Around the Backstretch:

News and notes from the world of horse racing:

North America

Gio Ponti returns in Shadwell Turf Mile - Thoroughbred Times
A diverse field will challenge the $600,000 Shadwell Turf Mile (G1), including last year’s winner, two-time champion turf male Gio Ponti, who will seek his first win of the year on Saturday and try to secure a "Win and You’re In" berth to the TVG Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1).

Santa Anita: Baffert still weighing Cup start for Coil | Daily Racing Form
There may be a race at the Breeders’ Cup for Haskell Invitational winner Coil after all.

Belmont: Ice tries to revive 2009 magic with No Spin in Champagne | Daily Racing Form
Trainer Tim Ice hopes to be back in the Belmont winner’s circle Saturday for the first time since 2009 when he sends out No Spin in the $300,000 Champagne Stakes for 2-year-old colts.

The Factor tops Ancient Title; Oak Tree Mile has Mr. Commons, Crown of Thorns - Handicappers' Edge
The Factor will bring his speed to Saturday's $250,000 Ancient Title Stakes at Santa Anita and appears to tower over his five rivals in the six-furlong Grade 1 test.

Giant Oak, Rule face off in Hawthorne Gold Cup - Handicappers' Edge
Reigning Illinois-bred Horse of the Year and multiple Grade 1 winner Giant Oak heads a field of 10 for the 75th running of the Grade 2, $500,000 Hawthorne Gold Cup on Saturday.

Big Drama recovered | Daily Racing Form
Trainer David Fawkes said Big Drama has fully recovered from the 103-degree temperature that kept him out of the Vosburgh and cost him a chance to get in a much-needed final prep for a defense of his Sprint title. Big Drama has raced just twice this season and only once since Jan. 15.

Santa Anita: Dollase has two for Oak Tree Mile | Daily Racing Form
The 6-year-old gelding El Gato Malo and the 7-year-old horse Monterey Jazz start for trainer Craig Dollase in Saturday’s $150,000 Oak Tree Mile on turf. A win could lead to either of those veterans making a trip to Churchill Downs next month.

Keeneland: Leparoux in good position to repeat as leading rider | Daily Racing Form
Although the Keeneland jockey colony once again is brimming with world-class talent, Julien Leparoux should have ample opportunity to earn his seventh riding title here. Leparoux, the leading rider at the spring meet with 19 winners, is expected to miss only one day, Oct. 16, during the 17-day meet, according to his agent, Steve Bass.

Creative Cause's Family Solid Not Fashionable | BloodHorse.com
If Dream of Summer's regional pedigree is considered less than fashionable, her son Creative Cause proves that generations of solid runners can make a top racehorse.

Uncle Mo to Stand at Ashford Upon Retirement | BloodHorse.com
Last year's juvenile champion Uncle Mo will stand at Ashford Stud near Versailles, Ky., upon his retirement from racing, owner Mike Repole said Oct. 6.

Racing Business

NBC/VERSUS to broadcast ‘Autumn at Keeneland’ - Thoroughbred Times
NBC and VERSUS will broadcast four days of live racing from Keeneland Race Course in Lexington during the autumn meet as part of the network’s "Autumn at Keeneland" series.

On-track wagering increases at Turfway - Thoroughbred Times
Turfway Park ended its 2011 fall meet with a slight increase in on-track wagering handle and a small drop in all-sources wagering handle on its live races.

Breeders' Cup to permit simulcast bets at Churchill | Daily Racing Form
Simulcast signals will be offered for the first time at the host site of the Breeders’ Cup this year under a plan to coordinate the post times for the event on Nov. 4-5 at Churchill Downs with live race cards at Santa Anita and Aqueduct, according to racing officials.

International

Dubai World Cup Adds Turf Stakes to Card | BloodHorse.com
The Dubai World Cup has added a 3,200-meter (two-mile) turf stakes to the 2012 World Cup card, increasing total purses for the world's richest racing day to $27.25 million.

Power carries O'Brien's Dewhurst hopes - Horse Racing News | Racing Post
AIDAN O'BRIEN will rely solely on Power when he attempts to win the Group 1 Dubai Dewhurst Stakes for the third time at Newmarket on Saturday.

Frankel hard to beat says Excelebration's trainer - Horse Racing News | Racing Post
TRAINER Marco Botti is hoping that Excelebration will get closer to Frankel in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot next week but admits it will be hard to finish in front of the unbeaten superstar colt.