Weekend Lineup: Return Of The King
Goldophin's dual classic-winning homebred Sovereignty looks to make headlines of his own in the Grade 2 Jim Dandy on July 26 at Saratoga Racecourse, a week after his rival Journalism secured his third G1 of the year in last weekend's Haskell.The $500,000 Jim Dandy is likely to be the most talked-about race of the weekend, but there is Breeders' Cup Win and You're In action across the pond and on the Pacific coast.At Ascot Racecourse on Saturday morning, two-time Breeders' Cup Turf winner Rebel's Romance will attempt to win his first English G1 and a return ticket to Del Mar.The winner of the G1 Bing Crosby will have an ever-so-important win over the course and distance of the Breeders' Cup Sprint in November.Turf runners will also be in the spotlight across the country. Saratoga hosts the G3 Lake George for 3-year-old fillies over 1 1/16 miles on July 26, and the G2 Glens Falls for older mares over 1 ½ miles on July 27. At Del Mar, 3-year-olds and older contest the G2 Eddie Read Stakes over 1 ⅛ miles on July 27.
Saturday
5:41 pm - G2 Jim Dandy at SaratogaDual classic winner Sovereignty looks to remain atop the 3-year-old standings with a win in the Jim Dandy. Only four are brave enough to take on Godolphin's star homebred, led by Belmont Stakes third Baeza and Preakness third Sandman. G3 Ohio Derby winner Mo Plex appears to be the lone speed, and G2 Peter Pan winner Hill Road completes the field.Jim Dandy Entries
8:30 pm - G2 San Diego at Del MarThe highly-regarded and lightly-raced Nysos stretches out around two turns for the first time in 17 months for the San Diego. The Bob Baffert-trained son of Nyquist's only defeat came in the G1 Churchill Downs Stakes, when finishing second to Mindframe.Taking on Nysos is California handicap stalwart Express Train, who won this race in 2021. G3 winner Hall of Fame makes his first start under lease by Claiborne Farm for trainer Michael McCarthy. The son of Gun Runner last finished fourth to Mystik Dan in the G3 Blame in May.San Diego Entries
9:00 pm - G1 Bing Crosby at Del MarNine sprinters have been entered for the six-furlong Bing Crosby, with the winner receiving a spot in the Breeders' Cup Sprint starting gate. Roll On Big Joe, winner last out of the G3 Kelly's Landing at Churchill Downs, is the only horse to have won multiple graded stakes this year, having also won the G3 Palos Verdes in February.Kelly's Landing runner-up Dr. Venkman and the Rudolphe Brisset-trained World Record will likely receive more attention than Roll On Big Joe. Dr. Venkman has won three of four starts at Del Mar – the only loss coming in the 1 ¼ miles Pacific Classic last year. Winstar Farm and BBN Racing's World Record won the G2 Amsterdam last year and was narrowly beaten in the G3 Aristides last out.Bing Crosby Entries
This story was originally reported by Paulick Report on Jul 24, 2025, where it first appeared.
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