August 20, 2008
One Union up for next test
One Union won a breathtaking five-horse photo finish in the Wickerr Handicap at Del Mar on July 25, finally delivering a stakes win that had eluded the 5-year-old horse.
August 20, 2008
Pacific Classic could turn into a duel
Between them, Mast Track and Well Armed have won the two most recent major stakes for older horses on the main track in California. Mast Track won the $750,000 Hollywood Gold Cup on June 28, and Well Armed won the $300,000 San Diego Handicap at Del Mar on July 19.
August 20, 2008
Desert Key's draw pleases Jerkens
Shortly before Wednesday’s post-position draw for the $250,000 King’s Bishop Stakes, trainer Jimmy Jerkens said he’d prefer to be near the inside rather than the outside with his speedy Desert Key. Jerkens got his wish after Desert Key drew the rail for the Grade 1 King’s Bishop, the most important of three graded stakes on Saturday’s Travers Day undercard.
August 20, 2008
Ten entered in Arlington Sprint
The theory often is propounded among horsemen that you don't duck just one horse, and that must be the theory being applied to the Arlington Sprint Handicap. No one has yet come close to beating Mr. Nightlinger in a turf sprint, and Mr. Nightlinger will be heavily favored to win the Arlington Sprint Handicap, but nine others were entered when the race was drawn Wednesday.
August 20, 2008
Hystericalady ships in to defend title
August 20, 2008
Harty still confident in his Colonel
The 9-2 odds Colonel John went off at in the Kentucky Derby represented the longest price of his career. Those who have not given up on him should get better odds than that in Saturday's Grade 1, $1 million Travers Stakes at Saratoga.
August 20, 2008
Le Cinquieme Essai goes for threepeat
William Scott’s 9-year-old iron horse Le Cinquieme Essai will try to win the Play the King Stakes (Can-IIT) for the third consecutive year, as he takes on 10 rivals in the $200,000 turf event Aug. 23 at Woodbine.
August 20, 2008
Talented sprinters converge on King’s Bishop
The United States classic races were not in the cards for J Be K, Golden Spikes, or Kodiak Kowboy, each of whom has shown brilliance at sprint distances but has not won beyond seven furlongs.
August 20, 2008
Three options for Big Brown's turf race
Big Brown will make his next start in a turf race at 1 1/8 miles on Sept. 13. Where he will make that start is uncertain, though there are three tracks that either have or are inventing such a race.
August 20, 2008
Pyro morning line favorite for Travers
A field of 12 was entered Aug. 20 for the $1 million Travers Presented by Shadwell Farm at Saratoga Aug. 23.
