Mandaloun, Life Is Good, Ce Ce return in July Fourth weekend horse racing
July 4th weekend is a great time for horse racing. Mandaloun, Life Is Good, Ce Ce and other notables will make their first starts since March 26. There's graded stakes action from Canada to Florida, from New York to Kentucky and out to California. Churchill Downs canceled its turf racing to give the grass more time to grow. The international scene is hot, with the Group 1 Coral-Eclipse topping England's schedule and France's Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud.
Mandaloun returns to action in Saturday's $750,000 Grade II Stephen Foster Stakes at Churchill Downs. It's his first start since a disappointing ninth-place finish in the Dubai World Cup (G1) on March 26. Since the race debuted in 1982, no horse has won the Kentucky Derby and Stephen. Foster. Charge It, Charge. it and Nabokov are entered in a $250,00 Grade III Dwyer Stake for 3-year-olds at Belmont Park on Saturday. Rondure, Fuerteventura and Duke of Love are in an eight-horse field entered for Saturday’s $150, 000 (Canadian) Grade 3 Marine Stages at Woodbine. Artie's Storm, Frosted Over and 2020 Queen's Plate winner Mighty Heart are also entered.
Distaff has five horses signed up for Saturday's $350,000 Grade II Fleur de Lis Stakes at Churchill Downs dirt. Shedaresthedevil won the 2020 Kentucky Oaks. Pauline's Pearl has finished ahead of Shedestarestedevil in their last two meetings. Shotgun Hottie is the morning-line favorite for the $300,00 Grade III Delaware Oaks at Delaware Park.
Life Is Good is the big deal in Saturday's $250,000 Grade II John A. Nerud Stakes at Belmont Park. It's his first start since finishing fourth in the Group 1 Dubai World Cup. Speaker's Corner is a Godolphin homebred colt by Street Sense. Drain the Clock is favorite among six entered for Saturday’s $100,00 Grade III Smile Sprint Stake at Gulfstream Park, while Willy Boi is back after two straight wins. Gunite is in Sunday's Maxfield St. at Churchill Downs. Aloha West is set to line up for the $160, 000 Kelly's Landing Stages at the Churchill downs.
Ce Ce is the feature attraction in Saturday's $250,000 Grade II Princess Rooney Invitational at Gulfstream Park. The 6-year-old Elusive Quality mare is reigning champ in that race and has amassed six graded stakes wins.
The American Derby is moved to the main track. Main Event and Tommy Bee are the only two players in the field for Saturday's $200,000 Grade III Kent Stakes at Delaware Park. Entries for Monday's Manilla Stake at Belmont Park were not available at deadline time. Churchill Downs closed down the green course to let it grow. It's not clear what will happen to "Arlington Million" weekend.
Lady Speightspeare is the favorite in a field of 11 for Saturday's $175,000 Grade II Nassau Stakes at Woodbine. Radio Days is a Gun Runner filly trained by Shug McGaughey. Sunday's Boiling Springs Stake for 3-year-old fillies at Monmouth Park has a seven-strong field.
Bound for Nowhere is the morning-line pick for Saturday's $200,000 Grade II Highlander Stakes at Woodbine. Silent Poet, Tap It to Win and Voodoo Zip are other viable alternatives.
Mr. Gordy finished fourth in the Kentucky Juvenile Stakes on May 5. Monday's Bashford Manor Stake at Churchill Downs has a field of six.
Mandaloun, Life Is Good, Ce Ce and Frango Electrico are racing at the Debutante Stakes at Churchill Downs on Monday. Frago Electrica sold for $4,000 at 2021 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Yearling Sale and earned $10,00 for winning at Belterra Park in her second start.
Mandaloun, Life Is Good and Ce Ce return in July Fourth weekend horse racing.
Vadini is the favorite in Saturday's Coral-Eclipse at Sandown. Native Trail is a close second. The winner will earn his reward. Lord North is an outsider in the early wagering at odds of 20-1.
Hollie Doyle takes the mount on Wagnis for trainer Markus Klug. Frankie Dettori rides So Moonstruck for Trainer Pieter Schiergen.
Mandaloun, Life Is Good, Ce Ce and Alpinista are engaged for Sunday's Group 1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud. Hurricane Lane, Mare Australis and Bubble Gift return after finishing first and second in the Group 2 Grand Grand prix de Chantilly June 5. Baratti, a progressive Frankel colt bred and owned by Juddmonte, steps into the big time.
There is a full field of 18 runners for Saturday's Group 1 Durban July. The theme this year is "Show Me the Honey". Justin Snaith saddles five of the 18, including Do It Again. Mike de Kock trains four, among them Aragosta.
Mandaloun, Life Is Good and Ce Ce will play in July Fourth weekend horse racing.
Half of the six-horse field scratched out of Wednesday's $50,000 Stanton Stakes for Delaware-breds. Witty, a Great Notion gelding, started last and finished first by 5 lengths. Crabs N Beer was second, Liltonytwophones was 5 3/4 lengths behind.
Nobody Listens won Wednesday's $100,000 Brickyard Stakes for Indiana-breds. Flowerpecker was second and Meetmeinkingston was third. Hungarian Princess won Checkered Flag Stake for state- bred fillies and mares.
Both of Monday's $100,000 stakes for Pennsylvania-breds came off the turf onto the good, sealed main track. Undercover Kitty won the Crowd Pleaser Stakes for 3-year-olds by 6 lengths over Loose Ends. Chub Wagon, the odds-on favorite, ran by pacesetting Hey Mamaluke in the Power By Far Stake for state- bred fillies and mares and went on to win by 3/4 length.
Longines and the Hong Kong Jockey Club extend the sponsorship of the International Races for five years. The deal also includes the jockey competition and Longines "World's Best Jockeying" award. Purses for the four Group 1 races have been bumped up from HK$10 million to HK $110 million.
