It appeared on paper that Smooth Like Strait might have an easy time on the front end in the $300,500 Shoemaker Mile Stakes (G1T).

Longshot Maxim Rate came running with a flourish to earn her first grade 1 victory May 31 in the $300,100 Gamely Stakes (G1T) at Santa Anita Park.

Country Grammer outgamed Royal Ship by a head May 31 to win the $301,000 Hollywood Gold Cup (G1) at Santa Anita Park.

Freshman sire Mohaymen was represented by his first winner May 31 when Whistlewhileyoumow put in a game performance at first asking to dead-heat for the victory in a $30,500 maiden special weight at Prairie Meadows.

Maxim Rate came running with a flourish to earn her first grade 1 victory May 31 in the $300,000 Gamely Stakes (G1T) at Santa Anita Park.

WinStar Farm’s Country Grammer was challenged in the stretch by Royal Ship in the $300,000 Hollywood Gold Cup Stakes (G1), but ultimately dug in to keep his head in front at the wire May 31 at Santa Anita Park.

Bankit secured millionaire status with a powerful score in the $200,000 Commentator Stakes May 31 on a card devoted to New York-breds at Belmont Park.

The depth of the buying bench for the Magic Millions National Yearling Sale has taken an unexpected hit, but the auction house is confident the market strength that has been prevailing all year will continue at the Gold Coast June 1.

Cypress Creek Equine, Arnold Bennewith, and Spendthrift Farm’s Keepmeinmind, with exercise rider Walter Davila up, worked a half-mile in :46.92 from the gate over a sloppy Belmont Park dirt training track May 31. 

Eight men and four women from from Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States have been accepted into the two-year program.