Reade Baker has worn many hats and been many places in his 66 years on this earth, always as a Canadian. He can recall his last foray onto the backstretch at Arlington Park in 1968, when he was a groom for an unplaced horse named Sharp Eyed Quillo in what was then one of the premier events for 2-year-old Thoroughbreds in North America, the Arlington-Washington Futurity.

“Bill Resseguet won it,” Baker said this week from his barn at Woodbine near Toronto, referring to a colt named Strong Strong, ridden by Danny Gargan. “King Emperor was second.”

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - In the month of August, the Saratoga winner’s circle has been the place to be for jockey John Velazquez.

One day after winning five races on Sunday’s card, Velazquez took two more on Monday, including the $100,000 Kid Russell Stakes aboard Strapping Groom, whom Velazquez steered to a 1 3/4-length victory over Candyman E. It was three lengths back to Leave of Absence in third.

This content is part of a free preview of DRF Plus. Click to learn more.

Of the nine stakes John Velazquez has won at this meet, six have come for his primary client, trainer Todd Pletcher. On Saturday, Velazquez will be in the enemy camp when he rides Fiftyshadesofhay against the Pletcher-trained Princess of Sylmar in the Grade 1, $600,000 Alabama Stakes for 3-year-old fillies.

This content is part of a free preview of DRF Plus. Click to learn more.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – It’s been almost a year since Compliance Officer’s most recent start, but after watching the five-time New York-bred stakes winner work Monday, trainer Bruce Brown said it might be time to start looking for a race.

This content is part of a free preview of DRF Plus. Click to learn more.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Not long ago, running a 2-year-old three times at the Saratoga meet was commonplace. More recently, it’s almost blasphemy to think that such a thing could happen.

This content is part of a free preview of DRF Plus. Click to learn more.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Wise Dan will have one more race before the Breeders’ Cup Mile, and trainer Charlie LoPresti appears to be leaning toward waiting for the Grade 1, $750,000 Shadwell Turf Mile at Keeneland on Oct. 5 as opposed to the $1 million Woodbine Mile on Sept. 15.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – On Arlington Million Day 2012, Anne Smith was galloping horses and working as an assistant to trainer Austin Smith. Armando de la Cerda was employed as an assistant to trainer Brian Williamson. One year later, Smith and de la Cerda not only have become head trainers, but both have horses pre-entered in Million Day races: De la Cerda runs La Tia in the Beverly D., while Smith will saddle Nates Mineshaft in the Million itself.

This content is part of a free preview of DRF Plus. Click to learn more.

DEL MAR, Calif. – It is becoming Del Mar tradition – no one hits the pick six on Sunday, and the racing week begins with a jackpot on Wednesday.

The fourth consecutive Sunday-to-Wednesday carryover is up for grabs this week – a $255,708 carryover expected to attract more than $1.4 million in new pick-six wagers.

This content is part of a free preview of DRF Plus. Click to learn more.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – There are three graded stakes winners entered in Wednesday’s $100,000 Stroll Stakes at Saratoga, but the depth of the field is such that none of the trio has to necessarily win.

This content is part of a free preview of DRF Plus. Click to learn more.

DEL MAR, Calif. - Pick six carryovers and larger field sizes than last year have translated into strong business for Del Mar as the track passes the midpoint of the season with increases in both overall and ontrack handle through Sunday, encompassing the first four weeks of the meet.