Horse Racing News

Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith will be aboard 2011 2-year-old champion Hansen when the colt makes a start in the $750,000 West Virginia Derby Aug. 4 at Mountaineer Casino Racetrack & Resort, owner Dr. Kendall Hansen and Smith confirmed July 25.

Gemologist will be in the starting gate for the 45th running of the Grade 1, $1 million Haskell Invitational on Sunday.

Belmont Stakes runner-up Paynter posted his fourth consecutive bullet work on Monday, motoring six furlongs in 1:11 4/5 at Del Mar, as he eyes Sunday's Grade 1 Haskell Invitational at Monmouth.

Ramon Dominguez, the reigning two-time Eclipse Award winner as outstanding jockey, joined Hall of Famer John Velazquez July 22 as the only riders in the 144-year history of Saratoga Race Course to win six races on a single card.

Eden's Moon scooted through between horses to take command of Sunday's Grade 2, $150,000 San Clemente at Del Mar and led all the way home in the one-mile grass affair to score by 1 1/4 lengths under jockey Rafael Bejarano.

George and Lori Hall's Bern Identity passed what turned out to be a stern test for inexperienced juveniles in Sunday's Grade 2, $300,000 Sanford Stakes at Saratoga.

The jockey, the trainer, and the owner will all be very familiar, but a new name, Handsome Mike, will be representing the team of Doug O'Neill, Paul Reddam, and Mario Gutierrez in the $1 million Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park July 29.

Under an enterprising ride by Robby Albarado, Landaluce Educe Stables' Volcat struck the front on the far turn of Saturday evening's Grade 3, $150,000 Virginia Oaks.

Leading turf three-year-old Silver Max continued his winning ways Saturday in the Grade 2, $600,000 Virginia Derby, making it six straight with a comfortable one-length score over the yielding turf at Colonial Downs.

La Tia coasted to her third consecutive victory in as many starts this season with a wire-to-wire score in Saturday's Grade 3, $150,000 Arlington Oaks.