on Saturday when rallying for a half-length win in the $300,000 Del Mar Oaks.

Heavily favored San Pablo mowed down Toby's Corner and pacesetter Small Town Talk in the stretch to easily win the $150,500 Philip H. Iselin Stakes at Monmouth Park Aug. 18 for his seventh lifetime win in 12 starts.

In her prior visit to North America, Andrew Stone's I'm a Dreamer had missed by a scant head in last fall's Grade 1 E.P. Taylor Stakes at Woodbine.

European invaders swept the first three events at Arlington Park's International Festival of Racing on Saturday, but the marquee race, the Arlington Million, was reclaimed for America by Priscilla Vaccarezza's front-running Little Mike.

Questing turned in a dazzling performance Aug. 18 in the $600,000 Alabama Stakes.