Little Mike returns in United Nations Handicap

Breeders' Cup Turf winner Little Mike gets back into action Saturday in the $500,000 United Nations Handicap at Monmouth Park. The 6-year-old gelding will take on seven rivals in the 1 3/8-mile turf event.

Game On Dude set to defend Hollywood Gold Cup

Defending race winner Game On Dude will take on four challengers in Saturday's $500,000 Hollywood Gold Cup at Hollywood Park. The 6-year-old gelding will attempt to become just the third horse to win the 1 1/4-mile handicap more than once.

Horse racing

Gulfstream, Calder horse tracks waging a turf war

Calder trainers have started taking their stables to Gulfstream, which began a meet that runs against the longtime summer track.

Trinniberg headlines Smile Sprint at Calder

Champion sprinter Trinniberg leads a field of 12 for Saturday's six-furlong $350,000 Smile Sprint Handicap at Calder.

Up the Backstretch: Sprinters to blast off at Calder

Get out the starting blocks, the fastest thoroughbreds in the nation are set to explode down the track Saturday at Calder Race Course in the Smile Sprint Handicap.

Wise Dan maintains lead in NTRA Poll

2012 Horse of the Year Wise Dan ran through the rain drops to win the Firecracker Handicap Saturday night at Churchill Downs and was rewarded with another week atop the NTRA National Poll.

Centralinteligence and Obviously pick up key Hollywood wins

Centralinteligence and Obviously each ran their way into this year's Breeders' Cup with stakes victories Saturday at Hollywood Park.

Fiftyshadesofhay captures Iowa Oaks

Fiftyshadesofhay, winner of the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes, cruised through the stretch Saturday night to win the $200,000 Iowa Oaks for 3-year-old fillies at Prairie Meadows.

Wise Dan becomes first horse to win Firecracker twice

Champion thoroughbred Wise Dan continued his quest for a second straight Horse of the Year honor with a second career victory in the $150,000 Firecracker Handicap at Churchill Downs Saturday night.

Suburban to mark return home for Alpha

Travers Stakes co-winner Alpha will return to action in the United States next Saturday in the $350,000 Suburban Handicap at Belmont Park. It will be the 4-year-old's first race this year after two starts in Dubai.

Game On Dude nominated to defend Hollywood Gold Cup

Defending race winner Game On Dude heads a list of nine nominations for next week's $500,000 Hollywood Gold Cup at Hollywood Park.

Up the Backstretch: Hey, wake up, the champ's back

Eight weeks is a long time between games in most sports. The two weeks waiting for an NFL team to resume playing after a bye week can seem an eternity.

Fiftyshadesofhay looms large in Iowa Oaks

Fiftyshadesofhay, winner of last month's Black-Eyed Susan Stakes, will take on nine rivals Saturday night in the $200,000 Iowa Oaks for 3-year-old fillies at Prairie Meadows.

Wise Dan returns for Firecracker Handicap

Reigning Horse of the Year Wise Dan gets back into action Saturday night in the $150,000 Firecracker Handicap at Churchill Downs, a race he won two years ago. The mile turf race attracted seven challengers to face the champion gelding.

Queen's Plate may attract 13 3-year-olds

A field of 13 3-year-olds is shaping up for this year's 154th running of the $1 million Queen's Plate at Woodbine Racecourse. The 1 1/4-mile classic goes off on Sunday, July 7 with an approximate post-time of 5:45 p.m. (ET).

Wise Dan continues on the lead in NTRA Poll

Reigning Horse of the Year Wise Dan maintains his spot atop the NTRA National Poll entering the second half of the 2013 racing season.

Animal Kingdom fades in Queen Anne Stakes

Animal Kingdom came up short in an attempt to add the Queen Anne Stakes title to his 2011 Kentucky Derby win and Dubai World Cup championship from earlier this year.

Funny Proposition upsets Royal Delta in Fleur de Lis

Funny Proposition, ridden by Joel Rosario, took the lead at the start and pulled away from champion mare Royal Delta down the stretch to win Saturday night's $175,000 Fleur de Lis Handicap at Churchill Downs.

Fort Larned cruises to win Foster Handicap

Fort Larned, winless in his first two starts this year, notched his initial victory of 2013 in dominating fashion Saturday night at Churchill Downs in the $500,000 Stephen Foster Handicap.

Paynter excellent after Friday's return race

Paynter, trained by Bob Baffert, came out of his return race Friday at Hollywood Park in excellent shape. The 4-year-old colt, owned by Zayat Stable, won the 7th race allowance event over seven furlongs.