Around the Backstretch

An assortment of news and notes from around the world of horse racing:

North America

St Trinians to rest for 2011 campaign - ESPN
"St Trinians will miss the $300,000 Clement Hirsch Stakes at Del Mar on Aug. 7 because of soreness, trainer Mike Mitchell said on Saturday."

NYRA releases fall stakes schedules for Belmont, Aqueduct - Handicappers' Edge
"The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) has announced the stakes programs for the 2010 Belmont Fall Championship Meet and the 2010 Aqueduct Fall Meet, featuring more than 30 graded stakes races and nearly $9 million in purses."

Quality Road Blasts Bullet at Saratoga - BloodHorse.com
"Quality Road, the top older male in training, continued preparations for the Aug. 7 Whitney Handicap (gr. I) with what trainer Todd Pletcher termed a "spectacular" five-furlong move."

Super Saver, Quality Road impressive in Saratoga works - Thoroughbred Times
"Gearing up for his first start since the Triple Crown, Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) winner Super Saver breezed five furlongs in 1:00.77 on Monday morning at Saratoga Race Course."

Fly Down appears ready for Jim Dandy test - Thoroughbred Times
"Dwyer Stakes (G2) winner Fly Down showed his readiness for the $500,000 Jim Dandy Stakes on Saturday (G2) with a bullet half-mile work on Monday morning on the Oklahoma Training Track at Saratoga Race Course."

Lookin At Lucky sizzles in final Haskell drill - Thoroughbred Times
"Champion Lookin At Lucky blazed five furlongs in :58.60 handily on Monday morning at Del Mar in his final workout for the $1-million IZOD Haskell Invitational Stakes (G1) on Sunday at Monmouth Park."

International

Glorious Goodwood has it all: Horse Racing - Telegraph
"If ever there was an antidote to the wrangling and wrath which the racing and betting industries are immersed in, it has to be Glorious Goodwood."

Harbinger the best horse ever or maybe not - Steve Dennis - UK Horse Racing Blogs - Racing Post
"Anyone know that old tune by the mighty Johnny Nash? There are more questions than answers. You betcha. Anyone see that King George? Oh wow."

Rip Van Winkle takes on Canford Cliffs in bid for Sussex repeat - Thoroughbred Times
"Rip Van Winkle (Ire) will try for a repeat victory in the Sussex Stakes (Eng-G1) on Wednesday at Goodwood, but the multiple Group 1 winner must defeat a classic winner to win the one-mile turf race for the second straight year."