American Oaks Is on the Lookout for Smuggler

Smuggler, who earned her first Grade I stakes win in the Mother Goose on June 25, will try for another against eight opponents in the $500,000 Coaching Club American Oaks at Belmont Park.

Owned and bred by the Phipps Stable and trained by Shug McGaughey, the 3-year-old daughter of Unbridled prevailed by a neck in the Mother Goose over Spun Sugar, who is back for the 1 1/4 -mile Oaks.

A four-time winner and two-time runner-up in six starts, Smuggler again will be ridden by Edgar Prado, who long ago secured the Belmont riding title. The track concludes its spring-summer meet Sunday and Saratoga begins Wednesday.

Besides Spun Sugar, the Oaks field includes Summerly, whose biggest victory came in the Kentucky Oaks on May 6 at Churchill Downs, and the New York-bred Seeking The Ante.

Race of the day: Purim, who is unbeaten in three starts on turf, will aim for his biggest win yet against seven other 3-year-olds in the $250,000 American Derby at Arlington Park.

Mark Guidry, who has been aboard for two of Purim’s victories, will ride the son of Dynaformer for owner-breeder Edward J. Sukley and trainer Tom Proctor. The American Derby is a Grade II at 1 3/16 miles and is one of three grass stakes on the Arlington card. The others are the $200,000 Arlington Handicap for older horses at 1 1/4 miles and the $150,000 Modesty Handicap for older fillies and mares at 1 3/16 miles.

One for the road: Mesawmi drops out of a graded stakes to try a bit softer in the $75,000 Regaey Island at Ellis Park in Henderson, Ky. The 3-year-old Lemon Drop Kid colt, who won his turf debut on May 30 at Churchill Downs, can win for the third time in four starts for Stonerside Stable LLC and trainer Pat Byrne in the 1 1/16 -mile grass race. The field includes Nolan’s Cat, the maiden who finished third in the Belmont Stakes in his last outing on June 11. Eddie Martin Jr. will ride Mesawmi for the first time today.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Brite Lorelei in the second, Bartok Of Siam, Exclusive and Jack Sparrow in the third and Sonora Dancer, Elkton and Playful Blint in the fourth.

Winners (through Friday): Previous day/meet total: 3/6. Money: Previous day/meet total: $25.60/$43.60. Total money bet: $50.