J. Keeler Johnson handicaps the Travers (G1) and Forego (G1) at Saratoga.

Ricky Gonzalez won the second grade 1 of his riding career Aug. 16 in guiding Velocity to an upset victory in the Del Mar Oaks (G1T). A panel of racing experts voted Gonzalez Jockey of the Week for Aug. 11-17.

Nu Pi Lambda, a half sister to multiple grade 1 winner Deterministic, sold for $200,000 to Hinkle Farms to top the session of Fasig-Tipton’s Major Reduction of Harris Farms.

Tip Top Thomas showed his determination Aug. 19 in the $200,000 Smarty Jones Stakes at Parx Racing, holding off a fast-closing Fact to win by a head.

Trainer Brad Cox believes in the “strength in numbers” theory. “You can never have too many shots in a grade 1,” he said.

Maiden Watch: Week of Aug. 11-Aug. 17

Jockey Pietro Moran, 20, would make history one way or another in the $1 million King’s Plate Aug. 16 at Woodbine as he joined his father, David, as the first-ever father-son duo to ride in the first jewel of the Canadian Triple Crown.

Godolphin’s impressive maiden winner Distant Storm clashes with Coolmore’s Italy in the Aug. 23 Acomb Stakes (G3), a Beeders’ Cup Challenge Series event.

More than two hundred attendees gathered at Churchill Downs Aug. 19 to celebrate the life of late horse trainer D. Wayne Lukas, who died June 28 at age 89.

New owners Randy and Jenny Boyd made their presence in the Thoroughbred industry at Fasig-Tipton’s The Saratoga Sale Aug. 4-5 securing two yearlings, including the top priced filly at $2.6 million—Hip 175, a filly by Gun Runner out of Paradise Woods.