ELMONT, N.Y. – After warm and dry conditions dominated the majority of the month at Belmont Park, some rain and cooler temperatures are forecast to end September and usher in October. On that front, the timing couldn’t be better for trainer Bill Mott, at least as far as his three-time Grade 1 winner Channel Maker is concerned.

When Channel Maker runs in Saturday’s Grade 1, $250,000 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic, Mott would certainly like to see the Belmont turf course less firm than it has been for the first two weeks of the meet, when firm ground led to some really quick times.

Jack Sisterson was at Santa Anita on Saturday to saddle Calumet Farm’s Notable Exception for a seventh-place finish in the Grade 1 American Pharoah Stakes. But meanwhile, Sisterson’s operation was busy, sending out 15 Calumet horses from his private Rice Road barn to work Saturday morning at Keeneland.

Steve Asmussen and Tyler Gaffalione secured the training and riding titles, respectively, at the Churchill Downs September meet that ended Sunday.

Asmussen led Brad Cox with 12 wins to 8 at the meet, despite a strong start for Cox, who saddled Shedaresthedevil to win the Kentucky Oaks, Monomoy Girl to win the Grade 1 La Troienne, and Beau Recall to win the Grade 2 Churchill Distaff Turf Mile.

It was a record-extending 24th leading trainer title at Churchill Downs for Asmussen, who became Churchill’s all-time wins leader in June.

Mr. Money had a lucrative campaign in 2019, winning four graded stakes, but had struggled to find the win column in 2020. He finally cashed in with a victory in the Grade 3 Ack Ack Stakes on Saturday at Churchill Downs that likely earned him a return engagement in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile.

Between the two of them, trainers Bob Baffert and D. Wayne Lukas have won the Preakness Stakes 13 times, and they’ve amassed 30 Triple Crown race wins. That’s a lot of success and experience to bring to hand for one horse, and this year they’ve combined forces for the final leg of the out-of-order 2020 Triple Crown, with Authentic.

Authentic, the Kentucky Derby winner, completed his preparation for the Preakness Stakes on Saturday with a workout Monday morning at Churchill Downs that was officially credited as a half-mile in 47.60 seconds, but included a gallop out of another quarter-mile.

Authentic's half-mile time was the fastest of 37 at the distance on Monday.

Working alone, Authentic clicked off fractions of 12.20 seconds and 24. He galloped out five furlongs in 1:00, and six furlongs in 1:13.40.

ARCADIA, Calif. - Weston, the winner of the Grade 2 Best Pal Stakes at Del Mar on Aug. 8, was withdrawn from Saturday’s Grade 1 American Pharoah after a bout with colic, but showed improvement later in the weekend, trainer Ryan Hanson said.

“He needed some medication,” he said. “He was not going to run to his ability. He was feeling better this morning.”

ARCADIA, Calif. - Venetian Harbor, second in the Grade 1 Test Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Saratoga in August, may have her next start in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint at Keeneland on Nov. 7.

“She’s training lights-out at San Luis Rey Downs,” trainer Richard Baltas said over the weekend. “I’m pretty happy with her right now.”

On Sept. 22, Venetian Harbor worked five furlongs in 58.60 seconds.

ARCADIA, Calif. - Sharp Samurai, a five-time stakes winner on turf who was second to Maximum Security in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic on the main track at Del Mar on Aug. 22, will start in Saturday’s Grade 2 City of Hope Mile on turf at Santa Anita.

Trainer Mark Glatt said plans were finalized Sunday. Glatt co-owns Sharp Samurai with Red Baron’s Barn and Rancho Temescal. The partners were also considering Saturday’s Grade 1 Shadwell Mile on turf at Keeneland.

Sharp Samurai won the City of Hope Mile in 2018.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Trainer Gail Cox has enjoyed a sensational 2020 Woodbine meet. Her season might reach a pinnacle on E.P. Taylor Stakes Day - Oct. 18 - when she could have runners in three stakes.

Rideforthecause is scheduled to contest the Grade 1, $600,000 E.P. Taylor. The 4-year-old notched her first stakes at 22-1 in the Grade 2 Canadian going about 1 1/8 miles on Sept. 12. Cox said longer distances have been the key to getting Rideforthecause to reach her potential. In that case, the 1 1/4- mile Taylor should be right up her alley.