Mike Welsch

Smart Uncle surprised a lot of people when he ran down his tiring stablemate, Roja Redemption, then withstood a final surge from Fil Dor to register a three-quarter-length victory in Wednesday’s Grade 1 A.P. Smithwick Handicap at Saratoga.

Munnings Express made her stakes debut a winning one and did it in style, parlaying a perfectly orchestrated trip by jockey Manny Franco into a very professional 1 3/4-length victory over Landed in the $200,000 Johnstone Stakes for older New York-bred fillies and mares Wednesday at Saratoga.

Explora got the better trip when turning back On Time Girl to capture the Leslie's Lady Stakes at Churchill. But trainer Brad Cox is hopeful both the race shape and final result will be different Saturday at Saratoga in the Test Stakes.

After defeating open company in impressive fashion in the Sharp Susan Stakes, it seems only the added distance or a disastrous trip can keep Hot Rod Honey from remaining undefeated Saturday at Gulfstream Park in the $100,000 Scandalous Act Stakes.

An emotional day for trainer Miguel Clement and a sensational day for jockey Manny Franco became an even more memorable day for both after the pair combined to win the $400,000 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Stakes with the promising 3-year-old turf specialist Bottas.

Although Explora finished second in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies and won the Grade 3 Honeybee earlier this season, both races at 1 1/16 miles, she has become a force in the filly and mare sprint division following her extremely impressive, five-length victory over Percy’s Bar on Saturday at Saratoga in the $500,000 Test Stakes.

Reigning Horse of the Year Sovereignty returned to the scene of some of his most notable performances, including his one-sided victory in the 2025 Travers, while also returning to the top of the handicap division with a convincing 4 3/4-length victory over the filly Nitrogen in Saturday’s Grade 1, $1 million Whitney Stakes at Saratoga.

Trainer Hugh Palmer’s decision to re-route Glacius from a potential start in France to Saturday’s $750,000 Saratoga Derby paid big dividends when the multiple Group 3-placed 3-year-old led from start to finish en route to a 1 1/4-length victory over West End Kid.

John the Beer Man survived a torrid stretch duel, a bumping incident approaching the wire, and a near-10-minute stewards inquiry before ultimately being declared the winner of Sunday’s $300,000 Troy Stakes at Saratoga.

The connections of White Abarrio on Monday announced the retirement of their 2023 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner, which comes just 48 hours after his disappointing seventh-place finish Saturday at Saratoga in the Grade 1 Whitney.