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Countdown to the Cup: HOY Follies

It's obvious no one is stepping up to claim the title that is totally up for grabs and no doubt won't be decided until the free for all that will be the Breeders' Cup Classic.

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Breeders' Cup to Offer Mystery Voucher Promo

The Breeders' Cup has announced that for the second year in a row, it will conduct an online mystery voucher promotion in conjunction with the World Championships at Santa Anita Park.

Shanghai Bobby Makes Strong Hopeful Statement

Undefeated Shanghai Bobby used a stalking trip on the outside under Rosie Napravnik before pouring it on in the homestretch to capture the $400,000 Three Chimneys Hopeful Stakes (gr. II) on closing day Sept. 3 at Saratoga.

Ben's Cat Claws Out Turf Monster Repeat

Favored Ben's Cat surged from third in the final furlong to nip Chamberlain Bridge by a head, winning the $350,000 Turf Monster Handicap (gr. IIIT) for the second year in a row Sept. 3 over soft going at Parx Racing.

Biancone Sends Filly to Del Mar Futurity

Patrick Biancone has won stakes races at tracks on three different continents, but Del Mar is not on the list. He'll try to fix that when he runs the filly Switch to the Lead in the grade I Futurity Sept. 5.

New York Racing Returns to Belmont Sept. 8

Top Thoroughbred action in New York returns to Belmont Park for the fall meet with 21 graded stakes beginning Sept. 8.

Shackleford Pointed to Kelso, Breeders' Cup

Scratched by trainer Dale Romans from the Forego Stakes (gr. I) Sept. 1 because of a persistent cough, Shackleford now will be pointed toward the $400,000 Kelso Handicap (gr. II), a one-mile race Sept. 29 at Belmont Park.

McLaughlin Makes Plans for Godolphin Runners

Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, following Godolphin's fourth grade I win of the Saratoga meet with Emcee in the Forego Stakes (gr. I) Sept. 1, talked about the upcoming plans for each of those horses.

To Honor and Serve May Get Start Before Cup

Trainer Bill Mott says he's considering another start for Woodward Stakes (gr. I) winner To Honor and Serve before the Breeders' Cup.

Danedream Defends Her Crown in G.P. von Baden

Top German filly Danedream defended her title in the Grosser Preis von Baden (Ger-I) with a determined half-length win over Ovambo Queen at Baden-Baden Sept. 2.

Know More Heads Dozen in Del Mar Futurity

Twelve juveniles will contest the 65th running of the $300,000 Del Mar Futurity (gr. I), the Southern California oval's traditional closing-day headliner Sept. 5, including the precocious Best Pal Stakes winner Know More.

Executiveprivilege Nabs Debutante Thriller

Odds-on choice Executiveprivilege remained perfect in four starts with her victory in the $300,000 Del Mar Debutante (gr. I) Sept. 1 but had to dig deep to defeat determined pacesetter Beholder by a nose.

To Honor and Serve Shows Courage in Woodward

To Honor and Serve was undeniable in the $750,000 Woodward Stakes at Saratoga Race Course Sept. 1, holding off the late challenge of 4-5 favorite Mucho Macho Man to earn his second grade I by a neck.

Sprint Veterans Headline Turf Monster at Parx

Veteran turf sprinters Ben's Cat and Chamberlain Bridge, who have combined to win the past three renewals of the Turf Monster Handicap (gr. IIIT), head the field for this year's $350,000 race Sept. 3 at Parx Racing.

Bern Identity Faces Pletcher Trio in Hopeful

Todd Pletcher will saddle one-third of the starters in this year's $300,000 Three Chimneys Hopeful (gr. II) for 2-year-olds Sept. 3 at Saratoga Race Course, but Kelly Breen has the morning line favorite in Bern Identity.

Ron the Greek Turns in Post-Whitney Work

Multiple grade I winner Ron the Greek registered his first published work since a runner-up finish in the Aug. 24 Whitney Invitational, breezing four furlongs in :49.95 on the Oklahoma Training Track Aug. 31.

Unbeaten Frankel Headed to Champion Stakes

Juddmonte Farms' Frankel, having extended his unbeaten streak to 13 with a victory in the 1 5/16-mile Juddmonte International (Eng-I), will make his next start in the 10-furlong Champion Stakes (Eng-I) at Ascot Oct. 20.

Maiden Balance the Books Adds Up at Spa

Maiden Balance the Books, last in the homestretch, took the overland route to nab pacesetter Joha on the line in the $200,000 With Anticipation Stakes (gr. IIT) Aug. 30 on the turf at Saratoga Race Course.

Haskell Winner Paynter Showing Improvement

The condition of Zayat Stables' Paynter, who suffered a recurrence of an illness that kept him out of the Travers Stakes (gr. I), was improved the morning of Aug. 29, according to noted veterinarian Mark Cheney.

Velazquez Set for Stakes on Both Coasts

Hall of Fame rider has live mounts at Saratoga and Del Mar this week

Top Three in 'Ensign' Exit Race in Good Order

The top three finishers in the Aug. 26 Personal Ensign Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga Race Course came out of the race in good order, their trainers said Aug. 27.

Dullahan Overpowers 'Dude in Pacific Classic

Shipped to Southern California by trainer Dale Romans after a pair of lackluster efforts, Dullahan collared Game On Dude in deep stretch to take the $1 million TVG Pacific Classic (gr. I) in track-record time at Del Mar.

Love and Pride Stuns Royal Delta in 'Ensign

Love and Pride, staked to a daylight lead in the stretch by John Velazquez, denied the late bid of 3-5 pick Royal Delta to earn her first grade I victory in the $600,000 Personal Ensign Stakes Aug. 26 at Saratoga Race Course.

Obviously Breaks Course Mark in Del Mar Mile

Even-money pick Obviously set blazing fractions in the $200,000 Del Mar Mile (gr. IIT) and found the wire just in time while breaking the Jimmy Durante turf course record Aug. 26.

Casino Host Feels At Home in Del Mar 'Cap

Casino Host, a recent addition to the Southern California male turf division, conquered the 1 3/8-mile distance in his first try with a late-running victory in the $200,000 Del Mar Handicap (gr. IIT) Aug. 25.

New Owners, Same Result for Turbulent Descent

Turbulent Descent made her first start for her new connections a winning one Aug. 24, taking the $500,000 Ballerina Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga Race Course and punching her ticket to the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint.

Jeranimo Looks to Stay Sharp in Del Mar Mile

Just a little more than two months away from making a return appearance in the Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT), Jeranimo heads a field of six for the $200,000 Del Mar Mile (gr. IIT) Aug. 26.

Royal Delta Returns to Spa in Personal Ensign

Royal Delta will make her first start at Saratoga since winning the 2011 Alabama (gr. I) as the 124-pound highweight in the Personal Ensign Invitational (gr. I) Aug. 26.

Baffert 'Moving Forward' in Pacific Classic

The Aug. 26 edition of the $1 million TVG Pacific Classic (gr. I) at Del Mar is about more than a trophy for trainer Bob Baffert, who last week lost two-time Classic winner Richard's Kid in a swiftly-orchestrated sale.

BC Turf Bid Up for Grabs in Del Mar Handicap

An automatic berth in the 2012 Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. IT) will be on the line when nine well-matched horses line up for the $200,000 Del Mar Handicap (gr. IIT) Aug. 25.

Royal Delta Makes It 'Personal'

Besilu Stable's Royal Delta, the reigning 3-year-old filly champion and 2011 Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic winner looms an imposing favorite in the Personal Ensign for trainer Bill Mott.

Who's 'Game' In the Pacific Classic?

The countdown to the Nov. 3 Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita officially hits the second half of the season with the Pacific Classic at Del Mar.

Turbulent Descent Heads Ballerina Field

Turbulent Descent returns to the scene of one of her most impressive victories when she makes her second start of the year Aug. 24 in the $500,000 Ballerina Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga Race Course.

Stephanie's Kitten Surges in Lake Placid

With an eye-catching final burst, favored Stephanie's Kitten prevailed by a half-length in the $200,000 Woodford Reserve Lake Placid Stakes (gr. IIT) on the inner turf course at Saratoga Race Course Aug. 19.

Richard's Kid Purchased, Transferred to Mora

Leading TVG Pacific Classic (gr. I) contender Richard's Kid was sold privately Aug. 18 and has been transferred from the barn of Bob Baffert to Leandro Mora and Doug O'Neill a week before the renewal of the $1 million race.

Little Mike Milks Arlington Million Win

Under a crafty front-running ride from Ramon Dominguez, Little Mike led every step of the way to claim the 30th running of the $1 million Arlington Million (gr. IT) Aug. 18 on the Arlington Park turf.

I'm A Dreamer Just Gets By in Beverly D.

Hayley Turner became the first female jockey to win the $750,000 Beverly D. Stakes (gr. IT) Aug. 18 when she rode I'm A Dreamer to hold off the late charge of Marketing Mix at Arlington Park by a nose.

Chilean Filly Amani to Run in Pacific Classic

Chilean filly Amani will take on males in the $1 million TVG Pacific Classic (gr. I) at Del Mar, trainer Neil Drysdale confirmed Aug. 18.

'Equine Forum' Now Aired Nationally on Sirius

Horse Racing Radio Network's "Equine Forum" is now airing nationally from 8-10 a.m. ET each Saturday on Sirius 93/XM 209.

Fort Larned Is Best of E Dubai, Bayakoa Blood

PORTER ON PEDIGREES, by Alan Porter
The sharp end of a very open older horse division was added a new major player the first weekend in August when Fort Larned won the Whitney.

Acclamation Diagnosed With 'Mild Strain'

The injury that will keep Acclamation from defending his championship in the TVG Pacific Classic Aug. 26 has been determined to be a mild strain of a ligament in the area of the left front pastern.

Million Entrant Afsare Works at Arlington

British-bred Afsare, originally scheduled for turf work on the morning of Aug. 16 in preparation for the Arlington Million (gr. IT), instead drilled a half-mile over the Arlington Park main track due to a steady rain.

Boisterous Tepid Choice for Arlington Million

A field of 11 is set for the 30th running of the Arlington Million (gr. IT) Aug. 18 at Arlington Park, with Phipps Stable's Boisterous installed as the 4-1 morning line favorite.

Marketing Mix Will Feel at Home in Beverly D.

With horses invading from at least four countries as well as various parts of the U.S. for the Beverly D. Aug. 18, it is somewhat ironic that the 3-1 morning line favorite has been based at Arlington much of the summer.

Sutherland Can Ride Game On Dude Despite Ban

Chantal Sutherland will be able to ride Game On Dude in the TVG Pacific Classic (gr. I) at Del Mar Aug. 26 after British racing authorities granted her a partial stay of a four-day suspension earned last weekend.

Acclamation Likely Out of Pacific Classic

Acclamation came out of an Aug. 13 gallop with slight swelling in his left front ankle which owner E.W. "Bud" Johnston said will prevent a title defense in the $1 million TVG Pacific Classic (gr. I) Aug. 26.

Santa Anita to Offer 28 Fall Stakes

Santa Anita Park has announced a 28-event stakes schedule worth more than $4 million in purses for its 24-day Autumn Meet that begins Sept. 28.

Romans' Grass Garrison Marches on Arlington

Dale Romans will send a strong contingent to the Arlington Million and Secretariat (both gr. IT).

Xpressbet to Sponsor Breeders' Cup Sprint

Breeders' Cup and Xpressbet announced they have entered into a multi-year agreement which makes Xpressbet the official wagering partner of the World Championships and the title sponsor of the Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I).

Arlington Million Runs the Globe

The Arlington Million annually draws a star-studded cast of accomplished runners from all over the globe and this year's edition should be no different, as 11 runners were pre-entered.