Woodward Stakes

Trainer Todd Pletcher didn't want to see a repeat of The Whitney Handicap where Commentator held off the late charge of Saint Liam after having an uncontested lead. So the entries consisted of two Pletcher trained "rabbits" to soften up the front running Commentator. The plan worked to perfection as Saint Liam flew past Commentator in the stretch and gained an easy win in The Woodward. Saint Liam will train up to The Breeders' Cup Classic while Commentator's connections appear to be favoring The Breeders' Cup Sprint.

The Gazelle

 Off a win in the seven-furlong Test Stakes the California based Leave Me Alone was sent off as an odds on favorite in The nine furlong Gazelle Stakes. The extra two furlongs made all the difference as Live Oak Plantation's In The Gold blew by the favorite in midstretch and posted an easy two-length victory. In The Gold was ridden by Gary Stevens and trained by Nick Zito who indicated if the filly runs in The Breeders' Cup she will probably train up to it. 

The Man o'War

In another race with Breeders' Cup implications, last year's Turf winner Better Talk Now looked to gain a Grade One win and a race over the track in The Man o'War. To insure an honest pace for his late running Better Talk Now, his trainer H Graham Motion entered the speedy Shake The Bank. Although the final result was a win for Better Talk Now the rabbit tactic did not seem to be as much as a factor as in The Woodward. Shake The Bank loped along well ahead of the field and near the finish expected runners King's Drama (center) and Relaxed Gesture (inside) began their run. At the wire it was Better Talk Now by a quarter of a length.

The Garden City Breeders' Cup

Irish invader Luas Lane made her North American debut an exciting one. In mid stretch, as she was passing pacesetter My Typhoon they ran smack into a flock of geese. Feathers flew but didn't distract Luas Lane from her mission and she gained a length and a half victory in the four horse field. Despite the geese Luas Lane's winning time was only two-fifths of a second off the course record.

Flanders Fields gains Maiden Win

With Jerry Bailey in the irons, two-year-old Flanders Fields coasted to an easy six plus length win in a maiden victory. The beautifully bred (A.P. Indy - Flanders, by Seeking The Gold) colt was odds on and  looks to be a factor as the  juvenile races get longer.