Saturday Driven By Trio Of Grade I Races

Not just anyone could join their club.

You had to possess status, refinement, wealth and charm. Oh, and the real test was, “The ability to drive four horses with grace and skill,” which translated to holding the reigns in one fist–whew, tough.

Founded in 1875, New York's Coaching Club had strict guidelines for membership, which included that you could not be involved in racing of any kind. Interesting that the CC's annual parade was replaced in 1917, the same year America entered The Great War, by a race for 3-year-old fillies at Belmont Park. Hence, the Coaching Club American Oaks was born.

The Grade I affair at Saratoga Race Course that takes place this Saturday isn't the only one scheduled, as three other tracks also host graded stakes. Here's a preview of all the action.

Mage Returns on Loaded Haskell Card

Monmouth Park's massive day includes the GI TVG.com Haskell S., which yielded some buzz on draw day when 'TDN Rising Star' Arabian Knight (Uncle Mo), who has not raced since winning the GIII Southwest S. at Oaklawn Park Jan. 28, was named the 5-2 favorite over GI Kentucky Derby champ Mage (Good Magic) at 3-1. Numerous other storylines exist though. Salute the Stars (Candy Ride {Arg}) arrives off his narrow win in the local prep June 17, the Pegasus S., and 'TDN Rising Star' Tapit Trice (Tapit) will try to duplicate that burst of speed that he exhibited so well back at Keeneland in the GI Toyota Blue Grass S. While California shipper Geaux Rocket Ride (Candy Ride {Arg}) looks to bring his tactical advantage east for Pin Oak Stud and Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella, who saddled Dixie Union (Dixieland Band) to win the 2000 Haskell.

Geaux Rocket Ride with assistant trainer Jose Contreras (right) | Bill Denver/Equi-Photo

Mike Maker, who is known for his strong turf routing program, sends three entries for the GI United Nations S. With over $1.7 million in earnings, Red Knight (Pure Prize) doesn't appear to be slowing down at the age of nine and he easily has the class edge here after winning the GI Man o' War S. May 13 at Belmont Park. Standing in this veteran's way will be Catnip (Kitten's Joy), who has ticked off three wins in a row during this form cycle for trainer Mike Stidham, and Planetario (Brz) (Il Doge {Brz}) for Mandella, who won a distance grass test in the GIII San Juan Capistrano S. June 18 at Santa Anita.

Also carded for Saturday are some intriguing Grade III races. The Matchmaker S. will be another bout between Consumer Spending (More Than Ready) and Surprisingly (Mastery). The former secured second over her rival in the GIII Beaugay S. at Belmont Park May 7 and won the GIII Eatontown S. June 17. In the Monmouth Cup S., were it not for a foot abscess it's possible MGISW Art Collector (Bernardini) would have been the headliner, but instead that honor falls to Proxy (Tapit), who was last seen running eighth in the GI Stephen Foster S. at Ellis Park, as he takes on six others. Last but certainly not least, the Molly Pitcher S. includes defending champion and classy dirt router Search Results (Flatter), who is one of the top older females in the division.

Kentucky Oaks Alums Enjoy Spa Day

The aforementioned GI Coaching Club at Saratoga will feature a number of filly alums from the GI Kentucky Oaks. Both Gambling Girl (Dialed In), who just missed beating Pretty Mischievous (Into Mischief) by a neck in Louisville, and last-out Monomoy Girl S. winner Hoosier Philly (Into Mischief), will serve as the morning-line co-second choices at 5-2. Meanwhile, both Southlawn (Pioneerof the Nile) and 2-1 favorite Wet Paint (Blame), who finished 10th and fourth in the Oaks, respectively, will look to return to their winning ways.

Gambling Girl working at Saratoga on Thursday | Sarah Andrew

Also on the card is a short field of five who assemble on the turf for the GIII Caress S. Roses for Debra (Liam's Map), a gray 4-year-old filly who has only lost once in seven attempts, will look to raise her game in what will be her first graded start for trainer Christophe Clement. She'll square off against a pair of Bill Mott trainees in Poppy Flower (Lea), who won the GIII Intercontinental S. at Belmont Park in early June, and Wakanaka (Ire) (Power {GB}), who drops out of the one-mile GI Just A Game S. where she finished fourth.

Woodbine and Del Mar Sport Grade IIIs

Rounding out the North American graded action, we head north to Toronto for the GIII Ontario Colleen S. where Kelsey Danner trainee Mohawk Trail (Pioneerof the Nile) will try to build on her win in the Alywow S. June 25. Also not to be missed, will be Loyalty (Hard Spun), a 4-year-old dark bay filly from Josie Carroll's shedrow, who is the 9-5 morning-line favorite in the GIII Hendrie S.

Of course, it wouldn't be mid-July without racing at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club. The track north of San Diego opened on Friday and the weekend brings the first graded stakes race in the GII San Clemente S. Over the Jimmy Durante Turf Course, fourteen will go with also-eligible and 'TDN Rising Star' Justique (Justify) available.

Anisette (GB) (Awtaad {Ire}) could be the pick based on her U.S. debut against allowance company May 29 at Santa Anita, while Spicybug (Speightstown) comes in off maiden-breaking and optional claiming wins at The Great Race Place. But don't rule out Glen Hill Farm homebred and Gulfstream invader Ocean Club (Curlin) or Todd Fincher's Flying Connection (Nyquist), who was last seen finishing sixth in the GI Kentucky Oaks.