Horse Racing News

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert has won the Haskell Invitational a record five times including the past two editions. Ask him the secret to taking home the trophy from Monmouth Park and he'll tell you it's simple: eat a hot dog and send out a good horse.

Centre Court, weaving through traffic in the stretch run on the Saratoga Race Course turf under Julien Leparoux, got the lead in deep stretch and prevailed in a roughly-run renewal of the $200,000 Lake George Stakes July 25.

Zagora won the Diana Stakes in 2011, but the 5-year-old mare faces a steep challenge this time around at Saratoga Race Course as Tapitsfly, Winter Memories, Hungry Island, and two European invaders join the fray.

A deep, competitive field of eight will face off in the $600,000 Jim Dandy Stakes July 28 at Saratoga Race Course to determine who continues to the $1 million Travers Stakes Aug. 25.

Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith will be aboard 2011 2-year-old champion Hansen when the colt makes a start in the $750,000 West Virginia Derby Aug. 4 at Mountaineer Casino Racetrack & Resort, owner Dr. Kendall Hansen and Smith confirmed July 25.

Gemologist will be in the starting gate for the 45th running of the Grade 1, $1 million Haskell Invitational on Sunday.

Belmont Stakes runner-up Paynter posted his fourth consecutive bullet work on Monday, motoring six furlongs in 1:11 4/5 at Del Mar, as he eyes Sunday's Grade 1 Haskell Invitational at Monmouth.

Ramon Dominguez, the reigning two-time Eclipse Award winner as outstanding jockey, joined Hall of Famer John Velazquez July 22 as the only riders in the 144-year history of Saratoga Race Course to win six races on a single card.

Eden's Moon scooted through between horses to take command of Sunday's Grade 2, $150,000 San Clemente at Del Mar and led all the way home in the one-mile grass affair to score by 1 1/4 lengths under jockey Rafael Bejarano.

George and Lori Hall's Bern Identity passed what turned out to be a stern test for inexperienced juveniles in Sunday's Grade 2, $300,000 Sanford Stakes at Saratoga.