On Racing, sponsored by Equine Discounts

Despite a no-show performance in the Whitney Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course earlier in the meet, Olympiad is getting plenty of respect in the $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) at the Spa.

Desert Dawn, second vs. older fillies and mares in the Aug. 6 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes (G1) at Del Mar, is back with fillies in her own 3-year-old age group in the $125,000 Torrey Pines Stakes (G3) Sept. 4.

The Fahrhof-bred Kingman colt provoked an international bidding battle between agents Jason Litt and Michael Donohoe at the BBAG Yearling Sale Sept. 2 with Solis/Litt striking the decisive blow at €450,000 (US$449,428).

Trainer Todd Pletcher already has the best 3-year-old filly in the land in his barn in the imposing Nest, winner of the Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) and Alabama (G1) at Saratoga. It looks like her little brother can run a bit, too. L

Francis Graffard is looking forward to getting back on track with Melbourne Cup (G1) heroine Verry Elleegant, with an appearance at ParisLongchamp on Arc Trials day the target for the 11-time group 1 winner. 

Emaraaty Ana’s performance in last month’s Nunthorpe Stakes (G1) was exactly what connections had hoped to see prior to his bid to land a second running of the Sprint Cup (G1).

Eleven 3-year-old turf horses were entered in the 19th running of the $300,000 New Kent County Virginia Derby (G3T), the pinnacle of a stakes-laden card at Colonial Downs Sept. 6.

Graded stakes winners Grand Sonata and Ready to Purrform head an overflow field for the $750,000 Dueling Grounds Derby (G3T) Sept. 4 at Kentucky Downs.

Parx Racing-based trainer Penny Pearce, suspended 1,950 days and fined $23,500 by Pennsylvania stewards Aug. 29 after six out-of-competition tests detected the presence of clenbuterol in her horses, will appeal, attorney Alan Pincus said Sept. 2.