Dean's Kitten, owned by Ken and Sarah Ramsey, has been installed as the lukewarm 7-2 morning line favorite in the $150,000 Hawthorne Derby (gr. IIIT). Eight 3-year-olds were entered in the 1 1/8-mile turf event.
Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin looks to have a strong hand in the Jamaica Handicap (gr. IT) at Belmont Park Oct. 9, as he sends out a pair of graded stakes winners to head a field of 11 3-year-olds.
Lethal Combination rallied from last in upper stretch to register his first graded stakes win by a half-length over Turf Melody in the $100,000 Saranac (gr. IIIT) on Sarataga's Mellon Turf Course Sept. 5.
Fantastico Roberto, who set the pace but tired in the Jersey Derby last out, was tabbed as the 5-2 morning-line favorite in the $100,000 Saranac (gr. IIIT) Sept. 5 on the Saratoga turf course.
Jason, Tom, and Tim Holland preview the Dwyer Stakes (gr. II) at Belmont Park. Watch Video
A field of seven 3-year-olds led by WinStar Farm's Drosselmeyer, was drawn for the $200,000 Dwyer Stakes (gr. II), which now serves as the local prep for next month's Belmont Stakes (gr. I).
This weekend's stakes action will be as much about earnings as the performances of the horses competing.
Backtalk has already amassed more than $170,000 in graded earnings, which is likely already enough to secure him a slot in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) starting gate.
Earle I. Mack has purchased a 90% interest in the stakes-winning colt Turf Melody, who most recently finished fourth in the March 6 Gotham Stakes (gr. III) at Aqueduct. Turf Melody will race in Mack's colors.
There is no disputing the fact that Eightyfiveinafifty is fast, but the colt will get a chance to show how far he can carry his speed when he faces five 3-year-olds in the $100,000 Whirlaway Stakes Feb. 6 at Aqueduct.
Highly-regarded Maximus Ruler makes his 3-year-old debut when he battles 10 rivals in the $100,000 LeComte Stakes (gr. III) Jan. 23 at Fair Grounds.
Undefeated in three starts, Comedero is the 3-1 morning-line favorite for the $200,000 Springboard Mile, Remington Park's richest 2-year-old race of the year on Dec. 13.
Odds-on choice Ghost Fleet fought off the filly Jenny's So Great by a neck in an all-out stretch duel in Canada's $157,004 Swynford for 2-year-olds Sept. 13, earning his second stakes win over the Woodbine Polytrack.
| Trainer | H. Graham Motion |
|---|---|
| Jockey | Jesse M. Campbell |
| Owner | Earle I. Mack |
| Breeder | Bruce Berenson & Laurie Berenson |
| Turf Melody View Five-Cross Pedigree | Maria's Mon | Wavering Monarch |
| Carlotta Maria | ||
| Tricky Bird | Storm Bird | |
| Tricky Squaw |
| Sale / Hip | Type | Buyer | Consignor | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KEESEP2008 Hip 1028 |
Yearling | Priscilla Graham | Blackburn Farm, agent for Dunwoody Farm | $200,000 |
| California Chrome |
| Rachel Alexandra |
| Upstart |
| Bodemeister |
| International Star |
| Texas Red |
| Far Right |
| Buddy's Saint |
| Calculator |
| Main Sequence |
