Frankie Dettori’s message to Simon Crisford before the Darley Prix Robert Papin (G2) July 21 was “Leave it to me,” and the rider’s confidence paid off as A’Ali eased to victory at Deauville under a jockey riding the crest of a wave.

Jockey Alfredo Juarez Jr. earned his 3,000th Thoroughbred win at Albuquerque Downs July 20 as the veteran rider piloted Vangilder to victory in the $70,000 Charles Taylor Derby for 3-year-olds.

In the 72nd running of the Grade 3, $150,000 Oceanport Stakes, Skeedattle Stable’s Just Howard made his first trip over the Monmouth Park turf course a winning one in the $142,500 Oceanport Stakes (G3T) July 20.

Woodbine invader Seek and Destroy was able to seize another graded stakes victory when she took the CA$130,000 (US$99,775) Ontario Colleen Stakes (G3T) July 20 at the Toronto oval.

George Krikorian’s homebred filly Mucho Unusual showed off her tremendous turn of foot July 20, going from last to first to claim the $201,755 San Clemente Stakes (G2T) over one mile at Del Mar. 

If there were concerns about Midnight Bisou running 1 1/16 miles in withering mid-90 temperatures in the $147,500 Molly Pitcher Stakes (G3) for fillies and mares at steamy Monmouth Park July 20, for the most part, they were proven to be unfounded.

Hronis Racing’s Catalina Cruiser captured his first stakes victory one year ago in Del Mar’s San Diego Handicap (G2), and the son of Union Rags repeated his success July 20 by once again wiring the $196,000 event.

Gary and Mary West’s Maximum Security returned to graded company with a vengance July 20, winning the $1 million TVG.com Haskell Invitational Stakes (G1) at Monmouth Park.

The heat was definitely on in the Monmouth Park homestretch July 20 as War Story and Bal Harbour dueled to the wire in a thrilling renewal of the $199,000 Monmouth Cup (G3). 

Heat index is predicted to surpass that of July 20.

Star Catcher fully justified the decision to supplement her for the Kerrygold Irish Oaks (G1) by making all to land the classic at the Curragh July 20 under an inspired ride from Frankie Dettori.

After canceling live racing July 19-20 because of the forecast for extreme heat, Ellis Park announced it will conduct a special Monday card July 29 to make up some of the canceled races.

After two races run in oppressive mid-90-degree temperatures, Monmouth Park has opted for discretion and canceled the six remaining non-stakes on its 14-race July 20 TVG.com Haskell Invitational Stakes (G1) Day card.

Each Saturday NTRA and BloodHorse provide a one-stop guide to the day’s graded stakes races. Races are listed in chronological order (all times Eastern). Click on links for full preview.