First Look: See graded stakes at Aqueduct, Churchill, Del Mar

Three U.S. tracks host graded stakes this weekend, with juveniles moving up at Del Mar, 3-year-olds at Aqueduct and older fillies and mares at Churchill Downs.

Here’s an early look at the likely fields for stakes at those three tracks.

Saturday

Hill Prince (G2), Aqueduct, 1 1/8 miles (turf), 3-year-olds

Unraced as a 2-year-old, Integration is 2-for-2 this year, including a win over odds-on favorite Program Trading last out in the Virginia Derby (G3). Freedom Trail is looking for his first win of the year after five starts, most recently an optional-claiming allowance at Belmont at the Big A, where he was second. I’m Very Busy got his victory in five starts since winning his debut last year, scoring in a Belmont at the Big A allowance. Classic Catch, who is 7: 2-1-1 this year, would make his first start on turf.

Chilukki (G3), Churchill Downs, 1 mile, fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

Hidden Connection has finished second in four of her seven starts this year without a win. In her last start, she was runner-up to Search Results in the Locust Grove (G3). After returning from an eight-month layoff, Nostalgic had a win and a second in optional-claiming allowances at Saratoga before returning to graded-stakes company and finishing third of four in the Beldame (G2). Hot and Sultry was third or fourth in three tough graded stakes this year, the Azeri (G2), Apple Blossom (G1) and Derby City Distaff (G1) and hasn’t raced since that last start on the Kentucky Derby undercard. She’s been working at Churchill, with a bullet five-furlong work in 58.5 seconds two drills back and four furlongs in 47.00 Saturday.

Desi Arnaz (listed), Del Mar, 7 furlongs, 2-year-old fillies

Sandy Bottom scored on debut and then led at every call to win the black-type Anoakia Stakes last out. Royal Slipper is 1-for-1 after leading at every call in her debut to win by 4 3/4 lengths. Just Be You, a Justify filly, broke her maiden last out at Los Alamitos in her third try. Thermal would switch back to dirt after two turf starts, including her maiden win two starts back. Baffert nominated two here, Nothing Like You and Pinecone.

Sunday

Bob Hope (G3), Del Mar, 7 furlongs, 2-year-olds

After finishing second in his debut, Stronghold broke his maiden last out at Churchill Downs. He worked a bullet five furlongs in 59.20 seconds Sunday at Del Mar. Also a second-out winner, at Santa Anita, Tejon Pass most recently worked five furlongs in 1:00.40 at Del Mar. Bob Baffert nominated four to this race, and stakes coordinator Ed Reese said he expects him to enter a couple.

Probables were not available for the Kennedy Road (G2) on Saturday at Woodbine.