Del Mar, Saratoga, Ascot top weekend cards

Del Mar and Saratoga are open for business this weekend and Ascot runs one of England's most important races of the year -- the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

The King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, always a major event, this year is not only part of the QIPCO British Champions Series but also part of the Breeders' Cup "Win and You're In" program, with a guaranteed spot in the Breeders' Cup Turf on the line and some of the British Isles' top middle-distance horses ready to run.

Workforce, winner of last year's Epsom Derby and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, remains in the field for Prince Khalid Abdulla. Workforce, who was set to run in last year's Breeders' Cup Turf until the conditions at Churchill Downs were judged unsuited by trainer Sir Michael Stoute, is seeking revenge for last year's running of this race, in which he beat only the pacesetter.

Coronation Cup winner St. Nicholas Abby also is set to face the starter for trainer Aidan O'Brien. Godolphin has two prospects in Rewilding, winner of the Prince of Wales's Stakes and Debussy, winner of last year's Arlington Million in the silks of Princess Haya of Jordan. John Gosden is set to saddle Nathaniel, who won the King Edward VII at the same distance over the same course a month ago.

Saratoga, "The Spa" in Upstate New York, and Del Mar, "Where the Turf Meets the Surf" in Southern California, bridge the early part of the racing season and the year-end showdowns that crown champions.

Saratoga's first weekend includes critical races for East Coast-based 2-year-olds with an eye on the Breeders' Cup races. Friday's offering is the $100,000, Grade III Schuylerville Stakes for juvenile fillies going 6 furlongs. Saturday's card includes the $150,000 Grade II Sanford, also 3/4 mile.

Overdriven, owned by Mike Repole of Uncle Mo fame, is the likely favorite in the Sanford off a very impressive maiden win at Belmont Park. However, as trainer Neil Howard noted as he entered the 5-1 morning-line second choice, Power World, "I think at this stage they're all pretty much in the same boat, making their second or third starts, and all pretty good races." Eight were entered for the Sanford, first of three races that culminate in the Three Chimneys Hopeful Sept. 5.

Nine fillies were entered for the Schuylerville -- six of them coming off maiden wins. The others are the first two finishers in the Grade III Debutante at Churchill Downs -- Flashy Lassie and Five Star Momma -- and Gypsy Robin, who finished seventh in her stakes debut, the Queen Mary Stakes at Ascot in England June 15. Todd Pletcher will saddle Georgie's Angel in an effort to win the race for a fourth time.

Another option for 2-year-olds is Saturday's $70,000 Tyro Stakes at Monmouth Park. That event, at 5 1/2 furlongs, could be attractive to those eyeing the new Breeders' Cup Juvenile Sprint rather than a stretchout later in the Saratoga meeting.

Saratoga also has the $250,000, Grade I Coaching Club American Oaks on Saturday -- a 9-furlong test for 3-year-old fillies that could be the highlight of the U.S. weekend. The field of five includes the winners of the Kentucky Oaks, Acorn, Mother Goose, Black-Eyed Susan and Fantasy for its 95th running, sponsored by TVG. Bob Baffert sends Kentucky Oaks winner Plum Pretty back to the dirt after a loss in her last start on Hollywood Park's all-weather surface. "I think she likes the dirt better," said assistant trainer Jim Barnes.

Del Mar's first graded stakes is Saturday's $300,000, Grade I Eddie Read Stakes at 9 furlongs on the grass. Caracortado, who never really caught on last year as a Triple Crown contender, seems to have found a happy home on the turf and will be among the favorites, along with the impressive mare Celtic Princess. Trainer Graham Motion ships Smart Bid from the East Coast after a pair of tough beats in the Colonial Turf Cup and the Turf Classic. Acclamation comes into the race off a win last month in the Charlie Whittingham, albeit at 1 1/4 miles.

Saturday, 3-year-old turf fillies get their chance at Del Mar in the $150,000, Grade II San Clemente Handicap at 1 mile.

Arlington Park cards the $100,000, Grade III Stars and Stripes at 1 1/2 miles on the grass Saturday. Woodbine has the Nijinsky Stakes at 9 furlongs on the turf on and the Ontario Matron for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles on the all-weather track, both on Sunday. Prairie Meadows scheduled the $100,000 Prairie Meadows Handicap at 1 1/4 miles Saturday.