Grade III

Happy Dancer Cruises to Victory in Pucker Up Stakes

Since returning to the turf in May, Happy Dancer had a couple of close calls, finishing second twice, so she certainly seemed like she was due to break through. Looking for her first stake victory, she made her way to ELP for the Pucker Up Stakes, and back up our selection of her by pulling off the victory.

Country Roads Take Seven to The WV Derby

Top jockeys and purse money will make their way to MNR on Sunday for the annual WV Derby, a Grade 3 that has $400.000 at stake. Unfortunately, that amount represents a low point for the race (not counting the period when it was a free race), as it is a $100.000 deduction from where it had been since 2018, and much lower than the high point of $750.000.

Pucker Up and Do a Happy Dance on Sunday

Looking at the action for Sunday at ELP, there will be an excellent opportunity for three year old female turf horses to pick up a large purse in the 20th running of the Pucker Up Stakes. It’s still a Grade 3, but one that offers $400.000 for its top finishers, giving trainers plenty of reason to pucker up.

All Take Grabs the Win in The MTH Cup

After winning the New Orleans Classic in March, All Take would have two very disappointing efforts, so it was safe to see that it was important for him to bounce back in The MTH Cup. Trainer Alydar Stables would get the effort that he was hoping for, as All Take did what he needed to do, and would go on to get his fourth win of the year.

The Sidley Stud Has a Formidable MTH Cup Duo

It’s the biggest day of the year at MTH on Saturday, so it’s only fitting that the reigning BC Classic winner, Spankersville, appears on the card. However, if you’re thinking that you just saw him race, well, that’s because you did. The Sidley Stud brings him back on short rest to run here in the Grade 3 MTH Cup against eight others who haven’t had a race yet in July.