The romance that began in the autumn of 2024 between Saffie Joseph Jr. and major races in Southern California blossomed once again on the afternoon of Aug.
Saturday at Saratoga was a big day for trainer Todd Pletcher, who won five races on the August 1 card capped off by a win by Renegade in the $485,000 Grade 2 Jim Dandy Stakes presented by Mohegan Sun for part-owner
Graded stakes action across the country and in Canada brought some changes to the Equibase North American leaderboard, specifically among 3-year-old fillies with Counting Stars taking the lead following her win in the Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks at Saratoga.
Plenty has changed in the 45 years since the legendary John Henry nipped The Bart in the first and most memorable edition of the Arlington Million. Surviving numerous obstacles, the 1 1/4-mile race remains one of the most prestigious events run on American turf.
The records keep falling for Southern California-based 8-year-old star gelding Gold Phoenix. He won the Grade 2 Eddie Read Stakes July 26 by a nose to become the first horse in Del Mar’s 99-year history to win six stakes races at the famed seaside track.
