Acting upon the recommendation of the chief commission veterinarian of the Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission, Delaware Park canceled the live racing card July 16 after the second race due to a higher-than-expected heat index.

Whisper Hill Farm’s Graceful Princess, out of 2011 Horse of the Year Havre de Grace, dug in down the Monmouth Park stretch July 17 and finished three-quarters of a length in front to win her first stakes, the $255,500 Molly Pitcher Stakes (G3).

A severe weather system passing through the area, producing heavy rain and multiple lighting strikes, forced the cancellation of the July 17 live race program at historic Pimlico Race Course.

It seemed impossible that anything could raise the temperature on a scorching day July 17 at the Curragh, but somehow Snowfall—of all elements—did just that with a red-hot Irish Oaks (G1) performance.

Godolphin homebred Essential Quality, last-out winner of the Belmont Stakes (G1), breezed five furlongs in 1:01.81 on the Saratoga Race Course main track July 17 in preparation for the $600,000 Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) on July 31.

A new overnight stakes, the $60,000 Tri-State for 3-year-olds and up at a mile on the main track, has been added to the condition book at Ellis Park. It will be run Aug. 7. 

Multiple stakes winner Avie’s Flatter, who cruised to victory in his return to action in June, will face eight rivals on Woodbine’s E. P. Taylor Turf Course July 18 in the CA$175,000 Connaught Cup Stakes (G2T).

Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1) winner Mystic Guide will have surgery to remove a chip in a knee, according to a release from the colt’s owner/breeder, Godolphin.

Wachtel Stable, Gary Barber, Nicolas Drion, and Mathilde Powell’s Flashiest was victorious in the first stakes of the Del Mar summer meet July 16, the $100,000 Runhappy Oceanside Stakes.

It takes a certain breed of horse to win a grade 1 stakes such as the TVG.com Haskell Stakes. It also takes a certain breed of racetrack executive to work at Monmouth Park.