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The men’s turf division could see some key changes this weekend with major races taking place on August 9th, including the 1¼ mile Grade 1 Arlington Million at Colonial Downs and the 1½ mile Grade 1 Sword Dancer at Saratoga.
Alongside Arlington’s Million, there are six other notable turf races, featuring a filly and mare contest at 1 3/16 miles in the Grade 2 Beverly D and a three-year-old filly event covering one mile in the Grade 2 Secretariat.
The Grade 1 Sword Dancer attracted a strong field of nine runners, with the winner earning a spot in the Breeders’ Cup turf race at Del Mar this November.
Meanwhile, Canadian racing continues its classic season with the 1 1/16 mile Bison City Stakes—the second leg of Woodbine’s Triple Tiara series—scheduled for Saturday on the main track.
On Saturday:
– At 5:02 pm, the Bison City Stakes at Woodbine features DJ Stable’s Mark Casse trainees Shifty and Winterberry, who recently finished second and third behind Kassel Runner No Time in the Woodbine Oaks.
– At 5:44 pm, the Grade 1 Sword Dancer at Saratoga sees LSU Stable’s Far Bridge aiming to defend her title against eight rivals. Trainer Miguel Clement’s runner was impressive in the final Grade 2 Bowling Green race. Top contenders include Nations Pride from England and Godolphin’s El Cordobes, who is set for a US debut after securing a G2 win in Newmarket.
– At 5:54 pm, the Grade 1 Arlington Million at Colonial Downs marks the grass debut for Kentucky Derby winner Mystic Dunn in a wide-open field. The morning line favorite is the runner-up from last year’s Arlington Million, who recently won the 2023 Virginia Derby on this turf course. Also making her US debut in the Million is Kyro, third in the G1 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot, trained by Alice Haines.
This story was first published by the Paulick Report on August 7, 2025.
Fan Take: This weekend’s marquee turf events highlight the depth and international appeal of horse racing, offering fans thrilling competition and new emerging talents. These races set the stage for the Breeders’ Cup and could signal fresh rivalries and storylines that will energize the sport moving forward.
