Horse Racing News

Coming off a dominant victory in the Grade 2 Vagrancy Handicap here June 4, Hilda's Passion would have been a logical candidate for next weekend's Grade 1, $350,000 Princess Rooney Handicap at Calder.

A head is all that separates Adios Charlie from being undefeated this season. On July 2, the improving 3-year-old colt will be one of the favorites to take the Dwyer Stakes at Belmont Park, as he will meet six sophomore rivals in the 1 1/16-mile race.

Victor's Cry returns to defend his title in the Shoemaker Mile Stakes July 2 at Hollywood Park. While he's no lock to go favored in a well-matched turf field, he's going to get much more respect than he did in springing last year's 21-1 shock.

Week after week through June, Smiling Tiger recorded blisteringly quick workouts at Hollywood Park, leading toward Saturday's $250,000 Triple Bend Handicap over seven furlongs.

Billy Denzik paid a mere $6,000 for a yearling colt at auction last fall before asking his friend from high school, Brook Smith, if he wanted to partner up.

Rodman, runner up to Tizway in the Metropolitan Handicap, heads the six-horse field in the Grade 2, $300,000 Suburban Handicap on Saturday at Belmont Park.

Chinchon has traveled the globe since his victory last summer in the Grade 1, $750,000 United Nations Stakes at Monmouth Park.

Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom is through racing this year after being diagnosed with a slab fracture in his left hock, it was announced Wednesday by Barry Irwin, who heads the Team Valor International partnership that owns the colt.

In an otherwise messy race, Malibu Pier had a perfect trip under Brice Blanc and won Sunday's $100,000 Beverly Hills Handicap at Hollywood Park.

Woodbine Oaks winner Inglorious overhauled 61-1 outsider Hippolytus at the sixteenth pole and drew clear to take the 152nd running of the $1 million Queen's Plate Sunday at Woodbine under a flawless ride from Luis Contreras.