Horse Racing News by Jack Shinar

Tom's Tribute became a grade I winner July 20 when he held even-money favorite Summer Front safe through the homestretch to register a 1 ¼-length victory in the $300,000 Eddie Read Stakes on the Del Mar turf.

Guided through a smooth trip by Rafael Bejarano, Istanford led every step of the way at 10-1 odds to dominate the $200,000 San Clemente Handicap on the renovated turf course at Del Mar July 19.

Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens' damaged right knee is worse than originally thought and will require complete replacement, complicating his plans for a later comeback.

Unsuccessful in six previous tries at the Grade 1 level, Summer Front is well-positioned to break through as part of a small field in the $300,000 Eddie Read Stakes, the first top-level race of the Del Mar season July 20.

The Pizza Man almost always delivers, and he did so again with a front-running half-length tally in the marathon Stars and Stripes Stakes for his first graded stakes win July 12 on the Arlington International Race Course turf.

Making her second start of the year, Doinghardtimeagain returned to winning form with a perfect stalking trip for jockey Mike Smith in the $200,000 Great Lady M. Stakes July 12 at Los Alamitos Race Course.

Hangover Kid, surging along the inside in the final furlong, produced a head-bobbing victory over odds-on Grandeur in the $200,000 Bowling Green Handicap, the 6-year-old's first graded stakes score July 12 at Belmont Park.

The irrepressible Ben's Cat came from off the pace with a big rush on the outside to register his third consecutive win in the $200,000 Parx Dash Handicap on the turf at the Pennsylvania track July 12.

Unbeaten Shared Belief, last year's 2-year-old juvenile champion, answered the dirt question with an emphatic 4 ¼-length win in the $500,000 Los Alamitos Derby July 5 at Los Alamitos Race Course.

Mr Speaker, ignored at odds of 23-1, charged along the inside to overtake favored Adelaide by a head for a major upset in the $1.25 million Belmont Derby Invitational on the inner turf course July 5 at Belmont Park.