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WOODWARD S. (G1), 10TH-SAR, $500,000, 3YO/UP, 1 1/8M, 5:45 P.M. EDT, 8-30

PP HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY WT
1 A. P. ARROW PLETCHER TODD A VELASQUEZ CORNE 126
2 LOOSE LEAF MCPEEK KENNETH G COA E M 126
3 PAST THE POINT HARTY EOIN PRADO E S 126
4 DIVINE PARK MCLAUGHLIN KIARAN P GARCIA A 126
5 CURLIN ASMUSSEN STEVEN M ALBARADO R J 126
6 DR. D. F. C. UBILLO RODRIGO A ARBOLEDA ALDO 126
7 OUT OF CONTROL (BRZ) FRANKEL ROBERT J VELAZQUEZ J R 126
8 WANDERIN BOY ZITO NICHOLAS P LEPAROUX JULIEN 126

All eyes will be on Saratoga on Saturday, as the mighty CURLIN (Smart Strike) headlines the cast in the $500,000 Woodward S. (G1). The Steve Asmussen charge is nothing short of brilliant when he's on his game, which is often, and he's won his last five dirt races by a nearly 19 combined lengths -- impressive considering four of those were in Grade/Group 1 tilts. The chestnut is sure to be a massive favorite in this race and rightfully so, as he looks untouchable at equal weights. Robby Albarado, who lost a heartbreaker in the Travers S. (G1) last weekend, will look for a sort of redemption in here.

Met Mile S. (G1) victor DIVINE PARK (Chester House) has been a brilliant one-turn runner for Kiaran McLaughlin and will likely be the second choice at post time in this fray. The talented four-year-old responded well from a pair of awful outings to win three straight, capped by the Met. The colt is fast and has earned superb BRIS Speed rating of 106, 109 and 110 in his last trio of tests, so he's the most logical obstacle standing in front of the favorite.

Talented turf performer OUT OF CONTROL (Brz) (Vettori) will attempt to handle the surface switch for Bobby Frankel in here, and it would be unwise to question the Hall of Fame conditioner's motives in here. The five-year-old finished a big second when last seen in the Manhattan H. (G1) on the lawn at Belmont and has trained in superb fashion over the Oklahoma in advance of this Herculean test. We respect Frankel and will include the bay beneath John Velazquez.

Speed merchant WANDERIN BOY (Seeking the Gold) has put in some monster efforts over this surface and had a nice prep win leading up to this event, and we've seen Nick Zito knock off more than one champion in the Empire State. The seven-year-old chestnut is likely to be the early leader in this field and could get really brave if left alone on the front under Julien Leparoux.

PAST THE POINT (Indian Charlie) earned a 106 BRIS Speed number in his prep win for this and hails from the hot Eoin Harty barn. This bay showed a lot of promise as a sophomore and just might be coming into his peak at four, but this is a tough spot for him to earn his first graded win. Edgar Prado will ride. LOOSE LEAF (Notebook) loves this oval and was dead game to win his recent allowance race for Ken McPeek, indicating that he could get a small piece if a speed duel occurs.

A. P. ARROW (A.P. Indy) loves a route of ground but showed little in the Whitney H. (G1) last out, and we can't suggest his inclusion off of that dismal performance. DR. D. F. C. (Personal Flag) defeated New York-bred foes in his tune up for this and would need something exponentially better than he has shown from 19 career outings to get a call in this one.

1st-CURLIN
2nd-DIVINE PARK
3rd-OUT OF CONTROL (Brz)

FOREGO S. (G1), 9TH-SAR, $250,000, 3YO/UP, 7F, 5:13 P.M. EDT, 8-30

PP HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY WT
1 FIRST DEFENCE FRANKEL ROBERT J HILL C 119
2 FOREFATHERS MOTT WILLIAM I PRADO E S 117
3 ETERNAL STAR TROMBETTA MICHAEL J VELAZQUEZ J R 117
4 BOLD START MCPEEK KENNETH G ALBARADO R J 117
5 FEROCIOUS FIRES DUTROW ANTHONY W VELASQUEZ CORNE 117
6 PREMIUM WINE DUTROW ANTHONY W LEPAROUX JULIEN 117
7 REAL ESTATE LEVINE BRUCE COA E M 117
8 LUCKY ISLAND (ARG) MCLAUGHLIN KIARAN P GARCIA A 121
9 GREELEY'S CONQUEST THOMAS GARY A CHAVEZ J F 117
10 TASTEYVILLE KELLY PATRICK J LUZZI M J 117

A wide-open field of 10 has been assembled to contest Saturday's $250,000 Forego S. (G1) at Saratoga on Saturday. We could go a number of different ways in this group but will side with the well-bred REAL ESTATE (High Yield) to upset this field for Bruce Levine. The lightly-raced four-year-old earned a strong tally in an allowance/optional claiming test over this surface and has posted a trio of solid drills in the interim, signaling his readiness for this event. A half-brother to Grade 1 sprinters Madcap Escapade (Hennessy) and Dubai Escapade (Awesome Again), Real Estate has been plagued with injuries throughout his brief career but has seemingly put them behind him for the time being. The four-year-old should be into the race from the opening bell under Eibar Coa.

LUCKY ISLAND (Arg) (Lucky Roberto) rolled to four consecutive impressive wins for Kiaran McLaughlin and is the deserved favorite in this field. The ultra-talented dark bay toyed with his foes in the Tom Fool H. (G2) and Bold Ruler H. (G3) in his last pair, but it's often that horses who shine at Belmont don't handle the Saratoga surface with similar ease. The colt will be a major factor with anything resembling his recent form beneath Alan Garcia.

FIRST DEFENCE (Unbridled's Song) ran his best race to date when a game second in last year's King's Bishop S. (G1) at this venue, and the talented four-year-old had a nice prep when second in the Alfred G. Vanderbilt H. (G2) last out for Bobby Frankel. The bay Kentucky-bred is plenty quick from the gate, which he'll have to be from the rail, and his local form intrigues us enough to give him a big threat at a top-three finish under Channing Hill.

FEROCIOUS FIRES (Lite the Fuse) is a remarkable eight-for-eight on the dirt and will attempt to bag his fifth race at Saratoga for Tony Dutrow. The five-year-old chestnut has beat up mostly on state-bred company but has impressed nonetheless, and his local mark must be respected. The New York-bred is likely to be a square price on this day and it wouldn't be a major shock if he was in the running very late. Dutrow's other runner, PREMIUM WINE (Prime Timber), is incredibly consistent in winning or placing in 12 of 14 lifetime tries, including two wins from as many starts over this track. The New York-bred bay earned a whopping 112 BRIS Late Pace figure for his last-out win at Saratoga going today's distance, and he should have ample speed at which to run in the lane.

Horses like GREELEY'S CONQUEST (Mr. Greeley) often puzzle handicappers, as this one has exploded to 106 and 104 BRIS Speed numbers in his last pair following a dozen races that never suggested that ability. The Gary Thomas pupil is facing a solid group from top to bottom in here and would need even further improvement to challenge these, but anything is possible with an improving sort. BOLD START (Jump Start) has never been better for Ken McPeek and had a nice tightener in a listed event at this venue last out, so we consider the dark bay yet another who could be around at the finish.

FOREFATHERS (Gone West) crushed allowance foes when last seen at Belmont and will make his Saratoga debut in here for Bill Mott. The well-bred bay is too much for allowance foes but is a cut below stakes company, making him hard to back for anything less than an exotics filler. ETERNAL STAR (Five Star Day) has racked up wins in five of his last six for Michael Trombetta, including a game win over this oval in his latest try. The four-year-old chestnut has never faced graded foes and is likely to be confronted early and often in here, so the best suggestion we have is to keep him underneath in the gimmicks.

TASTEYVILLE (With Approval) was in deep in the Whitney H. (G1) last out and has never hit the board in three tries at the Spa, so it's hard to back the Pat Kelly trainee. The gelded gray has a wealth of ability and speed, and is well drawn on the outside, but it's hard to back a horse who's proven to be basically useless over the surface.

1st-REAL ESTATE
2nd-LUCKY ISLAND (Arg)
3rd-FIRST DEFENCE

KENT S. (G3), 8TH-DEL, $500,000, 3YO, 1 1/8MT, 3:54 P.M. EDT, 8-30

PP HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY WT
1 DEAL MAKING MOTION H GRAHAM DOMINGUEZ R A 116
2 SAGAPONACK STIDHAM MICHAEL THORNTON T G 116
3 MR MACCOOL FAWKES DAVID CARABALLO J C 118
4 LUCK MONEY (IRE) PLETCHER TODD A SAEZ GABRIEL 118
5 SEEYOUINTHECITY CAPUANO DALE NO RIDER 116
6 EL ALEMAN SEGLIN LUIS E ROCCO J S JR 116
7 ADRIANO MOTT WILLIAM I DESORMEAUX K J 116
8 ABLAZE WITH SPIRIT ASMUSSEN STEVEN M BRIDGMOHAN S X 116
9 ROMAN TIGER MANNING DENNIS J NO RIDER 116
10 LEMON CREAM PIE WALSH THOMAS M NO RIDER 116
11 WESLEY HENNIG MARK CASTELLANO J J 120

Eleven sophomores will line up in Saturday's $500,000 Kent S. (G3) over the Delaware Park lawn. This lucrative event brought a few big names to test the waters in here, but we'll side with a lesser known three-year-old who appears to be the goods.

LUCK MONEY (Ire) (Indian Ridge) made his U.S. debut for trainer Todd Pletcher in the Majestic Light S. at Saratoga and came home a smart winner, and we'll tab the dark bay for further improvement and a win in this well-matched field. Third at Royal Ascot in the Coventry S. (Eng-G2) behind superstar Henrythenavigator (Kingmambo) as a juvenile, the import faced some of the best Europe had to offer as a freshman and seems poised for a strong campaign on American soil. The colt earned superb BRIS E1 and E2 Pace figures last out and will be tough to reel in under Gabriel Saez if he handles the extra ninth furlong.

Lane's End S. (G2) hero ADRIANO (A.P. Indy) endured a nightmare trip in the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame S. (G2) at Saratoga most recently and could easily bounce back in here for Bill Mott. The talented colt has kept top-notch company for much of his career and has excellent tactical footing, which should come in handy over this quirky turf course. Kent Desormeaux has the call atop the chestnut.

Hall of Fame victor WESLEY (El Prado [Ire]) closed well from last to earn his first stakes win for Mark Hennig last out, and the improving gray is a threat to win right back under Javier Castellano. Perfect in two efforts on the lawn, the well-meant sophomore is bred to run all day and should have no trouble negotiating the nine panels in here.

DEAL MAKING (Empire Maker) finished a close third in the Hall of Fame in his graded debut for Graham Motion and is well drawn on the rail on this occasion. The talented gelding has never run a bad one in posting three wins prior to the Hall of Fame, and returns to the venue that saw him capture the Stanton S. on July 1. The well-bred dark bay looks logical against these.

SEEYOUINTHECITY (Slew City Slew) has compiled three wins from his last three starts on the weeds, by a combined 10 1/4 lengths, and he rates a top three chance if he can handle the rise in class. Conditioned by Dale Capuano, the bay Maryland-bred would likely need a clear early lead to optimize his chances, and we think it's possible that we haven't seen the colt's best. We've always had an eye on SAGAPONACK (Hussonet) and he hails from a solid turf family, so we'll give him a chance to enhance the exotics in his second turf outing. Trained by the crafty Michael Stidham, we like the fact that this one has been pointed to this event and will use him in our vertical plays

ABLAZE WITH SPIRIT (American Spirit) finished a useful third in the American Derby (G2) over the soft turf at Arlington in his latest appearance and has stayed consistent throughout the year since being transferred to the Steve Asmussen barn. The Texas-bred has never run fast enough to top a field of this stature, but something slightly better than his last could find him attaining a minor award at a square price. Jersey Derby star MR MACCOOL (Giant's Causeway) has never been defeated on the lawn from three outings and is far from a throw-out against this group. Note that he is cross-entered to Sunday's Saranac S. (G3) at Saratoga.

EL ALEMAN (Point Given) rallied for third at Ellis Park most recently at 58-1 and has put in good tries in his last two turf outings for Luis Seglin. With that said, we can't endorse the likely longshot. ROMAN TIGER (Tiger Ridge) rallied into a dawdling pace in the Jersey Derby to be third for Dennis Manning, but the improving colt would be a shock to factor with these at this stage of his career. We think that the Florida-bred has a nice future, though.

The lone win of the 10-race career of LEMON CREAM PIE (Lemon Drop Kid) came over good turf at Calder, and the bay has yet to win in three subsequent turf tries. We'll pass.

1st-LUCK MONEY (Ire)
2nd-ADRIANO
3rd-WESLEY

PALOMAR H. (G2), 9TH-DMR, $200,000, 3YO/UP, F/M, 1 1/16MT, 6:00 P.M. PDT, 8-30

PP HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY WT
1 ZARDANA (BRZ) MCANALLY RONALD GRYDER A T 115
2 LIVE LIFE (FR) POWELL LEONARD VALDIVIA J JR 113
3 RANSOM CAPTIVE HOLLENDORFER JERRY BAZE M C 114
4 KRIS' SIS BALTAS RICHARD BEJARANO R 115
5 VACARE CLEMENT CHRISTOPHE NAKATANI C S 119
6 FOREST MELODY CAPESTRO PAULA S BAZE T C 114
7 GOTTA HAVE HER SAHADI JENINE MIGLIORE R 115
8 MOUJANE BECERRA RAFAEL FLORES D R 114
9 AINAMAA CECIL B D A ESPINOZA V 113
10 AMERICA'S FRIEND ABRAMS BARRY SOLIS A 114
11 GULA GOLD HOLLENDORFER JERRY ROSARIO JOEL 113

Classy Grade 1 queen VACARE (Lear Fan) is the marquee attraction of the 11 entered in the grassy, $200,000 Palomar H. (G2) at Del Mar on Saturday. The Christophe Clement charge has been a cut below her brilliant self in both tries in 2008, but she had excuses for both and faces infinitely softer foes in here. The bay five-year-old was unsuccessful in her latest attempt out west when third in last year's Gamely H. (G1), but that was a stellar group compared to this. The Kentucky-bred should be within range throughout under Corey Nakatani while toting 119 pounds.

KRIS' SIS (Forestry) is an honest performer if nothing else and has bagged a pair of wins over this sod in four tries, so we'll give the Richard Baltas charge a chance to complete the exacta. The dark bay returned from a short break with a close fourth in her prep for this, and even slight improvement gives her a chance at a nice payday under the guidance of Rafael Bejarano.

AMERICA'S FRIEND (Unusual Heat) is a neck and nose away from five straight wins for Barry Abrams, and the chestnut will be making her fourth start of this meet in here. The filly didn't top the deepest field in her prior endeavor, an easy score in the Solana Beach H., but the way she did it was impressive and she could surely finish in the top three on this occasion.

RANSOM CAPTIVE (Red Ransom) ranks second in BRIS Prime Power (150.5) and exits the John C. Mabee H. (G1) last out for smart conditioner Jerry Hollendorfer. The bay lass has acclimated nicely to racing in the United States this campaign and could get a small piece with a clean trip. AINAMAA (Lemon Drop Kid) is a threat simply because she's a winner over this oval in her last start for trainer Ben Cecil. The dark bay filly had been winless in four tries previously in 2008, with only one third to her credit, but it's possible that the Del Mar lawn woke her up. The Kentucky-bred isn't the worst exotics stab at big odds.

Likely pacesetter FOREST MELODY (Forest Camp) appears to want more ground than 1 1/16 miles and was a questionable third to Ainamaa over this oval in preparation for this, so we'll look elsewhere in this group. GOTTA HAVE HER (Royal Academy) has looked good on various occasions but lacks consistency for Jenine Sahadi and is a tough call. The four-year-old took a bunch of money in the Beverly Hills H. (G2) when last seen, but did little to impress when 10th in that one. The cut back in trip could aid the bay.

MOUJANE (Alphabet Soup) is in excellent form but does her best work on the front, which could hurt the chestnut with ample speed drawn directly inside of her. The four-year-old has improved greatly since arriving in the Rafael Becerra barn and is bred to run at least this far, but the set-up in here seems to be against her from post 8. ZARDANA (Brz) (Crimson Tide) rated for the first time in her last, and the new tactic fit like a glove as she rolled home late at nearly 44-1. The talented bay could have turned the corner for Ron McAnally, or she simply ran the race of her life. We're not completely sure what to think.

LIVE LIFE (Fr) (Linamix) hasn't won since May of 2006 and we're not impressed with her form since then.

GULA GOLD (Mula Gula) is on the also-eligible list, but it's hard to back the allowance type if she draws in.

1st-VACARE
2nd-KRIS' SIS
3rd-AMERICA'S FRIEND

RED BANK S. (G3), 9TH-MTH, $150,000, 3YO/UP, 1MT, 4:52 P.M. EDT, 8-30

PP HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY WT
1 SHOPTON LANE LEVINE BRUCE LEZCANO JOSE 116
2 JOHN'S PIC COSTA FRANK MADRID MARIO 116
3 BRILLIANT SON MCLAUGHLIN KIARAN P BRAVO J 123
4 FAGEDABOUDIT SAL CARVAJAL LUIS JR FRAGOSO P 118
5 BUFFALO MAN GAMBOLATI CAM MARQUEZ C H JR 116
6 ICY ATLANTIC PLETCHER TODD A BRAVO J 116
7 HOTSTUFANTHENSOME POMPAY TERRI TRUJILLO E 116
8 WHEELS UP AT NOON FOUT P DOUGLAS CASTRO E 118
9 GIANT WRECKER DUTROW ANTHONY W LEZCANO JOSE 116

A collection of grizzled veterans and relatively fresh faces will meet in Saturday's $150,000 Red Bank S. (G3), the last graded turf stakes of the Monmouth meeting, though not the last significant race of its kind should Big Brown (Boundary) appear in the newly created Monmouth Turf S. on September 13. Our selection for the Red Bank is WHEELS UP AT NOON (Outflanker), the four-year-old Doug Fout trainee who has captured the Eight Thirty S. and Caesar Rodney S. in his two starts this season at Delaware Park.

Though unplaced in his two previous graded attempts at odds of 90-1 and 34-1, respectively, Wheels Up At Noon is riding a three-race winning streak and has performed well against graded quality company in the past. He was beaten less than three lengths by subsequent multiple Grade 2 winner Red Giant (Giant's Causeway) over this course last year, finished three lengths behind Nobiz Like Showbiz in the Kent S. (G3) at Delaware, and last out defeated veteran Grade 2 winner Silver Tree (Hennessy), who returned to capture the Oceanport S. (G3) over the Monmouth lawn in his next start. We'll side with relative youth and solid current form in this one-mile contest.

GIANT WRECKER (Giant's Causeway) is not very consistent about reaching the winner's circle, having last won in February 2007. However, after shaking off some of the rust accumulated from a long layoff in the July 5 Da Hoss S., he again showed his fondness for the Monmouth turf with a near wire-to-wire score in the Oceanport, falling short to Silver Tree by a neck. His mark on the local sod is 5-3-1-0, and we think he can reproduce that form here.

HOTSTUFANTHENSOME (Awesome Again), runner-up in this race two years ago behind eventual champion Miesque's Approval, has rebounded of late after falling into the claiming ranks earlier this year. His near 10-1 placing in the Oceanport, where he was a half-length third, was his best race in some time against a decent field and he earned a strong 101 BRIS Late Pace figure, evidence he could put in a strong rally with the right set-up.

ICY ATLANTIC (Stormy Atlantic) won this race by a neck a year ago, but the seven-year-old appears to have lost a step since that victory. He's been off since a third-place effort in the Elkwood S. on May 24, which did not attract a stellar group. FAGEDABOUTIT SAL (Yarrow Brae) led gate-to-wire in the Bob Harding S. at 39-1 two back in his only start on grass. He might be dangerous again if allowed an easy lead, but there appears to be enough other pace elements to make that somewhat unlikely. BUFFALO MAN (El Prado [Ire]) got his turf career off to a good start last winter in Florida, culminating with a win in the Appleton H. (G3), but his form since then has been rather unimpressive. He was a non-threatening fifth in the Oceanport.

JOHN'S PIC (Awad) is the least attractive of those likely to start on grass with several minor awards in turf sprints being his only selling point. Main-track-only candidate SHOPTON LANE (Quiet American) probably advances to the top of the list should this race be transferred to the dirt as he has good speed and plenty of class and staying power to prevail. The other main-track-only, BRILLIANT SON (Stormin Fever), was stakes-placed in his seasonal debut at Saratoga and twice earned triple-digit BRIS Speed ratings last year.

1st-WHEELS UP AT NOON
2nd-GIANT WRECKER
3rd-HOTSTUFANTHENSOME