Already with one prestigious Derby victory in a New York turf race, LSU Stable’s Far Bridge goes looking for more against eight rivals in the $600,000 Saratoga Derby Invitational Stakes (G1T) Aug. 5.

Tim Wilkin talks to trainer Brendan Walsh about the Kentucky Oaks (G1) winning filly ahead of the upcoming Test Stakes (G1), taking place at Saratoga Race Course Aug 5.

Saratoga Notebook

In a sport where jockeys know that out of sight often means out of mind, Jairo Rendon defies the norm. Heading into Monmouth Park’s eight-race card on Aug. 4, Rendon has seven mounts, moving up to third in the track’s jockey standings.

Jockey Junior Alvarado, the pilot of Cody’s Wish, wants to keep horse’s winning streak going in the Whitney (G1), not only for the horse and himself, but for Cody Dorman, who the horse is named for.

It’s been a strong flat season so far for French racing, with their major trophies being kept at home and a steady stream of disappointed raiders being sent home to think again. Now, one of its stars has found her way across the Channel.

Trainer Gary Contessa worked Schuylerville (G3) winner Becky’s Joker on Aug. 1 and will run her in the Adirondack (G3) on Aug. 6.

The annual Louisiana Cup Day at Louisiana Downs will take place Saturday, Aug. 5. First post is 1:05 p.m. CT for the nine-race card which will feature six stakes for accredited Louisiana-breds with purses of $75,000 each.

Funny Cide, the 2003 Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness (G1) winner, will be celebrated a month after he died on Aug. 16 at Siro’s in Saratoga Springs. The public is invited and tickets are available.

Best Actor makes his return to graded stakes company Aug. 6 in the $200,000 West Virginia Governor’s Stakes (G3) at Mountaineer Racetrack Casino & Resort.