There weren't a lot of fireworks in the $150,000 Swaps Stakes (gr. II) as Blueskiesnrainbows dictated an even tempo and held on gamely for his first stakes victory in the Independence Day feature at Betfair Hollywood Park.
Top older horses face off at Belmont Park July 7 in the 127th renewal of the $350,000 Suburban Handicap (gr. II), one of the nation's oldest and most prestigious races.
The Grade 2, $350,000 will feature one of its deepest fields in recent history Saturday. Grade 1 winners To Honor and Serve and Stay
Game On Dude seeks the third grade I victory of his career in the $500,000 Hollywood Gold Cup July 7 at Betfair Hollywood Park, a race he lost by a nose last year.
Turbo Compressor, who led throughout in taking last month's 1 3/16-mile Colonial Turf Cup, will attempt to stretch his speed 1 3/8 miles Saturday in the Grade 1, $500,000 United Nations at Monmouth Park. The historical turf fixture, which was introduced in the early 1950s at Atlantic City, has attracted a field of seven.
Game on Dude will seek the third Grade 1 victory of his career in the $500,000 Hollywood Gold Cup on Saturday at Hollywood Park. Set for 1 1/4 miles over the Cushion Track, the 73rd running of the Gold Cup has drawn a field of seven.
Turbo Compressor, winner of last month's Colonial Turf Cup, will attempt to give trainer Todd Pletcher his fourth victory in the United Nations Stakes (gr. IT) July 7 at Monmouth Park.
It had been almost two years since Get Serious earned his last victory, the 2010 edition of the $100,000 Red Bank Stakes (gr. IIIT) at Monmouth Park. On July 4 he made a definitive return to a familiar winner's circle.
The Grade 3, $101,000 Red Bank returned to the Monmouth Park stakes schedule on Wednesday after a one-year hiatus, and right there to pick up where he left off was the eight-year-old gelding Get Serious, who had won the two previous renewals of the one-mile grass race in 2010 in 2009.
Pam and Martin Wygod's Clear Attempt stalked a leisurely early pace and rolled home a winner in the $150,000 Poker Stakes (gr. IIIT) July 4 at Belmont Park.
Martin and Pam Wygod's homebred Clear Attempt stalked the early pace set by Yield Bogey in Wednesday's Grade 3, $150,000 Poker Stakes at Belmont Park, ranged up to his rival's outside rounding the turn and took command entering the stretch under jockey Jose Lezcano. The duo maintained a safe margin throughout the lane, holding even-money favorite Compliance Officer by 1 3/4 lengths on the wire while stopping the clock for the firm-turf mile in 1:34.
Flying Zee Racing Stables' undefeated Agave Kiss is the main filly for five other challengers to beat in the $150,000 Victory Ride Stakes (gr. III) July 7 at Belmont Park.
Mike Mitchell, recovering from surgery to remove a brain tumor, is doing well and is in fine spirits, according to his assistant trainer, Phil D'Amato, who visited the longtime Southern California conditioner July 3.
Trainer Mike Puype knew Turbulent Descent was going to be leaving his barn eventually, but the recent sale of the three-time grade I winning filly to Coolmore Racing still stings.
The Betfair Hollywood Park Players Lounge, a new top of the line customer hospitality venue, will officially open July 6 at with a ribbon cutting ceremony and celebration scheduled from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. PDT.
The catalog for the inaugural Paddock Sale at Del Mar of Race Ready Horses in Training is now on-line. This auction of 44 racehorseswill be held July 22 in the paddock at Del Mar beginning at about 6:30 p.m. PDT.
The wagering firm Betfair and British Racing, comprised of the British Horseracing Authority, the Racecourse Association, and the Horsemen's Group, have signed a landmark five-year commercial agreement.
Due to the extreme heat, Arlington Park has moved its first race post time for its July 5 racing program to 5 p.m. CDT.
BELMONT NOTEBOOK
Several areas of the country are currently experiencing drought. Abnormally dry conditions pose unique health care and management challenges for horse owners.
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