SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Wise Dan, the reigning two-time Horse of the Year, will run in the Grade 2, $250,000 Bernard Baruch Handicap at Saratoga on Aug. 30, trainer Charlie LoPresti said Tuesday.

“It’s time to run him,” LoPresti said. “I brought him here to run.”

LoPresti said the only reason he wouldn’t run in the Bernard Baruch is if he thought Wise Dan would be conceding too much weight to a speed horse “that could just steal it and that we have to chase.”

“Unless something goes wrong, he is definitely going to be entered in the Bernard Baruch,” LoPresti said.

DEL MAR, Calif. – By late afternoon on June 28, Ron Beegle was well into what he thought was the finest day of his year.

Beegle was in Orlando to witness his 11-year-old twin daughters, Jolie and Hope, finish first and fifth in the all-around competition at a national gymnastics meet. Hours later at the hotel, Beegle found his way to the pool bar, hoping to watch his 6-year-old horse Majestic Harbor run in the $500,000 Gold Cup at Santa Anita.

The problem was that the bar’s TVs were dedicated to World Cup highlights.

DEL MAR, Calif. – Fed Biz loves the Polytrack at Del Mar. But trainer Bob Baffert would like to add a Grade 1 race to his résumé. And therein lays the dilemma with which Baffert will wrestle over the next few days.

DEL MAR, Calif. – Game On Dude ran one of the best races of his career when capturing last year’s Pacific Classic, and though he’s won just once in six starts since then, he is giving every indication that he will be a formidable presence when he defends his title Sunday in the 24th running of the Grade 1, $1 million Pacific Classic at Del Mar.

Game On Dude has had a strong series of works here this summer, and he completed his preparation with another eye-catching drill Monday, a five-furlong move in 59.60 seconds under Martin Garcia, who will ride him Sunday.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association announced that it will match donations for the Lustgarten Foundation, which funds research for pancreatic cancer, and for paralyzed jockey Michael Straight raised during autograph sessions at Saratoga earlier this month.

“It was inspiring to see how many trainers and jockeys took time out from dizzying schedules during the Saratoga meet to lend their support,” said NYTHA president Rick Violette Jr. “The fans were great too. It’s only natural that NYTHA would step up to do its part.” 

Quarter Horse jockey Raul Valenzuela was summarily suspended by the board of stewards at Ruidoso Downs on Saturday for alleged possession of an electrical device, according to Vince Mares, executive director of the New Mexico State Racing Commission.

Mares said Monday that Valenzuela could be subject to an additional hearing in coming days, pending an ongoing investigation. Valenzuela could face a lengthy suspension for the alleged possession. Mares said the investigation would determine whether Valenzuela would be allowed to keep his jockey’s license.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Woodbine’s Wednesday night card will feature a two-race invitational apprentice jockey challenge, with 10 apprentices from across North America competing in the event. Races 4 and 5 are the designated challenge races.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Princess of Sylmar will have the opportunity to avenge each of her two losses this season when she meets Close Hatches and Belle Gallantey in Friday’s $500,000 Personal Ensign at Saratoga.

A field of seven was drawn Monday for the Grade 1 Personal Ensign, and the group also includes Antipathy, Majestic River, Fiftyshadesofhay, and Stanwyck. The two favorites will break next to each other on the far outside, with Close Hatches in post 6 and Princess of Sylmar in post 7.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – While her fellow apprentices will be preparing for the apprentice jockey challenge on Wednesday at Woodbine, Jenna Bray will not be participating. Bray, who has won four races this season, will sit out the rest of the season to retain her 10-pound weight allowance into next year. Bray’s fifth career victory would see her weight allowance drop to five pounds.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Having already run him in the first two legs of the Canadian Triple Crown, trainer Josie Carroll wasn’t sure if the $501,600 Breeders’ Stakes was the right spot for Ami’s Holiday. But Ami’s Holiday showed Carroll that he was ready in the days leading up to the race, and on Sunday, he rallied from midpack to win his first classic event.