With scattered rain forecast for Saratoga beginning Thursday and continuing through the weekend, Gun Pilot may face an off-track, which he handled easily in an allowance/optional claiming race at Fair Grounds Race Course and Slots in January. 

Trainer Chad Brown, who has won the Manhattan Stakes (G1T) eight times, brings multiple grade 1 winner Program Trading into the June 8 race at Saratoga Race Course. Top international trainer Charlie Appleby has strong competition with Nations Pride.

A video version of Jay Hovdey’s column from the June issue of BloodHorse magazine.

Belmont Notebook

The New York Racing Association unveiled sweeping renovations and upgrades to the lower level of the Clubhouse at historic Saratoga Race Course June 4, highlighted by a reimagined Jim Dandy Bar.

Provisional suspensions for trainers will be deferred until a thorough review of the science related to metformin is conducted and evaluated by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority’s Anti-Doping and Medication Control Committee.

It seems like everyone wants to be at Saratoga Race Course for the upcoming Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, including Mother Nature.

Porter on Pedigrees

Sales house Arqana has committed a percentage of their annual sales ring revenue for the ongoing support of Au-Dela des Pistes, France’s main organizing structure for the aftercare and retraining of racehorses.

Baffert’s Prince of Monaco hits the Spa track as the morning-line favorite despite having not raced since running fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1). Prior to that, he had won his first three starts including the Del Mar Futurity (G1).