First Look: Red Smith, Native Diver lead graded stakes

The Breeders’ Cup hangover is still wearing off, but there are growing signs of graded-stakes life again next weekend with the Red Smith (G2), Native Diver (G3) and Chilukki (G3) coming up.

Channel Cat, with $1,416,022 in earnings, is the big name who is expected to race this weekend.

Saturday

Red Smith (G2), Aqueduct, 1 3/8 miles (turf), 3-year-olds and up

Trainer Jack Sisterson confirmed in a text message Sunday to Horse Racing Nation that Channel Cat would be entered in this race, making him the only millionaire among the horses otherwise listed by the New York Racing Association as probable entrants. The 6-year-old entire by English Channel never has raced at Aqueduct, but he has stakes wins at Saratoga and Belmont Park, most notably the Man O’ War (G1) in May. Serve the King, who was second to Rockemperor last month in the 1 1/2-mile Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (G1) at Belmont, is likely to start for Chad Brown. Shamrocket, a stakes winner for Todd Pletcher three weeks ago at Belmont, and Tide of the Sea, who won a listed stakes last month at Laurel Park for Mike Maker, are also among the probables.

Chilukki (G3), Churchill Downs, one mile, fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

Matera might be looking at a glorified workout in the 36th running of this race named for a 1999 Eclipse Award winner. The 4-year-old Tapit filly trained by Brad Cox had only three probable opponents listed by Churchill Downs stakes coordinator Dan Bork. Matera won listed stakes during the summer at Indiana Downs and Ellis Park. She carried a three-race winning streak into the Locust Grove (G3) on Sept. 18 at Churchill, but she finished fourth to Shedaresthedevil, Crystal Ball and Envoutante. Pass the Plate won a black-type stakes last December at Fair Grounds but has lost her last seven starts.

Native Diver (G3), Del Mar, 1 1/8 miles, 3-year-olds and up

Midcourt won this race in 2019. As an odds-on favorite last year he finished second to Extra Hope. The 6-year-old Midnight Lute gelding who is trained by John Shirreffs was one of 11 nominations for this year’s renewal of the Native Diver. Midcourt has raced only twice this year, coming off the bench to win a June allowance before being eased late in the Awesome Again (G1) last month at Santa Anita. Four other stakes winners were also submitted; Ax Man, Azul Coast, Eight Rings are all trained by Bob Baffert and Bal Harbour by Greg Sacco. Probable starters were not listed by Del Mar, where entries will be taken and the field drawn Wednesday.