Tale of the Tape On Saturday afternoon at Saratoga, the bell will ring for the highly anticipated rubber match between Grade 1 champions Counting Stars and Always a Runner in the $500,000 American Oaks (G1). The latter prevailed in round one, claiming the $1.5 million Kentucky Oaks (G1) on May 1 at Churchill Downs. Counting Stars then struck back with a decisive 3 ¾-length score in last month’s $500,000 Acorn (G1), also at Saratoga. Both millionaires by merit, Counting Stars is conditioned by Mark Casse while Always a Runner is trained by Chad Brown. At 9-5 on the morning line, Always a Runner holds the early advantage over Counting Stars (2-1) ahead of their third consecutive meeting. Another Level Searching for his first graded stakes badge, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners’ Built turns his attention to the $400,000 Alfred G. Vanderbilt (G2), this Saturday at Saratoga. The 4-year-old Hard Spun colt was unable to capitalize on his 8-5 favourite status in last month’s Bango (G3), finishing a half-length short of victor Harrodsburg. Built, the 2024 Gun Runner Stakes winner, has been largely consistent through 13 lifetime starts with a 5-2-3 ($479,696) record. Trained by Wayne Catalano, Built steps into the six-furlong Vanderbilt as the 8-5 choice. Stay the Course Imaginary Stables’ Jumping the Gun has been on the verge of a graded breakthrough, rattling off three straight runner-up finishes at the level. This Saturday, the sophomore daughter of Gun Runner–Breaking Bread will take her talents to Monmouth Park, hoping to hit the mark in the $150,000 Monmouth Oaks (G3). Jumping the Gun’s impressive, yet frustrating streak began in last December’s Demoiselle (G2) and continued through May’s Black-Eyed Susan (G2) before reaching the Delaware Oaks (G3) on June 13. The bay, trained by Andrew Simoff, has never landed outside the top three through eight career starts, earning nearly $339,000 in purses. Paired with rider Julio Hernandez from post two, Jumping the Gun opens at 5-1. Old Ghosts Eager to avenge a last-place effort in last month’s Bango (G3), Dr. Venkman returns to Del Mar, the site of both his graded stakes victories, this Saturday for the 81st running of the $400,000 Bing Crosby (G1). The racetrack on Jimmy Durante Boulevard has been kind to the 6-year-old son of Ghostzapper –of Change, who sports a 4-0-1 line, highlighted by tallies in the 2024 San Diego Handicap (G2) and 2025 Pat O’Brien (G2), across seven starts at Del Mar. Trained by Mark Glatt for an ownership group led by Alipony Racing, Dr. Venkman finished fourth in last year’s edition of the six-furlong Bing Crosby. The bay enters the 2026 renewal at 4-1. Chasing History Del Mar has crowned countless champions throughout its storied history, but none have ever captured six stakes victories at the seaside oval. On Sunday, not one but two equine superstars can soar to unrivaled heights in the $250,000 Eddie Read (G2T), a 1 1/8-mile turf test for 3-year-olds and up. Both Gold Phoenix (IRE), trained by Phil D’Amato, and Formidable Man, trained by Michael McCarthy, enter tied with Admirably, Flawlessly, How Now, and Midnight Storm atop Del Mar’s all-time stakes leaderboard at five wins apiece. It’s only fitting that Gold Phoenix (Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap) and Formidable Man (Grade 2 Del Mar Mile) each secured their fifth titles on August 30, 2025. Matthew Lomon, for Woodbine Share This:Share
