The signature race at Del Mar's summer meet takes place this Sunday August 26 when the Grade 1 Pacific Classic Stakes goes down. Horses three years old and upward will be after a healthy purse of $1 million when they go one and one quarter miles on Del Mar's synthetic track.
The Grade 2 Play the King Stakes is on tap for this Sunday, August 26 from Woodbine Race Track in beautiful Toronto Ontario. Horses three years old and upward will race seven furlongs on Woodbine's turf track for a purse of $200,000.
The highlight of Saratoga's summer meet comes our way this Saturday, August 25 when the 143rd running of the Grade 1 Travers Stakes will be contested for three year olds willing to go one and one quarter mile on Saratoga's dirt track. The best three year olds in the land will be racing for a $1 million purse.
Saratoga Raceway in upstate New York will be a busy place this Saturday August 25 - Travers Day will include a number of Grade 1 races including the Grade 1 Test Stakes - a seven furlong "test" for three year old fillies. A very nice purse of $500,000 is on the line for some of the best three year old females in the land.
The 28th running of the Grade 1 King's Bishop Stakes is on tap for Saratoga this Saturday, August 25 during a packed Travers Day schedule in upstate New York. Three year olds will be featured on Saratoga's main track as they go seven furlongs for a healthy purse of $500,000.
The Grade 2 Ballston Spa Stakes comes our way this Saturday, August 25 from Saratoga as part of the much anticipated Travers Day. Fillies and mares three years old and upward will be after their share of the $250,000 purse when they go one and one sixteenth miles on Saratoga's turf track.
Del Mar Race Track will host the Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap this Saturday, August 25. Horses three years old and upward will race one and three eighth miles on Del Mar's turf track in search of their share of the $200,000 purse.
Travers Day weekend officially kicks off this Friday August 23 with the Grade 1 Ballerina Stakes - a seven furlong dash for fillies and mares three years old and upward on Saratoga's main track. A nice purse of $500,000 is on the line Friday for some of the top filly and mare sprinters in the land.
The 71st running of the Grade 1 New York Turf Writers Cup goes down this Thursday, August 23 from Saratoga Raceway in upstate New York. Steeplechasers four years old and upwards will go two and three eighths miles on Saratoga's turf course in search of their share of the $150,000 purse.
With yet another week of racing in the books it is time to take a look back at all the happenings at all the biggest tracks in North America. As per usual there were some terrific races, some anti-climactic results and some performances definitely worthy of mention. This week, we will concentrate on Saratoga, Del Mar, Monmouth, Emerald Downs and Woodbine - let's start with Saratoga.