Horse Racing News by David Grening

Last year, the best 2-year-old in the country belonged to owner Mike Repole and trainer Todd Pletcher. Through Sunday, the best 2-year-old in the country this year belongs to owner Mike Repole and trainer Todd Pletcher.

When Overdriven rolled to a 3 1/2-length debut victory at Belmont Park on July 1, it evoked memories of Uncle Mo in part because he hails from the same connections. But trainer Todd Pletcher isn't ready to put Overdriven in that category just yet.

The quirky habits that make It's Tricky a well-named filly were on display Saturday morning when, according to her connections, she ran around her stall for 40 minutes before her handlers could get her corralled.

At last year's Saratoga meet, trainer Todd Pletcher won 18 races for 2-year-olds, including two of the three graded stakes run for juvenile fillies.

Perhaps the best illustration of how competitive Saturday's CCA Oaks came up is this: linemaker Eric Donovan made Joyful Victory, the 2-1 favorite in the Kentucky Oaks, the 6-1 longest shot in the five-horse field.

Beads of sweat replaced pellets of rain on people's foreheads, and bottled water may have been more advisable than a can of beer as the refreshment of choice to beat the heat, but in the end opening day of Saratoga's 143rd season was pretty cool.

Literally and figuratively, the heat is on the New York Racing Association as it prepares to open the doors Friday for the 143rd Saratoga meeting.

Mike Hushion truly didn't know what to expect when he ran Gantry in a first-level allowance race at Belmont Park on June 23. After all, Gantry, a 4-year-old gelding, had not run in 227 days, never raced on grass, or faced anything but maidens.

Coming off two graded stakes victories utilizing distinctively different running styles, Banned heads a field of 12 3-year-old turf runners in Saturday's Grade 2, $600,000 Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs.

Ramon Dominguez went into the final four days of racing here with a 64-62 lead over Javier Castellano in the battle for leading rider at the meet, a title that likely won't be decided until closing day.