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Saratoga Diary: Men will be Boys

Travers is the time for guys to go wild.

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McLaughlin Juggling Top Contenders This Year

It's a good time to be Kiaran McLaughlin, but don't confuse that with an easy time. The trainer has his hands full conditioning and placing top runners for Godolphin Racing with year-end goals in mind.

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.

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.

Hansen Works for Travers Stakes

Hansen, the juvenile champion of 2011, worked five furlongs in 1:02 4/5 the morning of Aug. 18 in preparation for a start in the Travers Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga, where Turbulent Descent and It's Tricky also worked.

Musical Romance Gets Her Princess Rooney

Last year, Musical Romance missed victory by a neck in the Princess Rooney Handicap (gr. I). This season, the 2011 Eclipse Award-winning female sprinter would not be denied.

Englehart Makes BC Debut With Tamarind Hall

Trainer Jeremiah Englehart, based at Finger Lakes Casino & Racetrack in upstate New York, will have his first Breeders' Cup starter in Tamarind Hall in the Nov. 4 Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint.

Orchid's Silver Charges to Ballerina Upset

Orchid's Silver, sent off at 26-1 odds, came from off the pace to nip favored Class Included in the $100,000 Ballerina Stakes (Can-III) on the closing day of the Hastings Racecourse season Oct. 2 in Vancouver, B.C.

Big Fields Set for Closing Stakes at Hastings

The final day of the 2011 Hastings Racecourse season Oct. 2 features full fields for two of the biggest events of the meet: the $100,000 Ballerina Stakes (Can-III) and the $100,000 British Columbia Premiers Handicap.

Stay Thirsty, Uncle Mo OK; Coil 'Discouraged'

Todd Pletcher said Stay Thirsty and Uncle Mo were doing fine the day after their strong runs in the Travers Stakes and King's Bishop Stakes, respectively, but that Ballerina winner Hilda's Passion sustained a minor injury.

Hilda's Passion Shows Her Heels in Ballerina

Front-running Hilda's Passion became a grade I winner with a romping triumph in the $250,000 Ballerina Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga Aug. 27.

Ballerina: Sassy Image Looks for 4th Straight

Already a dual grade I winner this year, Sassy Image can keep it going for brothers Jerry and Dale Romans in the $250,000 Ballerina Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga Aug. 27.

Rightly So On Her Toes in Ballerina Romp

Rightly So found grade I success for the first time when she led all the way in the $250,000 Ballerina Stakes over a speed-favoring Saratoga main track Aug. 28.

Informed Decision Likely Choice in Ballerina

Informed Decision, the reigning champion female sprinter, will look for her third straight win in the Ballerina Handicap (gr. I), a race that also has grade I winner Jessica Is Back in its field.

Informed Decision Right Choice in Ballerina?

This time last year, Indian Blessing was the front-runner in the female sprint division and on her way to a year-end Eclipse Award. Now, the Indian Charlie filly will have to take the division's leadership role from Informed Decision, who has won five straight stakes and enters the $300,000 Ballerina (gr. I) as the one to beat.

Against the Sky Streaks to 6th Straight

Surging Against the Sky opened up a two-length lead in the stretch and held off favored Lady Raj in the final stages to win her sixth straight race in the $115,036 Ballerina Breeders' Cup Stakes (Can-III) at Hastings Park in British Columbia Oct. 11.

Harmony Lodge Trying to Make History in Ballerina

Harmony Lodge will attempt to become just the second female in history to win consecutive runnings of the Grade $250,000 Ballerina Stakes (gr. I) when she faces off against seven rivals Sunday at Saratoga

Spa-Loving Dream Supreme Looms Ballerina Choice

Kinsman Stable's Dream Supreme, an nine-time winner in 14 starts, looms the odds-on favorite in Sunday's $250,000 Ballerina Stakes at Saratoga. A field of five was entered in the grade I test at seven furlongs.