Insights on the American Racing Scene for July 13

4th-BEL, $77K, Alw, NW1X, 3yo/up, f/m, 1m, 3:04 p.m. EDT
Emory A. Hamilton, who has raced homebreds the quality of GI Go for Wand H. heroine Serra Lake (Seattle Slew), MGSW Hungry Island (More Than Ready) and GIII Tempted S. scorer La Reina (A.P. Indy), has another homegrown Shug McGaughey trainee in TEJANA (Curlin">Curlin), who returns in a first-level allowance at Belmont Wednesday. The chestnut romped in her only start to date, a six-furlong dash at Pimlico May 15, and her second dam is the aforementioned La Reina, who is a half to GI Hollywood Derby hero Brahms (Danzig) and is a daughter of Hamilton's champion and MGISW Queena (Mr. Prospector). TJCIS PPs

6th-BEL, $75K, 3yo/up, f/m, 6fT, 4:09 p.m. EDT
Hall of Famer Bill Mott sends out Zayat Stables's colorbearer JOANNIE (Smart Strike) in this debutante heat. Out of the SP Christies Treasure (Belong to Me), she is a half-sister to GIII Old Hat S. victress Sacristy (Pulpit) and cost a pretty penny at the sales, going for $100,000 as a KEESEP yearling, before breezing a furlong in :10 1/5 and bringing $525,000 as a FTFMAR juvenile. Her second dam is a full-sister to MGSW Valid Wager (Valid Appeal), while farther back, this is the family of MGISW Jersey Girl (Belong to Me) and her son, GI Hill 'N' Dale Cigar Mile H. winner Jersey Town (Speightstown). Whisper Hill Farm homebred Tapany (Tapit), who ran a debut third over course and distance for trainer Ralph Nicks May 27, resurfaces on the back of a half-mile drill in :48 3/5 (23/95) here July 3. A half-sister to MGISW and young sire Tizway (Tiznow) and SW & MGSP Ticket to Seattle (Capote), the March foal is out of Bethany, who is herself a half-sister to MGISW Will's Way (Easy Goer) and GISW Willa on the Move (Assert {Ire}). Short Squeeze (Lemon Drop Kid) could also make some noise in this unveiling for Brian Lynch and breeder John D. Gunther. The bay is a half to MGSW Last Gunfighter (First Samurai). TJCIS PPs