BloodHorse.com

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Twitter: @J_Keelerman In many ways, Saturday's $1 million Haskell (G1) at Monmouth Park is shaping up as a rematch of the Preakness (G1). Three of the top four finishers from the Triple Crown's second jewel will battle over 1 1/8 miles in the Haskell. The group includes Preakness winner #2 Journalism ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Twitter: @J_Keelerman The weather could potentially have an impact on two graded stakes taking place over the Saratoga turf course this Saturday. There's potential for rain at Saratoga this week, so we'll keep in mind the possibility that the graded stakes will take place over less-than-firm ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Twitter: @J_Keelerman Racing fans are in for a treat this week. Saratoga is hosting a four-day July 4th Racing Festival from Thursday through Sunday. No fewer than 10 stakes races are on the agenda, including the Belmont Derby (G1) and Belmont Oaks (G1). Let's handicap both races: Friday: Belmont ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Twitter: @J_Keelerman A stellar field has turned out to contest Saturday's $1 million Stephen Foster (G1) at Churchill Downs. It might be the best group of horses assembled for any U.S. horse race so far this year. Six of the seven entrants are millionaires. The total earnings of the entire field stands ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Twitter: @J_Keelerman One of my favorite races in between the Triple Crown and summer racing at Saratoga and Del Mar is the $500,000 Ohio Derby (G3) at Thistledown. The 1 1/8-mile race typically draws a quality field with at least one Triple Crown veteran in the entries, and Saturday's renewal is ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Twitter: @J_Keelerman Although it's not a graded stakes, Saturday's $175,000 Monomoy Girl S. at Churchill Downs might just be the best race of the weekend. The six-horse field is packed with talent. The entrants include: #1 Princess Aliyah (15-1), winner of the Valley Of The Vapors S. at Oaklawn ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Twitter: @J_Keelerman A stellar renewal of the Belmont Stakes (G1) is taking place over a shortened 1 1/4-mile distance at Saratoga this Saturday. The final leg of the Triple Crown features a rematch between the top three finishers in the Kentucky Derby (G1): #2 Sovereignty (2-1), #7 Journalism (8-5), ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Twitter: @J_Keelerman If the quality of horses entered in Saturday's $275,000 Blame (G3) at Churchill Downs is any indication, the 1 1/8-mile dirt race for older horses will soon be upgraded to Grade 2 status. Frankly, there have been Grade 1 races with lesser fields than the stellar group slated to ...