Weekend Stakes Rundown: Pacific Classic Day

Each week BloodHorse.com looks forward to the weekend's biggest races. Consider this your weekly guide to the best stakes races in North America. This week we have a pair of grade 1 races on Del Mar's biggest weekend, the Alabama (G1) at Saratoga Race Course, and the third leg of the Canadian Triple Crown. Races are listed in chronological order (all times Eastern) and full previews can be found through the link for each race.

Saturday, Aug. 19

4:47 p.m.—$175,000 Play the King Stakes (G2T) at Woodbine

Tower of Texas, who finished second in last year's Play the King, will look to secure his second grade 2 win of the year, following a score in the Connaught Cup Stakes at Woodbine June 3. Tower of Texas is out of 2015 Canadian Broodmare of the Year Rare Opportunity, and was a finalist for the Sovereign Award for 2016 champion male sprinter.

Entries: Play the King S. (G2T)

Woodbine, Saturday, August 19, 2017, Race 8

• Grade IIT
• 7f
• Turf
• $175,000
• 3 yo's & up
• 4:47 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	1We Deer You (FL)	Emma-Jayne Wilson	117	Michael J. Trombetta	20/1
2	2Tombelaine (KY)	Alan Garcia	117	Chad C. Brown	7/2
3	3Dowse's Beach (NY)	Rafael Manuel Hernandez	117	Brad H. Cox	6/1
4	4Glenville Gardens (KY)	Gary Boulanger	121	Sid C. Attard	12/1
5	5Tower of Texas (ON)	Eurico Rosa Da Silva	123	Roger L. Attfield	2/1
6	6Calgary Cat (ON)	Luis Contreras	121	Kevin Attard	3/1
7	7Conquest Panthera (KY)	Patrick Husbands	117	Mark E. Casse	10/1
8	8Hootenanny (KY)	Jesse M. Campbell	117	Wesley A. Ward	15/1

5:02 p.m.—$300,000 Lake Placid Stakes (G2T) at Saratoga Race Course

For Proctor's Ledge victory would be another step up after she closed to win the July 21 Lake George Stakes (G3T) on Saratoga's opening day. The win was the most significant yet for Patricia Moseley's daughter of Ghostzapper , after she finished third, fourth, and second in the Appalachian Stakes Presented by Japan Racing Association, Edgewood Stakes Presented by Forcht Bank, and Regret Stakes—all grade 3 events.

Entries: Lake Placid S. (G2T)

Saratoga Race Course, Saturday, August 19, 2017, Race 8

• Grade IIT
• 1 1/8m
• Turf
• $300,000
• 3 yo Fillies
• 5:02 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	1Coasted (KY)	Jose L. Ortiz	118	Leah Gyarmati	8/1
2	2Party Boat (KY)	Joel Rosario	118	H. Graham Motion	4/1
3	3La Coronel (KY)	Florent Geroux	122	Mark E. Casse	8/5
4	4Proctor's Ledge (KY)	Javier Castellano	120	Brendan P. Walsh	5/2
5	5Berned (KY)	Rajiv Maragh	114	H. Graham Motion	15/1
6	6Uni (GB)	Irad Ortiz, Jr.	118	Chad C. Brown	3/1

5:40 p.m.—$600,000 Alabama Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course

Salty's main source of angst, nemesis Abel Tasman, is sitting this dance out. After she suffered three straight defeats at the hands of multiple grade 1 winner Abel Tasman, Salty has a chance to snag a top-level score for herself in the Alabama, provided she can turn back the wall of determined distaffers also looking to take advantage of the Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner's absence.

Entries: Alabama S. (G1)

Saratoga Race Course, Saturday, August 19, 2017, Race 9

• Grade I
• 1 1/4m
• Dirt
• $600,000
• 3 yo Fillies
• 5:40 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	1New Money Honey (KY)	Javier Castellano	121	Chad C. Brown	6/1
2	2Holy Helena (ON)	John R. Velazquez	121	James A. Jerkens	4/1
3	3It Tiz Well (KY)	Drayden Van Dyke	121	Jerry Hollendorfer	12/1
4	4Lockdown (KY)	Manuel Franco	121	William I. Mott	5/1
5	5Unchained Melody (KY)	Joel Rosario	121	Brian A. Lynch	3/1
6	6Salty (KY)	Tyler Gaffalione	121	Mark E. Casse	9/2
7	7Elate (KY)	Jose L. Ortiz	121	William I. Mott	6/1
8	8Mopotism (KY)	Florent Geroux	121	Doug F. O'Neill	20/1
9	9Actress (KY)	Irad Ortiz, Jr.	121	Jason Servis	15/1

5:49 p.m.—$100,000 Violet Stakes (G3T) at Monmouth Park

Pricedtoperfection, the only graded winner in the field, will look to secure her first victory since the Sweetest Chant Stakes (G3T) at Gulfstream Park in January of 2016. The Temple City  filly is winless in six starts since, but has never finished worse than fourth during that stretch, including a trio of stakes placings.

Entries: Violet S. (G3T)

Monmouth Park, Saturday, August 19, 2017, Race 11

• Grade IIIT
• 1 1/8m
• Turf
• $100,000
• 3 yo's & up Fillies and Mares
• 5:45 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	1Always Thinking (KY)	Albin Jimenez	116	Thomas Albertrani	10/1
2	2Light Up Our World (IRE)	Daniel Centeno	116	Arnaud Delacour	5/2
3	3Gianna's Dream (OK)	Antonio A. Gallardo	116	Michael J. Maker	7/2
4	4Tricky Escape (KY)	Christopher P. DeCarlo	116	Lynn A. Ashby	6/1
5	5Arraign (KY)	Edwin Gonzalez	116	Michael R. Matz	6/1
6	6Beauly (GB)	Declan Cannon	120	Brendan P. Walsh	4/1
7	7Cayman Croc (KY)	Nik Juarez	116	Kelly J. Breen	8/1
8	8Pricedtoperfection (KY)	Nik Juarez	116	H. Graham Motion	3/1
9	9Camille Claudel (KY)	UNKNOWN	116	Francis Abbott, III	8/1

7:30 p.m.—$150,000 Canadian Derby at Northlands Park

Defending his home turf is Riversedge Racing Stables' Trooper John. The son of Colonel John is riding a five-race win streak, including a 9 1/2-length blowout last time out in the Count Lathum Handicap at Northlands Park.

Entries: Canadian Derby (G3)

Northlands Park, Saturday, August 19, 2017, Race 11

• Grade III
• 1 3/8m
• Dirt
• $150,000
• 3 yo
• 5:30 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	1Captain Will (AB)	Shamaree Muir	122	George Ron Scott	15/1
2	2Trooper John (PA)	Keishan Balgobin	122	Tim Rycroft	8/5
3	3Big Kaz (AB)	Scott Sterr	122	Tom Rycroft	20/1
4	4Chief Know It All (KY)	Rico W. Walcott	122	Robertino Diodoro	2/1
5	5Double Bear (ON)	Dane Nelson	122	Rodney J. Cone	12/1
6	6Aqua Frio (KY)	Rigo Sarmiento	122	Monica Russell	3/1
7	7Dublin Day (KY)	Rey Williams	122	Robbin Martens	20/1
8	8Alberta Strong (KY)	Damario Bynoe	122	Craig Robert Smith	20/1

8 p.m.—$250,000 Del Mar Handicap (G2T) at Del Mar

Trainer Phil D'Amato has three entrants—including last-out Eddie Read Stakes (G2T) winner Hunt—but one has particularly shown an affinity for the Del Mar grass during his 44-race career. Michael House's Big John B is the only runner in a 13-horse field that has multiple wins on the Del Mar turf. The two-time winner of the 1 3/8-mile Del Mar Handicap (2014 and 2015) has three wins overall from four starts on the lawn at the seaside racetrack.

Entries: Del Mar H. Presented by The Japan Racing Association (G2T)

Del Mar, Saturday, August 19, 2017, Race 7

• Grade IIT
• 1 3/8m
• Turf
• $250,000
• 3 yo's & up
• 5:13 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	1Liam the Charmer (KY)	Victor Espinoza	116	Michael W. McCarthy	12/1
2	2Inordinate (KY)	Rafael Bejarano	118	Richard Baltas	8/1
3	3Big John B (FL)	Corey S. Nakatani	118	Philip D'Amato	12/1
4	4Editore (BRZ)	Tiago Josue Pereira	115	Paulo H. Lobo	30/1
5	5Itsinthepost (FR)	Tyler Baze	122	Jeff Mullins	4/1
6	6Monster Bea (KY)	Joseph Talamo	116	Mark E. Casse	20/1
7	7Flamboyant (FR)	Brice Blanc	118	Patrick Gallagher	15/1
8	8Ashleyluvssugar (CA)	Gary L. Stevens	123	Peter Eurton	7/2
9	9He Will (CA)	Mike E. Smith	115	Jerry Hollendorfer	12/1
10	10Up With the Birds (ON)	Jamie Theriot	117	Philip D'Amato	20/1
11	11Hunt (IRE)	Flavien Prat	122	Philip D'Amato	3/1
12	12Mr. Roary (KY)	Santiago Gonzalez	117	George Papaprodromou	12/1
13	13Prime Attraction (KY)	Stewart Elliott	115	James M. Cassidy	20/1

8:30 p.m.—$1 million Pacific Classic (G1) at Del Mar

The only one capable of answering whether Arrogate is still the dominant force of the handicap ranks is the gray beast himself. If he can put himself back on form against seven others when he breaks from the outside post at Del Mar less than a month after the worst race of his life in the TVG San Diego Handicap (G2), hindsight could view his stunning setback as a blip that exposed him as mortal, but not lesser.

Entries: $1 Million TVG Pacific Classic S. (G1)

Del Mar, Saturday, August 19, 2017, Race 8

• Grade I
• 1 1/4m
• Dirt
• $1,000,000
• 3 yo's & up
• 5:45 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	1Royal Albert Hall (GB)	Corey S. Nakatani	124	Kristin Mulhall	30/1
2	2Collected (KY)	Martin Garcia	124	Bob Baffert	5/2
3	3Accelerate (KY)	Victor Espinoza	124	John W. Sadler	3/1
4	4Sorry Erik (KY)	Kent J. Desormeaux	118	J. Keith Desormeaux	30/1
5	5Hard Aces (KY)	Santiago Gonzalez	124	John W. Sadler	20/1
6	6Donworth (KY)	Mario Gutierrez	124	Doug F. O'Neill	15/1
7	7Curlin Road (KY)	Flavien Prat	124	Doug F. O'Neill	20/1
8	8Arrogate (KY)	Mike E. Smith	124	Bob Baffert	1/1

9:30 p.m.—$300,000 Del Mar Oaks (G1T) at Del Mar

The San Clemente Handicap (G2T) is the logical prep race for the Del Mar Oaks practically every year, but only one horse this century (Evening Jewel in 2010) has won both. Slam Dunk Racing's San Clemente winner Madam Dancealot will look to complete the rare double, a year after another Richard Baltas trainee, Mokat, failed to do so.

Entries: Del Mar Oaks Presented by The Jockey Club (G1T)

Del Mar, Saturday, August 19, 2017, Race 10

• Grade IT
• 1 1/8m
• Turf
• $300,000
• 3 yo Fillies
• 6:45 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	1Kenda (KY)	Tyler Baze	122	Philip D'Amato	20/1
2	2Madam Dancealot (IRE)	Jamie Theriot	122	Richard Baltas	9/2
3	3Blame It On Alphie (KY)	Victor Espinoza	122	Richard E. Mandella	20/1
98	4Pistol Packin Rose (KY)	SCRATCHED	0	UNKNOWN	-
4	5Con Te Partiro (KY)	Flavien Prat	122	Wesley A. Ward	7/2
5	6Meadowsweet (KY)	Kent J. Desormeaux	122	Clifford W. Sise, Jr.	12/1
6	7Vexatious (KY)	Rafael Bejarano	122	Neil D. Drysdale	8/1
7	8Kathy's Song (KY)	Gary L. Stevens	122	Richard Baltas	15/1
8	9Storm the Hill (KY)	Santiago Gonzalez	122	Peter Miller	20/1
9	10Dream Dancing (KY)	Julien R. Leparoux	122	Mark E. Casse	6/1
10	11Pacific Wind (KY)	Corey S. Nakatani	122	Peter Eurton	12/1
11	12Beau Recall (IRE)	Joseph Talamo	122	Simon Callaghan	6/1
12	13Tapped (KY)	Mike E. Smith	122	Jerry Hollendorfer	8/1
13	14Bernina Star (KY)	Brice Blanc	122	James M. Cassidy	30/1

Sunday, Aug. 20

3:39 p.m.—$175,000 Sky Classic Stakes (G2T) at Woodbine

Dragon Bay, a 4-year-old Parading gelding, defeated Can'thelpbelieving and Pumpkin Rumble, second and third respectively, in the Nijinsky Stakes (G2T) July 29, and both will return to the Woodbine turf to try to turn the tables.

4:40 p.m.—$75,000 Ellis Park Debutante at Ellis Park

Trainer Kenny McPeek uses the word "special" to describe Normandy Farm's undefeated Sunny Skies, a daughter of champion Animal Kingdom  who won her debut at Keeneland by nine lengths before she took the Debutante Stakes at Churchill Downs by 1 3/4 lengths.

Entries: Ellis Park Debutante S.

Ellis Park, Sunday, August 20, 2017, Race 7

• STK
• 7f
• Dirt
• $75,000
• 2 yo Fillies
• 3:40 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	1Mauk's Tuff (KY)	Rayan Gazader	120	William Mauk	30/1
2	2Flight Queen (TX)	Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.	120	W. Bret Calhoun	10/1
3	3Waki Patriot (KY)	Jon Kenton Court	120	John A. Hancock	8/1
4	4Laudation (KY)	Gabriel Saez	120	Steven M. Asmussen	8/1
5	5Amberspatriot (KY)	C.J. McMahon	120	John A. Hancock	12/1
6	6Noblame (WV)	Chris Landeros	120	Joe Sharp	20/1
7	7Kelly's Humor (KY)	Shaun Bridgmohan	120	Brad H. Cox	12/1
8	8Sunny Skies (KY)	Robby Albarado	122	Kenneth G. McPeek	9/5
9	9Lullingstone (OK)	Calvin H. Borel	118	John A. Hancock	30/1
10	10Crossed (IN)	Marcelino Pedroza	120	Genaro Garcia	30/1
11	11On the Hop (KY)	Joseph Rocco, Jr.	120	Joan Scott	12/1
12	12Upset Brewing (KY)	Corey J. Lanerie	120	William B. Bradley	7/2
13	13My Peeps (KY)	Alonso Quinonez	118	Jack C. Van Berg	30/1

4:47 p.m.—$400,000 Breeders' Stakes at Woodbine

While there won't be a Canadian Triple Crown champion this year, Prince of Wales Stakes winner Cool Catomine will vie for his second jewel of the series. Owned by Jack of Hearts Racing and J.R. Racing Stable, Cool Catomine has not yet raced on the turf, but an Aug. 9 work on the surface showed trainer John Ross that the supplemental entry is a contender.

Entries: Breeders' S.

Woodbine, Sunday, August 20, 2017, Race 8

• STK
• 1 1/2m
• Turf
• $400,000
• 3 yo
• 4:47 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	1Conquest Lemonraid (ON)	Joe Bravo	126	Mark E. Casse	4/1
2	2Channel Maker (ON)	Rafael Manuel Hernandez	126	William I. Mott	5/2
3	3King and His Court (ON)	Gary Boulanger	126	Mark E. Casse	10/1
4	4Lookin At Bravo (ON)	Emma-Jayne Wilson	126	Kevin Attard	20/1
5	5Major Eclipse (ON)	Jesse M. Campbell	126	Roger L. Attfield	15/1
6	6Woodbridge (ON)	Alan Garcia	126	Michael Keogh	15/1
7	7Glencairn (ON)	Jerome Lermyte	126	Roger L. Attfield	20/1
8	8Seeking Albert (ON)	David Moran	126	Michael P. De Paulo	10/1
9	9Final Copy (ON)	Patrick Husbands	126	Roger L. Attfield	3/1
10	10Cool Catomine (ON)	Luis Contreras	126	John A. Ross	6/1

5:10 p.m.—$75,000 Ellis Park Juvenile at Ellis Park

Trainer Kenny McPeek says Ten City "might be one of the best I've ever had my hands on." Following a seven-length debut win at Keeneland in April, the Run Away and Hide  colt defeated eventual Saratoga Special (G2) winner Copper Bullet by 1 1/2 lengths in the June 30 Bashford Manor (G3) at Churchill Downs.

Entries: Ellis Park Juvenile S.

Ellis Park, Sunday, August 20, 2017, Race 8

• STK
• 7f
• Dirt
• $75,000
• 2 yo
• 4:10 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	1Trenton Traveler (FL)	Declan Cannon	118	Mary Lightner	30/1
2	2Undercover Lover (KY)	Marcelino Pedroza	120	Bernard S. Flint	30/1
3	3Orbatron (KY)	Corey J. Lanerie	118	Steven M. Asmussen	12/1
4	4Make Noise (KY)	Jon Kenton Court	120	Jack C. Van Berg	10/1
5	5Big Iron (KY)	Gabriel Saez	120	Bernard S. Flint	8/1
6	6Private Vigilante (KY)	Shaun Bridgmohan	120	Steven M. Asmussen	8/1
7	7Ten City (KY)	Jack Gilligan	122	Kenneth G. McPeek	8/5
8	8Ebben (KY)	Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.	120	Steve Margolis	10/1
9	9Mugrosito (KY)	Sergio Figueroa	120	Marco A. Castaneda	50/1
10	10Holding Fast (VA)	Armando Martinez	118	Kelli Martinez	50/1
11	11Northern Trail (KY)	Channing Hill	120	Jack C. Van Berg	15/1
12	12Dak Attack (KY)	Robby Albarado	120	Dale L. Romans	3/1

8:30 p.m.—$200,000 Del Mar Mile (G2T) at Del Mar

Midnight Storm, who has five wins from six starts on the Del Mar turf, including four graded wins, hasn't raced on grass since a hard-trying third in the Breeders' Cup Mile (G1T) at Santa Anita Park. But late in 2016 and early in 2017, it appeared trainer Phil D'Amato might have a newfound force in the handicap division on the dirt when the son of Pioneerof the Nile  won the Native Diver Stakes (G3) by 7 3/4 lengths and the San Pasqual Stakes (G2) by 1 1/4 lengths.

Entries: Del Mar Mile H. (G2T)

Del Mar, Sunday, August 20, 2017, Race 8

• Grade IIT
• 1m
• Turf
• $200,000
• 3 yo's & up
• 5:33 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	1Vyjack (KY)	Flavien Prat	120	Philip D'Amato	7/2
2	2Om (KY)	Gary L. Stevens	122	Dan L. Hendricks	7/2
3	3Bal a Bali (BRZ)	Mike E. Smith	125	Richard E. Mandella	5/2
4	4Midnight Storm (KY)	Rafael Bejarano	124	Philip D'Amato	2/1
5	5Blackjackcat (KY)	Kent J. Desormeaux	119	Mark Glatt	6/1
6	6Le Ken (ARG)	Drayden Van Dyke	119	Ignacio Correas	15/1