Saratoga Diary: A picnic with something to do

Backyard the preferred spot for many horse players

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Sunshine Millions Classic All-Florida Affair

The question of which state will win the $500,000 Sunshine Millions Classic is moot this year as all 10 entrants were bred in Florida.

Mucho Macho Man Readies for Holy Bull

Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and partners' 3-year-old Mucho Macho Man worked a bullet five furlongs in :59 1/5 Jan. 15 at Gulfstream Park for trainer Kathy Ritvo as he prepares for his 2011 debut in the $400,000 Holy Bull.

Blame Faces Another Test in JCGC

The 4-year-old son of Arch will look to conquer 10 furlongs for the first time when he faces a solid field in the $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup (gr. I) Oct. 2 at Belmont Park.

JCGC Field Beginning to Assemble

Trainer Al Stall Jr. said Whitney Handicap (gr. I) winner Blame would arrive at Belmont Park on Sept. 30 in advance of his expected next start in the $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup Invitational (gr. I).

Two Added to Old Friends Board of Directors

Former trainer Dennis Brida and Thoroughbred owner Carol Nyren have been appointed to the board of directors of Old Friends, the Thoroughbred retirement facility in Georgetown, Ky.

Grand Couturier Eyes Another Bowling Green

Millionaire 7-year-old Grand Couturier has not been a factor in four starts this season, but his connections are hoping he will return to form in a race he won a year ago, the Bowling Green Handicap (gr. IIT) at Belmont.

Arson Squad Becomes Millionaire in Skip Away

Jay Em Ess Stable's Arson Squad became a millionaire when he disposed of Wingedlie by 3 3/4 lengths to win the $125,000 Skip Away Stakes (gr. III) April 3 at Gulfstream Park.

Familiar Rivals Hook Up Again in Skip Away

Jay Em Ess Stable's 7-year-old gelding Arson Squad and Circle E Racing and partners' 6-year-old Timber Reserve will meet for the third time in the $125,000 Skip Away Stakes (gr. III), the April 3 feature at Gulfstream Park.

Quality Road Breaks Own Track Record in Donn

Quality Road broke his own nine-furlong track record that he set last year at Gulfstream Park, turning in a dazzling performance when crushing the field the field Feb. 6 in the $500,000 Donn Handicap (gr. I).

THS: Robert Lewis & Donn

Jason, Tom, and Les Instone of brisnet/Twinspires.com preview the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (gr. II) and the Donn Handicap (gr. I). Plus, quick picks for the Gulfstream Park Turf and the Hallandale Beach.

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Quality Road Looks Like a Handful in Donn

With his setbacks apparently behind him, Quality Road looks to continue what his connections hope will be a stellar 4-year-old campaign in the $500,000 Donn Handicap (gr. I) Feb. 6 at Gulfstream

Full Field of 14 to Try Ft. Lauderdale Stakes

Defending Ft. Lauderdale Stakes (gr. IIIT) champion Kiss the Kid returns for another crack at the turf event, but figures to have a much tougher time in the 2010 edition.

Aqueduct Cancels Stuyvesant Handicap

The Stuyvesant Handicap (gr. III), which began in 1916 and has been run consecutively since 1963, has been canceled due to a lack of interest, stakes coordinator Andrew Byrnes said Nov. 12.

JCGC: Will Summer Bird Soar Again?

Though his racing career began just seven months ago, Summer Bird has accomplished extraordinary things in a short period of time. The Belmont Stakes (gr. I) and Shadwell Travers (gr. I) winner will try to defy the odds once again when he faces older horses for the first time in the $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup Invitational (gr. I) Oct. 3 at Belmont Park.

Commentator Shoots For Third Whitney

The ageless Commentator will try to stand alongside the great Kelso as the oldest horse ever to win the prestigious Whitney Handicap (gr. I), a race he will also attempt to capture for a record-tying third time.

Macho Again in Fast Whitney Workout

Macho Again, winner of last year's Jim Dandy (gr. II), turned in a bullet work before the heaviest of the rains began July 31 as he prepared for the grade I, $750,000 Whitney at Saratoga on Aug. 8.

Commentator All Set For Another Whitney Try

Tracy Farmer's Commentator, the expected elder statesmen of the $750,000 Whitney Handicap (gr. I) on Aug. 8 at Saratoga, turned in a bullet work over the Oklahoma track at Saratoga July 23, breezing five furlongs in :59.12.

Dry Martini Rallies to Win Suburban Handicap

Dry Martini became a millionaire at Belmont Park on July 4, rallying from last to post a two-length upset of favored Asiatic Boy in the 123rd running of the gr. II, $400,000 Suburban Handicap.

Coal Play Has Plenty of Fuel in Salvator Mile

Coal Play, ridden on the front end by Joe Bravo, ran his seven rivals off their feet in the $250,000 Salvator Mile (gr. III) at Monmouth Park July 4, gaining an early berth to the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile.

Smooth Air Heads Salvator Mile for New Barn

Multiple grade II winner Smooth Air, coming off a strong second in the Metropolitan Mile (gr. I), makes his first start for trainer Chad Brown in the $250,000 Salvator Mile (gr. III) at Monmouth Park July 4.

It's a Bird Flying High For Suburban 'Cap

Edmund Gann's It's a Bird, winner of consecutive graded stakes and three of his last four overall, will try to continue his top form when facing nine rivals in the $400,000 Suburban Handicap (gr. II) July 4 at Belmont Park.

Researcher Right at Home in CT Classic

A combination of talent and home-field advantage helped Researcher produce a powerful victory in the inaugural Charles Town Classic at Charles Town Races & Slots the evening of April 18. And he vanquished a few grade I winners in the process.

Macho Again Runs 'em Down in NO Handicap

West Point Thoroughbreds' Macho Again notched his first win since taking the Jim Dandy (gr. II) last summer, as he came roaring from off the pace to capture the $500,000 New Orleans Handicap (gr. II) in the slop at Fair Grounds March 14.

Honest Man Favored in NO Handicap

Fox Hill Farms' Honest Man, winner of the grade III Mineshaft Handicap in his last start, is the 121-pound highweight and 3-1 morning-line favorite for the $500,000, grade II New Orleans Handicap, which is contested at 1 1/8 miles on the dirt as part of the March 14 Louisiana Derby card at Fair Grounds.