Who is the best now?

2006 Horse of the Year Invasor has been retired after an injury to his right hind leg discovered after a workout at Belmont Park in preparation for the Suburban Handicap.

Plunging Without Borders II:

48th running of the Takarazuka Kinen (Gr. 1) at Hanshin Racecourse goes to 6 year old Admire Moon over Meisho Samson with Pop Rock in 3rd. Here is comparison of results between Japan tote and American:

Japan USA

• Win $6.7 $9.5
  
• Exacta $31.80 $50
  
• Trifecta $155.70 $298.90

Magical weekend at Epsom sees the legendary trainer Henry Cecil return to Classic glory after a seven year drought by winning the Oaks on Friday with Light Shift and Saturday brought us jockey Frankie Dettori finally winning the Derby in his fifteenth try with an emphatic five length win on Authorized trained by Peter Chapple-Hyam who was enjoying his own redemption day. The stories about the winners contain the best characteristics of racing.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II witnessed Frankie's win today and could be seen cheering him into the winner's circle. Surely her thoughts must have drifted back to the week of her Coronation in the beginning of June, 1953. The Derby that year was moved from its usual Wednesday date to Saturday because of the Coronation. A huge crowd descended on the Downs to cheer the Queen's horse Aureole - one of the Derby favorites. But the Queen that day had to settle for the runner-up spot with victory going the legendary jockey Gordon Richards on Pinza. It was Richards first Derby victory after twenty-six losing mounts in the race and came within a week after the Queen had placed Richards on the list of people to be knighted. The Queen congratulated Richards in person after the race.

Link to BBC story with audio/video on Richards 1953 Derby win:http://www.bbc.co.uk/shropshire/features/2003/06/sir_gordon_richards2.shtml