Horse Racing News by Vance Hanson

Gio Ponti will oblige his loyal fans with his presence for a third consecutive year in Saturday's Grade 1, $400,000 Manhattan Handicap, a 1 1/4-mile inner turf heat which precedes the classic Belmont Stakes on a 13-race program.

Denied last year from becoming the first back-to-back winner of the Brooklyn Handicap since Waquoit (1987-88), Eldaafer can still make a little history with a second career win in Friday's 1 1/2-mile marathon over one lap of Belmont Park's hallowed oval.

Amazombie bulled his way between rivals in the stretch and drew off to cross the wire first by a half-length in Monday's Grade 3, $100,000 Los Angeles Handicap at Hollywood Park.