First Look: Holiday weekend brings 12 graded stakes

The long Independence Day weekend brings 12 graded stakes at tracks across the continent.

At Belmont, Firenze Fire could make it three in a row, and Country Grammer could make his first start since being switched from Bob Baffert to Todd Pletcher. Knicks Go will make an appearance in Iowa, and at Los Alamitos, Gamine could go for her fourth straight win.

Here is an early look at the possible fields.

Thursday

Dominion Day (G3), Woodbine, 1 1/16 miles, 4-year-olds and up

March to the Arch makes his first start since a 13th-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Mile. Before that, he finished second in the Woodbine Mile and scored in the King Edward at Woodbine. After starting the year with a third-place allowance win, Canadian hero Mighty Heart came back to win the Blame Stakes on May 29. This is the second start of the year for Belichick, who has a 1-4-1 record from six career starts.

Friday

Iowa Oaks (G3), Prairie Meadows, 1 1/16 miles, 3-year-old fillies

Before her eighth-place finish in the Kentucky Oaks, Pauline's Pearl won the Fantasy (G3) and came in second in the Honeybee (G3). Before winning the Black-Eyed Susan (G2), Army Wife finished third in the Gazelle (G3). Shesa Mystery will make her first start in graded-stakes company. Trainer Jeff Hiles said the filly "hasn't been tested" in winning an allowance last out and when breaking her maiden in May.

Cornhusker Handicap (G3), Prairie Meadows, 1 1/8 miles, 3-year-olds and up

The biggest name here is Knicks Go, who steps down in class after four straight Grade 1 starts. He won both the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile and the Pegasus World Cup but then finished fourth in his next two, the Saudi Cup and the Met Mile. Last Judgment's win in the Pimlico Special (G3) came after a second-place finish in the Ghostzapper (G3) and a score in the Challenger Stakes (G3). Modernist will be seeking vengeance after finishing second to Last Judgment in both the Pimlico Special and the Challenger Stakes. In between, he won the Excelsior (G3).

Saturday

Suburban (G2), Belmont Park, 1 1/4 miles, 4-year-olds and up

Former Bob Baffert trainee Country Grammer could make his first start here for Todd Pletcher, who also plans to enter Happy Saver and Moretti. Mystic Guide would make his first start since his win in the Dubai World Cup (G1) in March. Max Player – fifth in both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness – would be looking for his first win in six tries since the Withers (G3). This race offers a fees-paid berth in the Breeders' Cup Classic.

Princess Rooney Invitational (G2), Gulfstream, 7 furlongs, fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

The final invitation list was expected to be issued Sunday for this event, which is win-and-you're-in race for the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint. Among the early probables, Sound Machine would return to graded-stakes company after winning the Musical Romance for his first victory since January 2020. Estilo Talentoso has finished in the money in each of her 14 wins; her Bed of Roses (G3) score was her first win since August.

Smile Sprint Invitational (G3), Gulfstream, 6 furlongs, 3-year-olds and up

After losing efforts in three straight graded stakes – which followed scores in the Twin Spires Turf Sprint (G2) and the Phoenix (G2) – Diamond Oops won by a head last out in a handicap at this track and distance. Shivaree is 0-for-3 this year and last won in December.

Los Alamitos Derby (G3), Los Alamitos, 1 1/8 miles, 3-year-olds

Bob Baffert has three of the eight nominees for this race. Defunded has not won since breaking his maiden in January, finishing second last out in the Affirmed (G3). Classier was third in the Affirmed, which was his second start of the year. And this would be the first graded-stakes race for Hudson Ridge, who got his first win in the Cinema Stakes and scored in an allowance race here last out, both at this track and distance.

Information was not available for two graded stakes at Delaware Park Saturday: the Delaware Oaks (G3) and the Kent Stakes (G3).

Sunday

John A. Nerud (G2), Belmont Park, 7 furlongs, 4-year-olds and up

Firenze Fire is 3-1-1 in his last five starts – all graded stakes – with wins in the True North (G2) and Runhappy (G3) his last two outs. Mind Control started the year by winning the Toboggan (G3) and the Tom Fool (G3) but has not won in eight tries since. This is a win-and-you're-in race for the Breeders' Cup Sprint.

Monday

Dwyer (G3), Belmont Park, 1 mile, 3-year-olds

Mahaamel, bought for $700,000 as a yearling, makes his third start here after breaking his maiden on second try here on June 4. Starrininmydreams is 0-for-4 this year, with all of his starts in graded stakes. This would be the second start off a nearly 5-month layoff for Pickin' Time, whose last win came in the Nashua (G3) in November.

Great Lady M. (G2), Los Alamitos, 6 1/2 furlongs, fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

Bob Baffert has two of the 15 nominees for this race, including Gamine, whose only loss in eight starts was a ninth-place finish in the 2020 Kentucky Oaks. John Sadler nominated Edgeway, who has 6: 4-1-1 career record and won the Carousel last out on April 10.