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By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Twitter: @J_Keelerman An exciting weekend of racing is on the agenda. In North America alone, 11 graded stakes are slated for Saturday and Sunday. We'll focus our attention on two contests: the Old Dominion Derby (G3) and the Del Mar Futurity (G1). Saturday: Old Dominion Derby (G3) at ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Twitter: @J_Keelerman These days, in the United States, it isn't common to see three-year-olds defeat older horses in Grade 1 races before the Breeders' Cup. With so many rich targets for sophomores on the summer and fall calendar, there isn't much incentive for three-year-olds to step outside their own ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Twitter: @J_Keelerman The feature race at Saratoga this Saturday is the historic $1.25 million Travers (G1), but there are four other Grade 1 stakes on the agenda as well. Travers (G1) At least on paper, the Travers isn't shaping up as a great betting race. Only five horses have entered, and #4 ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Twitter: @J_Keelerman A small but high-quality field is slated to start in Saturday's $600,000 Alabama (G1) at Saratoga. Unlike most dirt stakes for three-year-old fillies, which are held over 1 1/8 miles or less, the Alabama takes place over 1 1/4 miles. Sometimes, the unusually long distance gives ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Twitter: @J_Keelerman The Arlington Million (G1) dates back to 1981 and is fabled as the first Thoroughbred horse race offering a $1 million purse, which it retains to this day. Despite its prestige and lengthy history, the Arlington Million has never been won by a Kentucky Derby (G1) champion. Even ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Twitter: @J_Keelerman Who will prevail in Saturday's $1 million Whitney (G1) at Saratoga? The 1 1/8-mile ''Win and You're In'' qualifier for the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) has drawn a tremendous field with plenty of viable win contenders. A quick pace is expected. Even with #1 Mindframe (5-2) expected ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Twitter: @J_Keelerman The field for Saturday's $500,000 Jim Dandy (G2) at Saratoga is small, with only five horses in the entries. But quality runs deep—very deep—in the 1 1/8-mile contest for three-year-olds. Two of the entrants are Grade 1 winners, including a duel classic winner. Two others are ...

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 ...