Katherine Stanley McKee of Lexington passed away peacefully July 27 with her family by her side and under the care of her amazing health care team.

Jockey Kent Desormeaux was removed from a scheduled mount July 31 at Del Mar after track management chose to deny him access to their facility, a track official said.

Orlando Mojica, involved in a one-horse spill in the third race at Indiana Grand July 22, was issued a 30-day suspension for “carelessly and recklessly” guiding his mount, stewards wrote in a ruling issued July 23.

Churchill Downs Inc. asked the Illinois Racing Board for 68 days for 2021 despite comments the day before that it might abandon Arlington International.

Dr. Tom Riddle has been appointed to serve as a member of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission. He fills the slot left by Dr. Stuart Brown, who last month was named Keeneland’s equine safety director.

There have been times when Battaash has not always been bombproof, but if there is one place he has a brilliant record, it is Glorious Goodwood, and he lit up a red-hot day with another scorching display in the King George Qatar Stakes (G2).

Only time will tell if this year’s renewal of the $500,000 Personal Ensign Stakes (G1) will be as thrilling as last year’s running, when Midnight Bisou and Elate left the field in their dust in a knockdown, drag out duel to the finish line. 

It looks as though Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G1) winner Tiz the Law will face a modest number of rivals in the $1 million Runhappy Travers Stakes (G1) Aug. 8 at Saratoga Race Course.

Before Art Collector and other Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) prospects are expected to come to town for the Runhappy Ellis Park Derby Aug. 9, five $100,000 turf stakes put Ellis Park in the spotlight Aug. 2.

It looks as though Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G1) winner Tiz the Law will face a modest number of rivals in the $1 million Runhappy Travers Stakes (G1) Aug. 8 at Saratoga Race Course.

Formerly contested as the Chula Vista, the 1 1/16-mile dirt race was renamed the Clement L. Hirsch Stakes in 2000 after the longtime horse owner and Oak Tree Racing Association co-founder died, and now 20 years later, his son, Bo, has Ce Ce in it.

In the spring of 2018, Greg Bensel, the racing manager for G M B Racing, was riding his bike through the operation’s 1,000-acre Benson Farm at Greenwood Lodge in Paris, Ky.

Donna Veloce, sidelined this spring after winning the March 7 Santa Ysabel Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita Park, recorded her fourth workout of the summer July 31 at Del Mar and remains a candidate for the Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1).

Fiya, a 3-year-old gelded son of Friesan Fire who impressed in a last-out turf test at Laurel Park July 17, was purchased by Robert Masiello for $400,000 to top the July online auction conducted by Wanamaker’s.

A Circuit Court Judge has vacated his previous order dismissing a lawsuit filed by the Kentucky Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association against two racetracks that have implemented rules prohibiting the race-day use of Lasix in 2-year-olds.

Dave Liftin analyzes the Saturday stakes action from across the country.