Michele Blanco
Calder Race Course

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Herman Heinlein’s turf specialist Soldier’s Dancer is scheduled to make his third start of the year and first start after a nearly four-month layoff when he goes in this Saturday’s seventh race allowance at Calder Race Course, written for 1 1/16 miles on the turf.

(Edited Laurel Park report)

LAUREL, Md. – The second half of the Maryland racing calendar starts on Saturday when Laurel Park opens an 11-day stand with late afternoon racing on Fridays (3:35 p.m.) and 1:10 p.m. posts on Saturdays and Sundays.

 (Edited Del Mar Thoroughbred Club report)

DEL MAR, Calif. – Winless in three maiden races, longshot Wolf Tail rallied from next-to-last to outgame 6-5 favored Grace Upon Grace and win the featured $100,000 Graduation Stakes for California-bred or sired two-year-olds Wednesday.

(Edited New York Racing Association report)

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Will trainer Jonathan Sheppard experience déjà vu with Augustin Stable’s Forever Together?

On Aug. 1, the 5-year-old gray or roan mare seeks to become only the fifth horse to put together back-to-back victories in the $500,000 Diana Stakes (Grade 1), a feat that only Glowing Honor (1988-89), Shuvee (1970-71), Tempted (1959-60) and Miss Grillo (1946-47) have been able to accomplish in the 71 previous editions of the 1 1/8- mile…

Jenny Kellner
NYRA/Saratoga Race Course
  
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Horse racing’s second season hits a high point on August 29 with the 140th running of the $1 million Shadwell Travers, and this Saturday at Saratoga Race Course seven 3-year-olds will assemble for the 46th edition of the Grade 2, $500,000 Jim Dandy Stakes hoping to earn a shot at the Mid-Summer Derby.

Ashley Herriman
NYRA/Saratoga Race Course

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – At first glace, the 91st running of the Grade 3 Schuylerville Stakes looked a lot like the 90th – a bay filly cruising to victory in the rain with familiar faces in the winner’s circle.

(Edited Monmouth Park report)

OCEANPORT, N.J. – Daniel J. Ljoka’s Trust Luc took command out of the gate and never looked back as he rolled to a nearly two-length score in the $52,000 allowance feature at Monmouth Park on Wednesday.

(Edited Saratoga Race Course report)

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Edward P. Evan’s Quality Road signaled his readiness for Monday’s Grade 2, $150,000 Amsterdam this morning with a five-furlong work in 59.38 on the main track.  Jockey John Velazquez was aboard for the move, the fastest of 32 at the distance.

(Edited Del Mar Thoroughbred Club report)

DEL MAR, Calif. – Del Mar put its first week in the books Sunday and track officials found reason to smile when the numbers were tallied at both the wickets and the tote to start the 2009 racing season.

(Edited Monmouth Park report)

OCEANPORT, N.J. – The field for Sunday’s 42nd running of the $1.25 million Haskell Invitational (Grade 1) has started to assemble at Monmouth, and the race will be drawn at a special press conference on Thursday morning at 11:30 a.m. The Haskell draw can be seen live on the Monmouth Park website, www.monmouthpark.com.