Spring in the Air, a grade I winner at 2 and a consistent player in graded stakes events in her two subsequent seasons of racing, will bid for millionaire status against nine rivals in Churchill Downs' Chilukki Stakes.
Top Kisser proved she can handle the heat when she came from off the pace to win the $100,000 L.A. Woman Stakes (gr. III) as undefeated Emerald Downs shipper Stopshoppingdebbie fizzled when favored at Santa Anita Oct. 4.
Stopshoppingdebbie has won her first nine races, all at Emerald Downs, and seeks to hit the big time when she tackles five foes at Santa Anita in the L.A. Woman Stakes (gr. III), her first graded test.
Grade I winner Sweet Lulu makes her first start since a fifth-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (gr. I) as the likely choice in the $300,000 La Brea Stakes (gr. I) opening day Dec. 26 at Santa Anita Park.
Godolphin Racing's Wedding Toast took charge at the start and held on for a head victory over hard-charging longshot Toasting in the $400,000 Comely Stakes (gr. II) Nov. 30 at Aqueduct Racetrack.
Aqueduct's Comely Stakes (gr. III) drew a field of 10 3-year-old fillies for a run at graded black type...and a $400,000 purse.
Ten 3-year-old fillies, including grade I winner So Many Ways and twice grade I-placed My Happy Face, are expected to compete in the $400,000 Charles Town Oaks at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races Sept. 21.
Grade I winners Sweet Lulu and Close Hatches will meet on the track for the first time when an accomplished group of 3-year-old fillies starts in the $1 million Cotillion Stakes (gr. I) Sept. 21 at Parx Racing.
Steve Beneto's Sweet Lulu shipped across the country, ran on dirt for the first time, tackled graded stakes company, and emerged victorious in the $500,000 Test Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga Race Course Aug. 24.
Jockey Joel Rosario fractured a bone in his left foot and will be sidelined for six weeks. He will be replaced by Jose Lezcano on Orb in the Travers Stakes; a rider is still needed for Game On Dude in the Pacific Classic.
Can Lighthouse Bay, who won the Prioress at odds of 21-1, hold off the likes of My Happy Face, So Many Ways, Ju Ju Eyeballs, Baby J, and California invader Sweet Lulu in Saratoga's $500,000 Test?
Princess of Sylmar was much the best in the $294,000 Coaching Club American Oaks (gr. I), adding the July 20 Saratoga fixture to her earlier win in the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) this spring for King of Prussia Stable.
Tom LaMarra and Claire Novak handicap the Delaware Handicap and CCA Oaks. Do you think the races will be exciting with such small fields but big talent? watch video
Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) victress Princess of Sylmar and Unlimited Budget, who recently ran sixth in the June 8 Belmont Stakes (gr. I), top a quality field of five for the $300,000 TVG Coaching Club American Oaks (gr. I).
Tell a Great Story could move from stakes winner to graded victress with a win in the $300,000 Delaware Oaks (gr. II) at Delaware Park. But Ile St. Molly is one of eight who stand in her way.
My Happy Face, runner-up in the 2012 Frizette Stakes (gr. I) and winner of that year's Tempted Stakes (gr. III) at Aqueduct Racetrack, is off the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) trail with a virus contracted at Gulfstream Park.
Kauai Katie, who had begun her 3-year-old campaign with a smart eight-length score in the Old Hat Stakes (gr. III) Jan. 1, captured the Forward Gal at seven furlongs in 1:22.13.
Kauai Katie has proven her talent among the best in North America, while Fusaichiswonderful is undefeated with four graded stakes victories earned in Puerto Rico. Pletcher saddles both at Gulfstream Jan. 26.
Unlimited Budget went straight to the lead and stayed there in the $237,500 Demoiselle Stakes (gr. II) Nov. 24 at Aqueduct Racetrack, remaining unbeaten with her first stakes score.
In a juvenile filly stakes worthy of Breeders' Cup weekend, My Happy Face nipped Cue the Moon by a neck in the $142,500 Tempted (gr. III) at Aqueduct Racetrack Nov. 4.
After just missing out on a grade I victory in her previous start, My Happy Face will try to put smiles on her connections' faces Nov. 4 in the $150,000 Tempted Stakes (gr. II) at Aqueduct.
Heavily-favored Dreaming of Julia held off My Happy Face in a gritty stretch battle to win the $400,000 Frizette Stakes (gr. I) at Belmont Park Oct. 6.
Stonestreet Stable's homebred prodigy runner Dreaming of Julia will have the opportunity to show her talents at the grade I level when the juvenile filly faces six others in the Oct. 6 Frizette at Belmont Park.
| Horse | Trainer | Breeder / Owner |
|---|---|---|
| Bliss | Danny Gargan |
|
| Diva Spirit | Oussama Aboughazale |
|
| Giant Cats Eye | Edward Plesa, Jr. |
|
| Girl Code | Danny Gargan |
|
| Majestic Marquet | Rudy R. Rodriguez |
|
| My Happy Face | Peter Miller |
|
| What You Know | Michelle Nihei |
|
| Race | Track |
|---|---|
| Lotka S. | BEL |
| Smart and Fancy S. | BEL |
| Astronomia S. | BEL |
| Race 1 (AOC) at BEL on 6/13/13 | BEL |
| BALLYCORUS STAKES (gr. III) | LEO |
| Race | Track | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Rego Park S. | AQU | |
| Ladies H. | AQU | |
| H. Allen Jerkens S. | GP | |
| Tomball S. | HOU | |
| Martha Washington S. | OP |
