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.

The Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In runs through Del Mar and York Racecourse this week, with six races offering paid, automatic berths into the Breeders' Cup Oct. 30-31 at Keeneland in Kentucky.

The pressure is on Knightsbridge to repeat his spectacular form in the Monmouth Cup Stakes (G3) when he takes on 10 opponents, including Hit Show and Navajo Warrior, in the $1 million Pacific Classic Stakes (G1) Aug. 22 at Del Mar.

The rain has arrived at York at a particularly inopportune moment for all three of the highly rated foreign challengers in the Aug. 21 Nunthorpe Stakes (G1), including Wesley Ward's impressive Royal Ascot winner Bacio.

Same jockey, same trainer, same owners, but a different day and superstar, as Kalpana continues Team Juddmonte's sensational summer in a puzzling Yorkshire Oaks (G1) Aug. 20 at York Racecourse.

One of John Sadler's established stars, 2024 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) winner Full Serrano, is in focus this week as he is entered in the seaside oval's signature race, the Pacific Classic Stakes (G1) Aug. 22.

Haffner was identified as a potential 2027 Two Thousand Guineas Stakes (G1) and Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby, G1) contender by Aidan O'Brien after landing the Acomb Stakes (G3) impressively under Ryan Moore Aug. 19 at York Racecourse.

You have to rewind to Islington in 2003 to find the last filly to go back-to-back in the Yorkshire Oaks (G1). But Minnie Hauk is back Aug. 20 to defend the crown she won so decisively last year at York Racecourse. 

Item overcomes all kinds of trouble to snatch victory on the line from Almaqam in an International Stakes (G1) Aug 19 at York Racecourse that departed dramatically from the script.