(Edited Churchill Downs report)

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Gold Mark Farm’s Backtalk, an impressive debut winner, and Millsap Stables’ homebred Brassy Boy, unbeaten in two career starts, head a field of nine 2-year-olds entered for  Friday’s 108th running of the Bashford Manor (Grade 3) at Churchill Downs.

Jenny Kellner
NYRA/Belmont Park

ELMONT, N.Y – The upcoming Fourth of July weekend at Belmont Park promises to deliver plenty of fireworks on the track, with a trio of great stakes races on Saturday, Independence Day, in the Grade 2, $400,000 Suburban Handicap, the Grade 2, $200,000 Dwyer for three-year-olds and the Grade 1, $300,000 Prioress for three-year-old fillies, followed by Sunday’s Grade 2, $200,000 Tom Fool Handicap.

Breeders’ Cup release

PRESIOUS PASSION led every step of the way en route to an upset victory in the 2008 Grade 1 United Nations at Monmouth Park. Saturday, the 6-year-old gelding looks to repeat in the $750,000 United Nations which along with Monmouth Park’s $250,000 Salvator Mile represents the first state-side races in this year’s international “Win and You’re In” Breeders’ Cup Challenge series. (Click on link for complete schedule http://www.breederscup.com/content.aspx?id=40070)

NTRA release

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) announced today the broadcast schedule for “Emirates Airline Summer Racing Presented by the NTRA” to air on the ESPN networks beginning Saturday, July 25. The series will provide comprehensive, live coverage of Grade I summer racing fixtures from three of America’s most loved racing venues.

(Edited Monmouth Park report)

OCEANPORT, N.J. – Saturday’s $750,000 United Nations Stakes and Monmouth Park T-shirt giveaway top this weekend’s activities as the racetrack celebrates the 4th of July with special events and activities on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Keeneland release

Lexington, Ky. – Keeneland magazine, published quarterly by Blood-Horse Publications, was recognized with the top award for general excellence at the 2009 American Horse Publications (AHP) annual awards program, held June 27 in New Orleans.

(Edited Calder Race Course report)

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Horses from coast to coast as well as a strong local contingent have been nominated to the tenth annual Summit of Speed at Calder Race Course, to be held this year on Saturday, July 11, including last year’s Eclipse Award winning sprint champions, Benny the Bull and Indian Blessing.

(Edited Churchill Downs report)

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (Grade 1) winner Mine That Bird worked a half-mile in :51 over a fast track Monday morning at Churchill Downs in his first serious training move since a third-place finish to Summer Bird in the Belmont Stakes (Grade 1) on June 6

Jockey Calvin Borel was aboard for the first in a series of five breezes leading to a scheduled run in the $750,000 West Virginia Derby…

(National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame release)

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The National Museum of Racing’s new exhibit, Preserving our Past, is open in the von Stade Gallery. Featuring several paintings and trophies from the permanent collection, the exhibit, staged by Museum Curator of Collections Beth Sheffer, will run until Dec. 31.

(Edited Hollywood Park report)

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Defending champion Black Mamba, third at the head of the stretch, gradually wore down the leaders and caught Charming Legacy just before the wire to win the $150,000 Beverly Hills Handicap by a head under jockey Garrett Gomez on Sunday at Hollywood Park.