If not for a brief virus, Highland Chief would have contested last Saturday’s Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (G1) at Aqueduct. But trainer Graham Motion’s fallback plan worked out just fine.

Six graded stakes highlight a dynamite 12-race program Saturday at Kentucky Downs on Saturday. The $1 million Kentucky Turf Cup (G2) and $750,000 Kentucky Downs Ladies Turf (G3) were originally scheduled, and the $1 million Mint Million (G3) has been brought back after being canceled due to adverse weather conditions at the all-turf venue last Saturday.

The trainer/jockey tandem of Chad Brown and Flavien Prat swept all four graded stakes on the Haskell (G1) undercard at Monmouth on Saturday. Their turf double came courtesy of Adhamo in the United Nations (G1) and Lemista in the Matchmaker (G3).

Along with undefeated Jack Christopher in the Haskell (G1), trainer Chad Brown has leading contenders in all the graded stakes on the undercard at Monmouth Park on Saturday.

The most impressive winner on a stakes-packed Saturday afternoon at Gulfstream Park was arguably Speaker’s Corner in the Gulfstream Park Mile S. (G2).

A trio of graded stakes—including a Breeders' Cup qualifier—made for an exciting Sunday afternoon of racing at Belmont Park.

Three graded stakes are slated at Belmont Park on Sunday –  the Beldame (G2), a stepping stone to the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1); the Futurity (G3), a “Win and You’re In” for the Juvenile Turf Sprint (G2); and the Knickerbocker (G3).