The Grade 2 Del Mar Derby was held Sunday, September 1 from a sloppy Del Mar racetrack. The race was split into two divisions due to its popularity with 10 starters in each division. The first of the two races was won by Gabriel Charles who was sent off as the favorite at 19-10 odds and in turn won his first ever graded stakes race.
The $300,000 Grade 2 Del Mar Derby was certainly a popular race this year - so popular that the organizers were forced to split the race into two divisions. The second division was won by Ethnic Dance who led wire-to-wire in the 1 1/8 mile turf test and won by 1 1/4 lengths as the fourth choice at 6-1 odds.
The $300,000 Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante went down on Del Mar turf Saturday, August 31 and featured some of the best two year old fillies in the land. She's a Tiger, sent off at 9-2 odds with legendary Gary Stevens in the saddle posted the win by a half length over the fast closing Fascinating.
One of the two races for two year olds on North American soil, the $100,000 Grade 3 Sapling Stakes took place at Monmouth Park on Sunday, September 1. It was Michael Langford's even money favorite Dunkin Bend that emerged victorious in the field of just four by 1 1/4 lengths over Yes I'm Lucky.
Woodbine Polytrack was the scene of the $150,000 Grade 3 Seaway Stakes on Saturday, August 31. Youcan'tcatchme lived up to her name and wired the field for the second straight start and won by 1 1/2 lengths.
The $300,000 Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes was contested at Saratoga Race Course in the great state of New York on holiday Monday, September 2. Robert Baker and William Mack's Strong Mandate dominated the seven furlong test for two year olds winning by an impressive 9 3/4 lengths at 7-1 odds.
The $300,000 Grade 3 Spinaway Stakes went down in the slop of Saratoga Race Course on Sunday, September 21. 5-2 second choice Sweet Reason was very much the best in the seven furlong test for three year old fillies cruising to a 5 3/4 length victory.
The $750,000 Grade 1 Woodward Stakes was contested on a busy day of racing at Saratoga Race Course on Saturday, August 31. Godolphin Stables' Alpha posted the upset as the longest shot in the field - 7-1 odds in gate-to-wire fashion winning for the first time since the 2012 Travers.
The $500,000 Grade 1 Forego Stakes went down at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York on Saturday, August 31. Strapping Groom provided the upset win by a half length at 15-1 odds for trainer David Jacobson while 6-1 shot Jackson Bend who was caught at the wire finished second.
Saratoga Race Course in New York played host to the $250,000 Grade 2 Bernard Baruch Handicap on Saturday, August 31. 9-10 favorite Silver Max led all the way in the field of five en route to his second graded stakes score in a row - this time by two lengths.
