FIRST DUDE, AFLEET AGAIN ALSO ON TRACK; ZITO PAIR DUE TO ARRIVE SATURDAY

John Heims
Monmouth Park

OCEANPORT, N.J. – The field has begun to assemble at Monmouth Park for Sunday’s $1 million IZOD Haskell Invitational (G1). Three of the eight starters – Lookin at Lucky, First Dude and Afleet Again – galloped over the fast main track here today. The field for the 43rd running of the Haskell Invitational, in post position order, with jockey and morning line…

Jon Forbes
NYRA/Saratoga Race Course
 
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Get Stormy will try to carry his speed 1 1/16th miles over the Mellon Turf when he faces a competitive field on Sunday at Saratoga Race Course in the 26th running of the Grade 2, $150,000 Fourstardave.

Ashley Herriman
NYRA/Saratoga Race Course

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Unrivaled Belle and Malibu Prayer headline a talented group of six for Sunday’s 35th renewal of the Grade 1, $250,000 Ruffian Handicap, which makes its Saratoga Race Course debut.

(Edited Del Mar Thoroughbred Club report)

DEL MAR, Calif. – Holding Her Ground was sent to the front shortly after the start by jockey Christian Santiago Reyes and never looked back as she led from wire-to-wire to win today’s feature race in a $54 upset.

John Heims
Monmouth Park

OCEANPORT, N.J. – Preakness winner Lookin at Lucky drew Post 1, Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver drew Post 6, and the late-developing “now” horse Trappe Shot drew the outside as eight 3-year-olds were entered today for Sunday’s $1 million IZOD Haskell Invitational (G1), traditional centerpiece of Monmouth Park’s Elite Summer Meeting and a race that will produce the leading candidate for championship honors.

Mike Gathagan
Vice President-Communications
Maryland Jockey Club

LAUREL, Md. – The second half of the Maryland racing calendar starts Saturday when Laurel Park opens an 11-day summer meeting with a nine-race card, including an all-Turf Pick 3 to end the program.

Live racing has been on hiatus in Maryland since May 22 at the conclusion of the Pimlico Race Course spring stand.
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Jim McCue/Maryland Jockey Club
A horse trains on the Laurel Park turf…

NTRA release

DEL MAR, Calif. – A field of 10, all with the potential to show up for Del Mar’s signature $1-million Pacific Classic on August 28, is set to go in Saturday’s 69th running of the Grade II, $200,000 San Diego Handicap at 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Del Mar.

Nearly 200 stakes winners, 21 grade/group I victors in 2010 from premier auction

Amy Gregory
Keeneland Association Inc.

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Keeneland has cataloged 4,857 horses for its 2010 September Yearling Sale, to be held Sunday, September 12 through Sunday, September 26. This year’s auction will feature a new format – kicked off by a two-evening select portion of the sale –  designed to better serve Keeneland’s customers in today’s dynamic marketplace.

Jon Forbes
NYRA/Saratoga Race Course

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Forever Together will attempt to become the first horse to win the Grade 1 Diana three consecutive years when she takes on a contentious group of fillies and mares in Saturday’s 72nd renewal of the $500,000, 1 1/8th-mile event over the Mellon Turf at Saratoga Race Course.

 Jenny Kellner
NYRA/Saratoga Race Course

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Some familiar faces from the Triple Crown trail and a handful of up-and-coming colts looking to make their mark in the division are among the 3-year-olds who will assemble at Saratoga Race Course Saturday afternoon for the 47th edition of the Grade 2, $500,000 Jim Dandy.