Horse Racing News by Claire Novak

Trainer Charlie LoPresti contemplated the question, scuffed his work boots in the dirt a little, answered with a thoughtful air.

It's hard to imagine a more idyllic setting than Saratoga Race Course, but Kentucky Derby winner Orb seems to have found one at Fair Hill Training Center near Elkton, Md.

Justin Phillip missed winning the 2012 Alfred G. Vanderbilt at Saratoga Race Course by a neck.

GoldMark Farm's Cross Traffic sprung a wire-to-wire upset in the $750,000 Whitney Invitational at Saratoga Race Course Aug. 3, kicking away to a ¾-length victory at odds of 7-2 while 2012 winner Fort Larned finished fifth.

Janis Whitham's 2012 Breeders' Cup Classic winner Fort Larned was assigned post 3 and installed as the 7-5 morning-line favorite during a July 31 draw for the $750,000 Whitney Invitational Handicap to be run Aug. 3 at Saratoga Race Course.

George and Lori Hall's 5-year-old Pants on Fire took over in a marred edition of the $200,000 Monmouth Cup on July 28 at Monmouth Park, winning the 1 1/16-mile test after 3-5 favorite Take Charge Indy was suddenly pulled up.

Dogwood Stables' Belmont Stakes winner Palace Malice proved his class July 27 at Saratoga Race Course, powering to victory in the $600,000 Jim Dandy Stakes by a length over Will Take Charge.

Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez became the new all-time leading rider at Saratoga Race Course July 27, when he rode his 694th winner in the fourth race on the card.

Richlyn Farm's homebred Lighthouse Bay upset the $300,000 Prioress Stakes at Saratoga Race Course July 27, winning at odds of 21-1 while 2-5 favorite Kauai Katie failed to fire.

Preakness Stakes winner Oxbow drew post 5 and was installed as the 2-1 second choice for the $1 million William Hill Haskell Invitational to be run July 28 at Monmouth Park.