As the Breeders' Cup World Championships prepare to return to Lexington, Mayor Linda Gorton today joined Breeders' Cup Festival organizers to announce weeklong plans for a city-wide celebration for racing fans, residents, and international visitors.

Fans of Ways and Means, the dynamo who broke her maiden at Saratoga Race Course by 12 3/4 lengths as 2-year-old in 2023 and has won at least one stakes there every year since, is set to compete at the New York track one final time.

While the Travers (G1) will put plenty of focus on the 3-year-old male division Aug. 29 at Saratoga where dual classic winner Golden Tempo looks to add more luster to his season, the card also features three Breeders' Cup Challenge Series races.

The Aug. 29 stakes-loaded card at Saratoga Race Course could lead to additional mounts for Junior Alvarado during the Breeders' Cup World Championships in the fall.

Grade 1 winner Skippylongstocking will return to familiar ground Aug. 28 when he attempts to win the $1 million Charles Town Classic Stakes (G2) for a third time at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races.

After a 1-2 finish July 24 in the Shuvee Stakes (G2), Fully Subscribed and Scottish Lassie are set for a rematch at the highest level in the $500,000 Personal Ensign Stakes (G1) Aug. 29 at Saratoga Race Course.

Kentucky-bred Iron Man Cal, a son of Collected, will contest the $250,000 Pat O'Brien Stakes (G2) at Del Mar, a Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In race awarding a free spot in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1).

Gold Phoenix will be favored to win the Del Mar Handicap (G2T) for the fifth straight year when he headlines a field of 11 in the $300,000 Breeders' Cup Challenge Series event Aug. 29.

Whitney Stakes (G1) winner Sovereignty has been installed as the 4-1 favorite in the first of two future wagers on this year's $7 million Breeders' Cup Classic (G1).

Fans of Ways and Means, the dynamo who broke her maiden at Saratoga Race Course by 12 3/4 lengths as 2-year-old in 2023 and has won at least one stakes there every year since, is set to compete at the New York track one final time.

In this week's Eye on the World, with BloodHorse correspondent and world traveler Bob Kieckhefer: Jockey challenges are a big hit in other jurisdictions around the world, so why not in America?

This week's podcast playback looks at quotes of interest from racing podcasts Aug. 19-25 including Ted Nicholson on $5 win wagers, Dale Romans on Marshall Gramm investigation, and Steve Asmussen on plans for Magnitude.

Godolphin's Knightsbridge jumped to the No. 2 spot in the National Thoroughbred Racing Association's Top Thoroughbred Poll Aug. 25, following a 6 1/4-length win in the $1 million Pacific Classic Stakes (G1) Aug. 22 at Del Mar. 

One of the most prestigious races in America for older fillies and mares, the $500,000 Personal Ensign Stakes (G1) Aug. 29 at Saratoga Race Course is an important prep on the road to the Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1).

On Aug. 29 at iconic Saratoga Race Course, the 157th edition of the $1.25 million Travers Stakes (G1) known as the Midsummer Derby will richly deserve that nickname with a deeply talented field not seen in quite a while.

Knightsbridge, under Junior Alvarado, proved more than capable of handling 1 1/4 miles in a grade 1 event with a 6 1/4-length victory Aug. 22 in the Pacific Classic Stakes (G1) at Del Mar.

Sorrento Sky comes from the back of the field to catch the leaders late and pull off a 1-length win over fellow Irish-bred No Nay Hudson in the Green Flash Handicap (G2T) at Del Mar.

Sorrento Sky comes from the back of the field to catch the leaders late and pull off a 1-length win over fellow Irish-bred No Nay Hudson in the Green Flash Handicap (G2T) at Del Mar.

Notable Speech streaks clear to claim his sixth group 1 with an impressive effort in the City of York Stakes (G1) at York Racecourse Aug. 22. Trainer Charlie Appleby confirmed his star will likely head straight to the Breeders' Cup Mile (G1T).

The Aug. 21 Nunthorpe Stakes (G1) brought together sublime sprinters from around the world. In less than a minute, a United States speed sensation simply blew away his global rivals.