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Willcox Inn is two-thirds of the way to a sweep of Arlington's Mid-America Triple, and leg 2, Saturday's American Derby, was no contest.

Willcox Inn, winner of the Arlington Classic, which kicked off the Mid-America Triple May 28 at Arlington Park, returns in pursuit of the Grade 2, $200,000 American Derby, the second leg of the series July 9.

Saturday, trainer Mike Stidham tapped Cisco Torres to ride American Derby favorite Workin for Hops. Torres put a perfect ride on his pick-up mount, who proved much the best as the favorite in the Grade 2, $200,000 turf race for 3-year-olds.

Diamond Tres Seis is out to defend his title, but 2008 All American Derby winner Noconi is the 8-5 morning-line favorite to win Saturday's $100,000 Refrigerator Handicap at Lone Star Park.

Julien Leparoux won his second graded stakes on the Million Preview card Saturday at Arlington, guiding Reb to an improbable victory in the Grade 2, $300,000 American Derby.

What is it about these Chris Block-trained horses? The millionaire 8-year-old Fort Prado has this big pink strip where his front leg meets his barrel, the result of a youthful encounter with a fence.

The American Derby is the second leg of the Arlington's Mid America Triple grass series for 3-year-olds.

Five trials for the Aug. 31 final for the prestigious Grade 1 All American Futurity will be held Friday in the mountain air of Ruidoso Downs.

It was easy sailing for Tizdejavu and Douglas in the American Derby, with the 3-5 favorite running alone on a clear lead while barely getting out of a gallop.

Go to the front, lead all the way, win a graded turf stakes. That's what Tizdejavu did in his last two starts, and on paper it will be Tizdejavu all over again in the American Derby on Saturday at Arlington Park.

This 1 3/16 miles turf test for sophomores is the second leg of Arlington's Mid America Triple series, and it serves as the local prep for the Grade 1 Secretariat Stakes, to be run on the Arlington Million card, Saturday, Aug. 9.

There was no Triple Crown winner in 2008, and there will be no Mid-America Triple winner this season either

Don't Let Down held off 2-5 favorite Separate Bet by a neck to win the $504,000 All American Derby on Sunday.

Bill Mott has made a cottage industry out of winning the American Derby, and Lattice gave the Mott barn three consecutive victories in the Grade 2, $250,000 race.

Pleasant Strike was one of nine 3-year-olds entered in the Grade 2, $250,000 American Derby, the second leg of Arlington's Mid-America Triple, and one of three graded turf stakes on Million Preview Day.

Sunday's All American Derby and Monday's All American Futurity, each at 440 yards, are at Ruidoso Downs. The 400-yard Golden State Derby is Saturday at Los Alamitos.