Horse Racing News Update: Busy Saturday Ahead With Top Turf Stakes

This Saturday promises to be one of the busiest days on the turf stakes circuit, with several high-profile races that could have major implications for championship campaigns later this year.

The $1 Million Grade 1 Arlington Million

The feature event may produce a Breeders’ Cup contender or two, while the $500,000 Grade 2 Beverly D. will serve as an automatic qualifier for the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf.

The $500,000 Grade 1 Fourstardave

At Saratoga, the $500,000 Grade 1 Fourstardave, a Breeders’ Cup Mile “Win and You’re In” event, will be the highlight of a reconfigured card that picked up two additional turf stakes pushed back a week due to rain.

Other Notable Races

“Elsewhere, Ellis Park and Emerald Downs will host their biggest summer race days on Sunday, while the $75,000 Manitoba Derby at Assiniboia Downs in Canada kicks off the week’s noteworthy stakes action on Monday.”

Monday’s Manitoba Derby

Monday’s Manitoba Derby features Awesome Road, a $600,000 colt making his third start for new trainer Rick Wise after changing barns twice. He’ll face eight other 3-year-olds in the year’s premier race at Assiniboia Downs.

Saturday’s Stakes Action

The action heats up on Saturday, beginning with the Arlington Million. Well-traveled 5-year-old entire Nations Pride, a Godolphin homebred with top-level wins in the U.S., Canada, and Germany, comes in off a second-place finish in the Manhattan Stakes (G1) at Saratoga. Trainer Charlie Appleby has been red-hot in U.S. races this year.

The $500,000 Grade 2 Beverly D., an automatic Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf qualifier, features the return of 2023 champion Fev Rover, who will try to defend her title against five other contenders, including Canadian Horse of the Year Moira.

The $300,000 Grade 2 Secretariat Stakes at Colonial Downs has drawn a strong field of 3-year-olds, including Belmont Derby Invitational (G1) winner Trikari, who is cross-entered in the Saratoga Derby Invitational (G1).

The $500,000 Grade 1 Fourstardave at Saratoga features a clash between recent graded stakes winners, with Appleby’s duo of Master of The Seas and Ottoman Fleet taking on Chad Brown’s Carl Spackler.

The $1 million Saratoga Derby Invitational (G1) also had its field redrawn after the race was pushed back a week, with Appleby’s Legend of Time and Belmont Derby winner Trikari among the top contenders.

Rounding out the stakes-filled Saturday, the $200,000 Grade 2 Saratoga Special for 2-year-olds will showcase the debut winner Keep It Easy, who earned a strong 79 Beyer Speed Figure last time out.

Be sure to check back for full race recaps and analysis as the action unfolds this weekend on the road to the Breeders’ Cup.

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