Tampa Bay and Gulfstream - Earliest Openings Ever

Tampa Bay Downs begins 69th racing season today (not the phony 86th number given in official press releases and published blindly in DRF). Gulfstream Park opens their 70th racing season (after celebrating 70th anniversary season in 2009).

Both starts are the earliest ever for the tracks. Gulfstream's card is pretty much a "Calder at Gulfstream" races in the first half through race 5 and better racing with northern invaders in races 6-10. Tampa's card is the more diverse with entries from all ports of call across North America.

Claiming Crown XIII

Bill Finley writes at the ESPN website that Claiming Crown should be eliminated:

http://espn.go.com/horse-racing/story/_/id/7302871/pull-plug-claiming-crown

Typical East Coast bias perspective from Bill Finley. Claiming Crown should be a day of recognition for the type of horses and races that comprise the vast majority of racing in the United States as well as the history of "selling" races that goes back to the mid 19th century. The fact that purses and interest in Claiming Crown has declined yearly reflects the complete lack of cooperation in an industry that cannot even coordinate post times between racetracks. But as long as racing continues to chase alternative gambling revenue at the expense of racing, there is very little hope for the industry. Having attended the majority of Claiming Crown events, I can certainly vouch that Claiming Crown is a more legitimate and fun day of racing than a trumped up slot-fueled stakes event at venues where it's difficult even to find the racetrack among the thousands of slot machines (events where you can find Bill Finley broadcasting from on Saturday afternoons).

Claiming Crown XIII is not a very good set of races and obviously the future of this event is in doubt for a variety of reasons. But this should be an day that celebrates the claiming game by an industry that couldn't exist without them.

Prairie Meadows Turns To ADW

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/prairie-meadows-ia-hbpa-partner-to-build-iowas-first-ever-online-wagering-platform-2011-11-28

While Canterbury Park continues its quixotic quest for Racino dollars and threatening to close without them, its chief competitor to the south is getting into the account deposit wagering business.

In a perfect world, these two racetracks would reach a joint agreement and run non-competing, successive, shorter meetings that - if combined with Remington Park -comprise an eight month circuit of racing from April through November. Maybe even throw in a two week stint in Omaha.

But cooperation in this industry is close to nonexistent and without Racino dollars, Canterbury will continue to be the weaker track in the midwest.

Black Thursday at Racetracks

At least four fatal breakdowns at major racetracks on Thanksgiving - two in stakes races.

Back Street Heat - 4 year old in $17.5 claimer - 6th at Fair Grounds
Galix - promising 2 year old colt in the Hollywood Prevue
General Maximus - 4 year old ridgeling - favorite in the Fall Highweight Handicap
BZ Warrior - 5 year old horse - after finishing 9th in $10k claimer and being vanned off after 7th at Aqueduct

Even money favs Allaboutdreams in pulled up and vanned off in the 3 horse first race at Golden Gate. Track announcer Michael Wrona says after horses cross the line "I'm not sure what happens with the trifecta." I'm not sure what happened to Allaboutdreams.

Derby Future Odds

As provided by Wynn Las Vegas courtesy of Brisnet:

2012 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands odds from Wynn Las Vegas

Gran Premio Nacional Day at Palermo

4 Group I Clasicos on the card at Palermo this afternoon. Only one race included on the Calder simulcast card - race 13 the Gran Premio Maipu over five furlongs on the dirt.

The Clasicos need to be shown if the South American racing simulcast product is ever going to catch on in North America.

Japan Racing - Post Times?

Twin Spires is taking racing from Kyoto tonight with the Stay Gold colt Orfevre trying to become 7th Triple Crown winner in Japan history by winning the Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger). Twin Spires program has post time of 8th race from Kyoto at 11:55 p.m. Eastern time and the 9th race at 4:25 a.m. (Sunday). You talk about a break between races!

I believe the Kikuka Sho post time (11th race) is 2:40 a.m.

All global racing associations that want to successfully import their signal to North America should emulate Australian Racing (South America, UK/Ireland (which does some of this), South Africa, New Zealand and Japan). Would be nice to eventually add France, Hong Kong and Singapore to this list.

Sectional Timing in UK

Watching the RacingUK coverage of Champions Day at Ascot and they are making a great deal that the races are being sectionally timed (i.e. fractions, timing by mile marker). This is something that North American racing has had since the 1890s (1895 is first year in Champions).

Arc Simulcast?

Neither Twinspires nor XpressBet has put up the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe simulcasts on their schedule for the weekend? Details on Saturday and Sunday events are on the Thoroughbred Times link below:

http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/racing-news/2011/09/22/amwest-to-distribute-arc-weekend-signal.aspx

Best weekend of racing in Europe - trust that the account wagering sites will get their act together and present the cards from Paris on Saturday and Sunday.

British Racing Presenters & Jockeys

I watch the coverage of significant race meetings in Britain on both RacingUK and Channel 4 (available on Justin TV). Here's an interesting story about one of Channel 4's presenters - Emma Spencer - and her former husband Jaime Spencer and the hottest jockey in England today - Hayley Moore.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1268719/Channel-4-racing-host-Emma-Spencer-refuses-interview-winning-jockey-blamed-stealing-husband.html

I am thankful that American media outlets do not cover this part of the racing world here. It would be way too much information.

68th Jersey Derby?

Monmouth Park is claiming this to be the 68th Jersey Derby today. They are only recognizing one Jersey Derby run prior to Garden State Park's opening in 1942. There were numerous Jersey Derby's run at old Monmouth in the 1870s and 1880s won by hall great three year old horses Harry Bassett, Tom Bowling and Spendthrift. The race was run continuously from 1871 to 1879 at least.

Champions Day at Greyville

South African racing season ends today with their Champions Day racing program at Greyville. I've been watching the coverage on Racing International and one nice change from the usual post race coverage has been acknowledgement and appreciation given to the winning horse's groom in the trophy celebration afterwards. You never see any recognition to the grooms in North American or European racing coverage and this neglects an important part of the story of getting horses ready for the races.

Fabulous Frankel

The idea that Juddmonte and Henry Cecil are going to send this horse to run around two turns at the Breeders Cup Mile at Churchill is preposterous. They are not talking about sending him to Churchill at all and plan to run him as a 4 year old. Perhaps if the Breeders Cup is awarded to Belmont Park in 2012 we might get a chance to see this great one.

International Racing Hall of Fame

Each country has their own racing Hall of Fame. How about an International Racing Hall of Fame based in Newmarket or Dubai? Inaugural inductees would be the greatest horses from each country:

Australia - Phar Lap, Makybe Diva

Canada - Northern Dancer

England - Ormonde, Pretty Polly

France - Gladiateur

Germany - Tincino

Hong Kong - Viva Pataca

Hungary - Kincsem

Ireland - Pretty Polly

Italy - Ribot, Nearco

Japan - Deep Impact

United States - Man o' War Citation,Secretariat

I was thinking of this idea when I see the retirement of one of the greatest racers in Hong Kong a few weeks back - Viva Pataca

http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/john-moore-darren-beadman-hong-kong-sha-tin-farewell-for-superstar-viva-pataca/876861/

Grand Prix de Paris

America is not the only country having trouble with historic racing fixtures. If you go back and review newspapers in late June from the late 19th century into the first half of the 20th century, you will invariably see references to the Grand Prix de Paris and the magnificent processions through the Bois de Boulogne to Longchamp where la creme de la creme would turn out for the race.

Sounds like the affair to be held on Thursday (Bastille Day) will be much tamer than the good old days per the article by Alan Shuback in TDN:

http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/racing-news/2011/07/11/international-spotlight-lost-luster-of-grand-prix-de-paris.aspx

The only time when Longchamp attracts a significant crowd is on Arc day and I would guess at least half of that crowd are not locals.

Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006

It has been almost five years now since this horrific piece of legislation passed Congress and was signed into law by President Bush. What strikes me as amazing is that whenever you try to register with a global racing wagering site, you are asked what country you reside in. On the list are such notable liberal nations as North Korea, Iran, Syria and Saudi Arabia but the good old United States is not to be found. The United States stands alone among the nations of the world prohibiting online wagering (with the exception of legalized horse racing sites).

Requiem for the Futurity

John Sparkman in Thoroughbred Times Today has a good piece on the history of what was one of America's greatest races - the Futurity - run for the 122nd time and at the earliest date in its history on July 3 at Belmont Park.

The main point is one hard to reverse - horses are running less every year as 2 year olds and what used to be an abundance of good 2 year old stakes are dwindling down to a handful of races leading up to what is usually the championship decider - the Breeders Cup Juvenile.

http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/racing-news/2011/07/07/moving-the-futurity-from-september-to-july-is-unlikely-to-save-americas-first-great-juvenile-race.aspx

Sensible Plan for Ohio Racing

Bloodhorse has an article with advance knowledge of recommendations by consultants on how horse racing should be operated in the state of Ohio moving forward. Ohio recently passed legislation allowing video lottery terminals at the state's racetracks so it's a good time to implement these recommendations.

Of course I'm sure they will likely be ignored. There is also a lot of talk of current Ohio racetracks "shifting" territory to allow for major metropolitan areas to be covered for VLT's.

Horse Racing needs to have more regional cooperation in the running of race meetings - there's no way the current number of dates will be able to be run with the shrinking horse population.

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/63915/ohio-racing-needs-drastic-changes

The Passing of Radio Race Calls

DRF has published this previously but race calls from Churchill Downs were broadcast on local radio for more than 40 years but have been discontinued. At one time, radio race calls (delayed a few minutes from the actual race) were a daily staple in most cities in the country. I can vividly remember listening to them on KSTP-AM when Canterbury Downs opened in 1985.

A few places might still have them - Oaklawn I think might have them and possibly Keeneland. But they are going the way of newsstands, newspapers, pay phones, and typewriters.

From DRF Website:

Feature off the air

For more than 40 years, the feature race of the day at Churchill was carried on Louisville radio by WHAS (840 AM), except on occasions when a programming conflict arose. Veteran sportscaster Paul Rogers handled the race calls since the legendary Cawood Ledford quit doing them in the mid-1980s.

But in another example of how racing is losing ground in the mainstream media, there is no more daily coverage of Churchill, with the exception of Oaks and Derby days, when WHAS provides extensive coverage. The end of an era owes to a business conflict between Churchill and Clear Channel Corp., the syndicate that owns WHAS.

The Way We Were

New York Times has a nice feature up on their website with classic pictures from racetracks in the 1950's.

lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/06/07/they-had-the-horse-right-here/?scp=3&sq=horse racing&st=cse

Check out slide #12 and the crowd of 53,112 for the final day of racing for the year at Aqueduct.

Who needs Winter Racing? Yea, I know. The great horsemen of the metropolitan area.

Trainer Abuse in Iowa

Trainer ruled off for abusing horses in Iowa. More stewards should take action like this. It happens quite a bit especially now that the horse population is shrinking and tracks are desperate to fill races.

www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/63446/iowa-trainers-license-revoked-by-stewards

At Oaklawn's meeting, trainer David Wakeland at one point had six starts with his horses all beaten by 17 lengths or more. In his 39 starts at Oaklawn dating back to 2009, his horses have lost by a median of 20 lengths. Four of the starts resulted in the horses being distanced. Disgraceful that Oaklawn stewards kept allowing this idiot to start horses at their track.

Sunday, June 5 - North American Racing Preview

Woodbine ha nice card with 3 stakes races and Belmont has good card also with mix of open and NY bred events.

2:04 p.m. ET - Belmont 3rd - Easy Goer has four runners (Mission Impazible scratched) led by Grade I winner Rail Trip in his 2nd start since moving to the Dutrow barn facing Centennial Farms' Convocation, Godolphin's Tahitian Warrior and Bromans' top NY bred Friend Or Foe.

4:41 p.m. ET - Woodbine 8th - 68th Plate Trial - final prep for the June 26 Queen's Plate matches 4 of DRF's Ron Gierkink's Top 10 with Bear Stables' Bear's Chill to flash in orange on the lead with Zayat's Sensational Slam, Charles Fipke's impressive Wando winner Check Your Soul and Martin Schwartz's Bowman's Causeway all trying to run him down in the lane.

5:16 p.m. ET - Woodbine 9th - 56th Woodbine Oaks - 5-2 favs Inglorious faces eight rivals including Bear Stables' Bear Its Time - impressive Lady Angela winner - and the 1-2 finishers in the Fury - Eugene Melynk's Roxy Gap and Glen Hill Farms Marketing Mix trained by Tom Proctor. Stronach Stable also has recent Woodbine maiden winner Abrianna trained by Roger Attfield.

Jerry Brown has got the Woodbine Oaks as his race of the week (hint: Jerry doesn't like Inglorious):

www.thorograph.com

Like Brother, Like Sister

Shackleford's older sister - 4 year old Afleeting Lady - broke her maiden in her 7th lifetime start in the 8th race today at Churchill. She is by Afleet Alex (Shackleford is by Forestry) and this was her first start in the care of Dale Romans.

She paid $41.40 to win.

Homebred Comparison

For the 2011 Epsom Oaks, 9 of the 13 entries could be considered homebreds (If one considers Fork Handles a homebred - bred and trained by Mick Channon but running in the name of Dr. Marwan Koukash). For the 2011 Kentucky Oaks, 4 of the 13 entries were homebred runners.

The situation was reversed for the Epsom Derby with only a couple of homebreds including winner Coolmore's Pour Moi and the Aga Khan's Vadamar. Kentucky Derby featured at least 7 homebreds in the field including winner Animal Kingdom and eventual Preakness winner Shackleford.

Haven't seen any studies comparison of percentage of homebreds racing in UK vs. USA - would be interesting to see.

2011 Epsom Derby

Storylines for the 231st running of the original Derby:

Executive Summary: 13 runners, 2 absolute no-hopers, 2 unlikely longshots, the 2000 Guineas 3rd place finisher, 5 from Coolmore (including one trained in France by Fabre), one each from Godolphin and the Aga Khan and finally, HRH The Queen's entry - Carlton House. Race will be broadcast live on both TVG and HRTV at 11:00 a.m. Eastern time on Saturday - Down the Stretch radio show on Sirius may broadcast race also.

Carlton House - A win would stop the nation - 58 years after finishing 2nd with Aureole (four days after her coronation), the Queen is back with her 10th Derby runner seeking her greatest win.

Castlemorris King - Maiden has no chance

Marhaba Malyoon - Bath Maiden winner has no chance

Masked Marvel - Crafty connections (Gosden-Buick) and Montjeu has already sired two Derby winners

Memphis, Tennessee - One of Coolmore 5 - all in with a chance - this one ridden by 18 year old Joseph O'Brien (Aidan's son)

Native Khan - French bred finished well for 3rd in Frankel's Guineas romp - Guineas has always been best prep for the Derby but Fallon takes off to ride for Coolmore.

Ocean War - Godolphin Blue with Frankie up has won both 3 year old starts but appears overmatched here

Pisco Sour - frontrunning 3rd at 40-1 in the Dante - will give you a run for your money on the front at 50+-1

Pour Moi - Andre Fabre - seeking Derby glory at Epsom after 8 unsuccessful attempts - trained Coolmore entry is co-favs with Carlton House - had spin around Epsom last week that drew raves - another sired by Montjeu and ridden by the hottest jock on the continent - 19 year old Mickael Barzalona.

Recital - Another Coolmore entry, another sired by Montjeu, this one ridden by Fallon (if court case by Native Khan's owners fails Friday) Update: Fallon was banned in court action on Saturday from riding this one - Patrick Smullen will substitute. Could this be British version of Albarado-Johnny V?

Seville - Another Coolmore entry, this one sired by Galileo whose offspring have already won 4 of the 6 classic races run in Europe this spring. Soumillon up.

Treasure Beach - Final Coolmore entry - another sired by Galileo and ridden by Colin O'Donoghue.

Vadamar - The Aga Khan's hope for his fifth Epsom glory to tie his grandfather's mark of Epsom Derby winners and 30 years on from Shergar's dominant win. French trained horse hasn't won since 1976 with Empery.

Saturday, June 4 - North American Racing Preview

4:36 p.m. ET - Woodbine 8th - 56th Nassau - Team Block's 6 year old mare Never Retreat heads north to face the Roger Attfield trained Woodbine stakes winning mares Miss Keller (2nd in the race last year) and Mekong Melody.

4:59 p.m. ET - Churchill 9th - 37th Dogwood - Dilschneider-Claiborne - Stall connections send out favored Might making her stakes debut in her fourth career start. She faces Oaklawn stakes winners the Jayaramans' Holy Heavens and Bret Calhoun trained Gran Lioness along with IEAH's Fantasy of Flight shoved into a stakes race after impressive maiden win on Oaks Day at Churchill.

5:17 p.m. ET - Belmont 9th - 61st Vagrancy - Pletcher-Starlight's Hilda's Passion seeking redemption after running 2nd on Derby Day as 3-5 favs in the Humana Distaff. Phipps filly Streaker and D. Wayne Lukas off the plane Tidal Pool appear to be main rivals among 7 runners.

5:29 p.m. ET - Churchill 10th - 23rd Aristides - Eight sprinters over 6 furlongs with only one non-stakes winner - Good Lord trained by the crafty Forrest Kaelin off an allowance win on the Churchill strip. Atta Boy Roy has been training well at my local track Canterbury and ships in for this. Top 3 finishers from last year's race - Riley Tucker, Atta Boy Roy, and Cash Refund - all return for return engagement.

5:50 p.m. ET - Thistledown 8th - 77th Ohio Derby - 10 three year olds trying to enhance their reputations with two recent impressive maiden winners - Padua's Le Mans and Wests' Global Power - taking on previous stakes winners Caleb's Posse and Wilkinson.

7:38 p.m. ET - Hollywood 8th - 58th Californian - Twirling Candy seeks redemption after troubled Big Cap fifth as 1-2 favs and will face impeded Big Cap runner up Setsuko and Big Cap 4th place finisher Soul Candy and 8th place Spurrier.

Memorial Day Monday - May 30 - American Racing Preview

3:05 p.m. ET - Monmouth 6th - Skip Away - Two lightly raced four years old try to restore reputations after losses - Godolphin's Tahitian Warrior and Estate of Edward Evans' Christmas for Liam who was dueled into defeat in the Westchester and Pletcher has opted for this softer spot rather than trying the Metropolitan. Tahitian Warrior was scratched out of this race.

3:59 p.m. ET - Lone Star 4th - 15th Ouija Board - 6 year old mare Wasted Tears shoots for her 3rd consecutive Ouija Board win off six month layoff.

4:09 p.m. ET - Calder 9th - Memorial Day Handicap - Nine SoFla stalwarts meet in the traditional Calder Memorial Day feature with the head of the SoFla older division - Tackleberry - taking on the nation's best later in the day in the Metropolitan.

4:27 p.m. ET - Lone Star 5th - 15th Valid Expectations - Baffert sends the Pegram owned Irish Gypsy in from SoCal and is listed at even money on the line. Local hopes Gleaming, Cosmo Gal or Tin Top Cat provide significant competition to the shipper.

4:55 p.m. ET - Lone Star 6th - 15th Dallas Turf Cup - Ramsey barn's Dean's Kitten and the Asmussen trained Expansion are the two morning line favorites with Schramsberg looking to do the Connolly-Dallas Turf Cup double to claim top Texas older male turf honors.

4:59 p.m. ET - Churchill 9th - 8th Winning Colors - Sassy Image is 4 for 5 at Churchill for Preakness winning trainer Dale Romans and owner brother Jerry. Marty Wolfson's Stephanie Got Even returns to 6 furlongs in her 3rd start for new connections and there are many others in here with a shot.

5:23 p.m. ET - Lone Star 7th - 13th Cinemine - Morning Line has this down to two - Stall-Dilschneider's Aide who gets back to dirt and the WB Calhoun trained local hope Grandacious.

5:26 p.m. ET - Belmont 9th - 17th Sands Point - Winter Memories makes her 2nd three year old start and faces five tough rivals led by undefeated Naples Bay for Cox-Clement connections.

5:33 p.m. ET - Monmouth 11th - Violet - Clement's Denomination tries to return to winning ways facing Red Oak's Unbridled Essence on her home course.

5:49 p.m. ET - Belmont 10th - 118th Metropolitan - Per usual, a superb renewal of one of America's greatest races. Four New York breds led by Grade I winner Haynesfield in field of 11 - may be a recurring theme with addition of slot money for NYRA. Trainer Cam Gambolati seeks to renew Memorial Day glory 26 years after Spend A Buck's $2 million dollar bonus win in the Jersey Derby. Pletcher has 3 entries, Asmussen with 2 and Luis Olivares only needs Tackleberry.

5:51 p.m. ET - Lone Star 8th - 15th Lone Star Derby - Race run on turf for first time and larger field of 9 will run with no standouts but representatives from Ramsey (Derby Kitten), Farish (Close Ally), Shah-Baffert (Uncle Sam), and Doug O'Neill (Thirtyfirststreet) barns.

6:19 p.m. ET - Lone Star 9th - 15th Lone Star Park Handicap - Baffert's Game On Dude returns to site of his Lone Star Derby win last year facing Asmussen trained Thiskyhasnolimit and West Point's perennial stakes challenger Awesome Gem who ran 2nd in the race last year.

7:15 p.m. ET - Golden Gate 8th - Berkeley - 8 year old Cal bred legend Bold Chieftain tries to win race after finishing 2nd last year facing an eclectic bunch included SoCal shippers Mobilized and Uh Oh Bango (in his turf debut) and San Francisco Handicap wire to wire winner Our Nautique for Hollendorfer.

7:35 p.m. ET - Hollywood 8th - 59th Los Angeles Handicap - three Cal breds favored in here - Amazombie, Cost of Freedom and M One Rifle who have all taken turns beating each other in the past year.

8:05 p.m. ET - Hollywood 9th - 45th Gamely - Spendthrift's Malibu Pier and the Moss' Cozi Rosie renew their rivalry with Dubawi Heights added to the mix making her first Grade I start after winning the Wilshire in last. Hopefully Eclair de Lune will show more life for Arlington's Dickie D. than the miserable showing of Goldwaki on Saturday in the American Handicap.

Saturday, May 28 - North American Racing Preview

4:36 p.m ET - Woodbine 8th - 56th Eclipse features return to Woodbine of Wertheimer & Frere's Exhi who went two for two at the strip last year. Solid six horse field also includes Kinghaven Farms' Fifty Proof and last year's Eclipse winner Southdale.

5:17 p.m. ET - Belmont 9th - 53rd Sheepshead Bay has six sold betting entries led by Godolphin's Hibaayeb, Team Valor's La Luna de Miel and the former South American wonder horse Belle Watling who gets back to a more suitable long distance grass race.

5:29 p.m. ET - Churchill 10th - 74th Louisville Handicap has 5 year old mare Keertana taking on nine male challengers with the most formidable one appearing to be the German bred Musketier trained by Roger Attfield.

5:37 p.m. ET - Arlington 8th - 75th Arlington Matron has wide open field of 10.

6:08 p.m. ET - Arlington 9th - 77th Arlington Classic will be run on yielding turf with three scratches (#8,#10,#11) with favored Wilcox Inn defeating Animal Kingdom in his first start and not winning since.

7:35 p.m. ET - Hollywood 8th - 72nd American Handicap - Sidney's Candy return to the turf facing usual SoCal middle distance turfers including Liberian Freighter and The Usual Q.T. with one new face - Goldwaki - a former Wertheimer & Frere colt bought by Richard Duchossis in his bid to win the 2011 Arlington Million. This is Thorograph's Race of the Week and Jerry's crew doesn't like Sidney's Candy or Goldwaki.

www.thorograph.com

Sagamore Farm and the return of the Cerise Diamonds

New York Times had a nice story on Sunday on Under Armour founder Kevin Plank and his efforts to rebuild the historic Sagamore Farm in Maryland.

Love how the famous cerise diamonds that were part of Alfred Vanderbilt's racing silks have been incorporated into the silks for the new Sagamore.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/22/sports/under-armour-founder-works-to-restore-sagamore-farm.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=sagamore%20farm&st=cse#

http://www.blackburnarch.com/pubs/Mid-Atlantic%20Sagamore.pdf

Sunday, May 22 - US Racing - Slim Pickings

Not a single race worth $100k today in the United States - Woodbine is offering $125k on the New Providence for 3 year old fillies. The Three Coins Up purse at Belmont (9th race - 5:17 p.m. ET) offers a mile and a quarter grass race with familiar names of Grassy, Bold Hawk, and NY bred Wishful Tomcat. Emerald Downs has a matchup of the past two Longacres Mile winners (Noosa Beach and Assessment) in the Governor's Handicap over six and a half furlongs (6th race - 7:50 p.m. ET).

Global Racing - Sunday Morning

A sweep of top quality international action this morning:

The sublime mare Goldikova made her six year old debut a winning one taking the 133rd Prix D'Isapahan at Longchamp by a neck as 3-5 favorite under regular pilot Olivier Peslier - her second consecutive win in the stakes. William Hill has made her 5-2 favs to win her fourth consecutive Breeders Cup Mile at Churchill in November.

Six year old Singapore sprinter Rocket Man finally wins the KrisFlyer International Sprint at Kranji after running 2nd in the race the previous two years. Rocket Man ran away from the field in the stretch to win by four and three quarters lengths as 1-5 favorite. The world traveler Gitano Hernando won the 11th Singapore Cup at 13-1 in the Chechen national colors of President Ramzan Kadyrov.

At the Curragh, Coolmore's So You Think - former Bart Cummings trained Australian super horse - won the 50th Tattersalls Gold Cup by four and a half lengths as 1-7 favs and is now the heavy favorite (7-4 to 5-2) for King George VI & Queen Elizabeth at Ascot in late July. Coolmore and trainer Aidan O'Brien also took the 89th Irish 1000 Guineas running 1-2 with Misty For Me and Together.

Barry Irwin Is Right

Perhaps Barry Irwin's fifteen minutes of fame is over. Perhaps he will never again have the stage to espouse his views on the industry.

But he must given his due. He bred an excellent Derby winner who just came up short in the Preakness. His emphasis on international racing and pedigrees - drug free mind you - is where the sport needs to be in North America. He has discovered many top level horses. Just today at Kranji, Gitano Hernando won the 11th Singapore International Cup - a horse discovered by Team Valor who won the Goodwood at Santa Anita with him and later sold him to current owner Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov. At Longchamp today, the Team Valor owned Brigantin won the Group II Prix Vicomtesse Vigier at 10-1 over a little more than a mile and seven furlongs.

We need more people like Barry Irwin in this sport - even if he is a bit of a jackass.

www.teamvalor.com

Jerry Brown's Preakness Picks...

Aren't posted on his website but his feelings towards Animal Kingdom and Dialed In can be gleaned from article earlier in the week in the NY Post.

Jerry usually gives us his Preakness perspective as Race of the Week on Thorograph website - especially after giving us a "stinker" like his Derby Analysis:

http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/horse_racing/one_expert_bet_against_kingdom_WSRX5UNsKfNEB0njJebZVJ

Preakness Storyline Guide

Astrology - Part of potential "Dead Men Exacta" with Dance City - owner Jess Jackson passed away in April

Norman Asbjornson - Local connections win with longshot Pa-bred sired by Derby-Preakness winner who died after paddock incident last September - part of potential "Dead Sire Exacta" with Astrology (AP Indy)

King Congie - Trainer won Preakness with Bernadini in ill-fated Barbaro year and jockey seeking redemption after yanked late from mount on eventual Derby winner

Flashpoint - Sharp owner/trainer combination will be in the lead and strictly one to catch

Shackleford - Derby frontrunner faces tougher competition early today

Sway Away - Wiseguy horse with jockey who was taken off eventual winner last year

Midnight Interlude - If Baffert hasn't given up on him, why should you?

Dance City - Part of potential "Dead Men Exacta" - owner Edward Evans died in December

Mucho Macho Man - Barn has won only 3 of 56 in 2011 - first female Preakness winning trainer

Dialed In - Derby redemption for beaten fav and five million dollar bonus to boot

Animal Kingdom - the trail to the Triple Crown grail continues

Isn't He Perfect - Longshot winner for Guyana native trainer Doodnauth Shivmangal

Concealed Identity - Local connections hit it big at old Hilltop with a Maryland bred - old Preakness storyline

Mr. Commons - Zenyatta trainer doesn't ship East often - must take long look despite poor draw

Crist Preakness Pick - Dialed In

http://www.drf.com/news/preakness-picks-dialed-can-turn-tables-animal-kingdom

Beyer picks Animal Kingdom in Preakness

http://www.drf.com/news/preakness-should-play-animal-kingdoms-strengths

Brad Free Type Post

Have you noticed that the Juddmonte horses aren't running nearly as well in the United States since Bill Mott took over the stable upon the death of Bobby Frankel at the end of 2009? Good example is the 5 year old mare Acronym who ran a distant 4th in the Monmouth Beach today. Under Frankel as a 3 year old, the filly broke her maiden at Santa Anita and proceeded to win her next two allowance-optional claiming starts at Saratoga and Belmont. Then Mott took over and in the past year and a half has only coaxed a single front running allowance win at Keeneland out of the mare. No Black Type for her. There are many more examples like this and a thorough comparison would be interesting. Not to say that Mott isn't still a capable trainer but any comparison with Frankel will put him in a bad light.

Woodbine Racecourse has hands-down the best simulcast presentation.

The introduction of Betfair in California would likely result in ante-post markets for many races. Based on the Cal-bred Bench Points' win in the Barrera today, would anyone say "Bench Points has a quote of 15-1 for the Cal Cup Classic in October"?

On Saturday on the Roger Stein show he went off on Brad Free after Free wrote something negative about Stein's stallion Terrell.

By the way, Stein said on his Saturday radio show that Michael Baze was a "tortured soul" who was "devastated" by losing the mount on Nehro to Corey Nakatani after his 2nd in the Louisiana Derby.

Someone should listen to Stein's show and post transcripts of it like they do for Rush Limbaugh and Howard Stern. Hmmm....

Future of American Racetracks?

According to Thoroughbred Los Angeles radio show on Sunday morning, there were more than 7,000 at Santa Anita on Saturday for the 3rd Food Truck Festival in 2011.

Racing in Southern California on Saturday was taking place at Hollywood Park where a crowd of 4,397 attended per Equibase to watch Old English Rancho's Acclamation take the Jim Murray Handicap for the second successive year.

Sunday, May 15 - North American Racing Preview/Review

Best races across the continent today:

Churchill - 3rd (12:47 p.m. Central) - Backtalk is out leaving field of four - all very salty sprinters 5 & up with familiar names of Zayat's Riley Tucker, Cash Refund, Chief of Affairs and River Bear.

On sloppy strip, Cash Refund wins duel against Chief of Affairs and always holds Riley Tucker at bay in the lane. Any one of the top three could be seen again in the BC Sprint at Churchill in November.

Woodbine - 8th (3:27 p.m. Central) - 12th running of the La Lorgnette - Josie Carroll trainee Inglorious tries to return to winning circle in her 3rd start of her 3 year old campaign after two losses at the Fair Grounds. She is listed as even money favorite in morning line and faces six rivals including Spooky Kitten who Dale Romans claimed off of the Ramseys at Keeneland in April and is immediately placed in a stakes race.

Inglorious is imperious winning as 3-5 favorite. She is the obvious ante-post favorite for the Woodbine Oaks on June 5 and then may be pointed towards the Alabama at Saratoga on August 20.

Churchill - 9th (3:59 p.m. Central) - Alw NW1X or NW2 for 3 year olds - full field of 12 is great betting race with possibility of emerging star for 3 year old events later in year.

9-5 favs Wilburn wins holding off Infrattini late to give trainer Steve Asmussen his 400th winner at Churchill Downs. Both likely to return in the Matt Winn at Churchill on Foster Day.

Hollywood - 3rd (4:03 p.m. Central) - 18th running Lazaro Barrera Memorial has five 3 year old runners over 7 furlongs - two from the Baffert barn and West Point's Runflatout makes his 3rd start after flopping going long as 5-2 in the San Felipe.

6-5 favorite Bench Points rally late to nail stalker Runflatout on the line with both Baffert colts off the board. Be interesting if connections move Bench Points back to two turns in the Swaps on July 9 or point towards Triple Bend at 7 furlongs on July 2.

Monmouth - 10th (4:03 p.m. Central) - Monmouth Beach - Six runners highlighted by Live Oak's Successful Song ridden by Edgar Prado away from riding at Belmont and Juddmonte's Acronym coming off an optional claiming win at Keeneland.

Three horses hit the wire together with 7-2 frontrunner CC's Pal coming back at the end to hold on over Sweet N Sour Nina and Successful Song and give the Derek Ryan trainee her first win since last June.

Belmont - 9th (4:17 p.m. Central One Count Stakes - mile and a quarter prep for the Brooklyn Handicap on June 10 features 2010 Belmont Stakes winner Drosselmeyer attempting to win first start since in his third race of 3 year old campaign while facing five rivals.

Post time for race moved up due to incoming rain at Belmont. "Drosselmeyer a victor once again at Belmont Park" is Tom Durkin's call as the 2010 Belmont Stakes winner gets his first win since that day over a game frontrunner Birdrun in a Bill Mott stable Civil War. Expect Drosselmeyer in the Brooklyn Handicap on June 10.

Latest Preakness Betting

Here are the latest odds on the Preakness from UK betting (where ante-post betting is conducted regularly and in a civilized manner):

Animal Kingdom 7/4

Dialed In ranges from 11/2 to 6-1

Mucho Macho Man 11/2 to 7-1

Dance City 6-1 to 12-1

Shackleford 8-1 to 10-1

Flashpoint 12-1 to 16-1

Midnight Interlude 16-1 to 20-1

Mr. Commons 16-1 to 20-1

Sway Away 14-1 to 20-1

Astrology 20-1 to 25-1

King Congie 25-1

Concealed Identify 16-1 to 20-1

Norman Asbjornson 33-1 to 50-1

Isn't He Perfect 50-1 to 66-1

HORSES IN TRAINING - EXPECTED NEXT STARTS FOR TOP HORSES - MAY 14

Acclamation - 5yo h - Warren - EW Johnston - Whittingham - Hollywood - June 11

Acting Happy - 4yo f - R Dutrow - Jay Em Ess - turned out for summer - return for fall campaign

Alternation - 3yo c- D Von Hemel - Pin Oak

Amazombie - 5yo g - Spawr - Spawr & Sanford - Triple Bend - Hollywood - July 2

Animal Kingdom - 3yo c- Motion - Team Valor - Preakness - Pimlico - May 21

Atta Boy Roy - 6yo c - Lund - Schaefer - working for return at Turf Paradise through April

Awesome Feather - 3yo f - Chad Brown - Stronach - uncertain return - retirement likely

Awesome Maria - 4yo f- Pletcher - Robsham - working at Belmont

Behkabad - 4yo c - Royer-Dupre - Aga Khan

Better Than Ever - 4yo g - Laxon - Jupiter Stable -

Big Drama - 4yo c - Fawkes - Queen - in light training - possible for defense of Sprint Smile - July 10 Calder

Bind - 3yo c - Stall - Claiborne -

Biofuel - 4yo f - Baker - Brereton Jones - main summer goal - Delaware Handicap - Delaware Park - July 16

Black Caviar - 4yo m - Moody - Wilkie, Errett Bloodstock, et al - Doomben 10,000 - Doomben - May 28

Blind Luck - 4yo f - Hollendorfer - DeDomenico, Carver & Hollendorfer -

Bourbon Bay - 5yo h - Drysdale - Heerenspergers -

Boys at Tosconova - 3yo c - R Dutrow - Jay Em Ess - at Emerald Farm - return to Dutrow barn in summer - fall campaign to be planned

Bribon - 7yo g - Pletcher -Derrick Smith - no recent works since start in Barbados Gold Cup on March 5

Buena Vista - 5yo m - Matsuda - Sunday Racing - Victoria Mile - May 15 - Tokyo Racecourse

Byword - 5yo h - Fabre - Juddmonte -

Canford Cliffs - 4yo c - Hannon - Heffer Synd, Roy, et al - Queen Anne - June 14 - Royal Ascot - then Sussex - July 27 - Goodwood

Cape Blanco - 4yo c - O'Brien - Coolmore -

Capt. Candyman Can - 5yo g - Wilkes - Rausch & Zell

Carlton House - 3yo c- Stoute - The Queen - Derby - Epsom - June 4

Champ Pegasus - 5yo h - R. Mandella - Diamond A Racing & Vargas -

Cost of Freedom - 7 yo g - Sadler - Barber -

Crown of Thorns- 6 yo h - R Mandella - B. Wayne Hughes - Metropolitan - Belmont - May 30

D'Funnybone - 4yo c - R. Dutrow - Pompa - True North - Belmont - June 10

Dialed In - 3yo c - Zito - LaPenta - Preakness - Pimlico - May 21
Dick Turpin - 4yo c - Hannon - Manley - Prix d'Ispahan - Longchamps - May 22

Dream Ahead - 3yo c - Simcock - Dasmal - possible for Irish 2000 Guineas - Curragh - May 22 - aimed at stakes in 2nd half of 2011

Duke of Mischief - 5yo h - Fawkes - Lieblongs - working at Calder

Espoir City - 6yo h - Adachi -

Fabulous Strike - 8yo g - Beattie -

Fantasia - 5yo m - Sheppard - Strawbridge - working for Belmont or Saratoga return

First Dude - 4yo c - Baffert - Dizney - main goal is BC Classic - Churchill - Nov 5

Flashpoint - 3yo c - Ward - Peachtree - Preakness - Pimlico - May 21

Fluke - 6yo h - Ascanio - Bozano - Shoemaker Mile - Hollywood - July 2

Frankel - 3yo c - H Cecil - Juddmonte - St. James Palace - Royal Ascot - June 14 - then Juddmonte International - York - August 17

Gayego - 6yo h - Suroor - Godolphin -

Giant Oak - 5yo c- Block - Virginia Tarra Trust - Foster - Churchill Downs - June 18

Gio Ponti - 6yo h - Clement - Castleton Lyons - working at Belmont - Manhattan - Belmont Park - June 11

Goldikova - 6yo m - F. Head - Wertheimers - Prix d'Ispahan - Longchamps - May 22 - then Queen Anne - Royal Ascot - June 14 - long range goal is defense of BC Mile - Churchill - Nov 5

Good Ba Ba - 9yo g - Schutz - Yuen -

Havre De Grace - 4yo f - L Jones - Fox Hill Farms - main summer goal - Delaware Handicap - Delaware Park - July 16

Helleborine - 3yo f - Head-Maarek - Juddmonte - Poule d'Essai Des Pouliches (French 1000 Guineas - Longchamp - May 15

Ice Box - 4yo c - Zito - LaPenta - working at Palm Meadows through April

Life At Ten - 6yo m - Pletcher - Candy DeBartolo - working at Belmont

Machen - 3yo c - Howard - Courtlandt -

Maclean's Music - 3yo c - Asmussen - Stonestreet -

Midday - 5yo m - Cecil - Juddmonte - Coronation Cup - Royal Ascot - June 3 - main target BC F&M - Churchill - Nov 4

Moonlight Cloud - 3yo f - Fabre - Strawbridge -

More Joyous - 4yo m - Waterhouse - Singleton -

Mucho Macho Man - 3yo c - K Ritvo - Reeves & Dream Team Racing Stable - Preakness - Pimlico - May 21

Overdose - 7yo h- Ribarszki - Mikoczy - Temple Stakes - Haydock - May 21 - then King's Stand - Royal Ascot - June 14

Payton d'Oro - 5yo m - Larry Jones - Ferris & Presley - working at Del Park - likely to be pointed towards Delaware Handicap - Delaware Park - July 16

Plum Pretty - 3yo f - Baffert - Peachtree

Poet's Voice - 4yo c - Suroor - Godolphin

Presious Passion - 8yo g - Hartmann - Generazio - working at Monmouth

Presvis - 7 yo g - Cumani - Marinopoulos - Singapore Airlines Cup - Kranji - May 22

Rail Trip - 6yo h - Dutrow - Jay Em Ess Stable - working in New York - will be ready for start in June or July

Rainbow View - 5yo m- Shepherd - Augustin - no recent works

Recital - 3yo c - O'Brien - Coolmore - Derby - Epsom - June 4

Red Desire - 5yo m - Matsunaga -

Redding Colliery - 5yo h- McLaughlin - no recent works - was training at Palm Meadows during December

Regal Ransom - 5yo h - Suroor - Godolphin -

Reve d'Essor - 3yo f - Matsuda - Sunday Racing -

R Heat Lightning - 3yo f - Pletcher - Robsham -

Richard's Kid - 5yo h - Baffert - Zabeel -

Rocket Man - 6 yo g - Patrick Shaw - Crabbia - KrisFlyer International Sprint - Kranji - May 22 - then possible for Golden Jubilee - Royal Ascot - June 18

St. Trinians - 5yo m - Mitchell - Capen & Chavers - working at Hollywood Park - Milady - Hollywood Park - May 21

Saamidd - 3yo c - Suroor - Godolphin -

Secret Gypsy - 6yo m - Werner - Richland Hills -

Sidney's Candy - 4yo c - Hollendorfer - Craig - Hollywood Gold Cup - July 9

Smiling Tiger - 4yo c- Bonde - Klein & Lebherz - Metropolitan - Belmont - May 30

Snow Fairy - 4yo f - Ed Dunlop - Anamoine Limited - Pretty Polly - Curragh - June 25

So You Think - 5yo h - A. O'Brien - Coolmore - Tattersalls Gold Cup - Curragh - May 22 - then Coral - Eclipse - Sandown - July 2

Switch - 4yo f - Sadler - CRK Stable -

Tackleberry - 4 yo c - Olivares - Metropolitan - Belmont - May 30 - working at Calder

The Factor - 3yo c - Baffert - Bolton - Woody Stephens - Belmont - June 10

The Usual Q.T. - 5yo h - Cassidy - American Handicap - Hollywood - May 28

Trappe Shot - 4yo c- McLaughlin - Mill House - True North - Belmont - June 10

Turbo Compressor - 3yo c - Pletcher - P&G Stable - being pointed for Haskell -Monmouth - July 31

Turbulent Descent - 3yo f - Puype - Blinkers On Racing Stable - Acorn - Belmont - June 11 - then Test - Saratoga - August 6 - longterm goal - BC F&M Sprint - Churchill - Nov 4

Twice Over - 6yo h - H. Cecil - Juddmonte -

Twirling Candy - 4yo c- Sadler - Craig - no works in a month - next race TBD

Uncle Mo - 3yo c - Pletcher - Repole - at WinStar Farm - next start TBD

Vineyard Haven - 5yo h - Suroor - Godolphin - will return as 5 year old

White Moonstone - 3yo f - Suroor - Godolphin -

Wigmore Hall - 4yo g - Bell - Hawtin - Singapore Airlines Cup - Kranji - May 22

Witty - 5yo m - Mandella - Claiborne Farm & Dilschneider - injured - out until 2011

Wooten Bassett - 3yo c - Fahey - Brady & Cosmic Cases - Poule d'Essai des Poulains (French 2000 Guineas) - Longchamp - May 15

Workforce - 4yo c - Stoute - Juddmonte - Brigadier Gerard - Sandown - May 26

World Domination - 3yo c - H Cecil - Juddmonte - King Edward VII - Royal Ascot - June 16

Animal Kingdom and the American Triple Crown

I have Fred Stone's "The American Triple Crown" painting displayed prominently in my home. I pretty sure that Andrew Beyer has the same painting displayed in his home based on my recollections of an interview done with him.

The painting displays the eleven American Triple Crown winners from Sir Barton in 1919 (when the term "Triple Crown" had not yet been coined to 1978 when Affirmed was the last horse to win the series. Each year at this time time - immediately after the Kentucky Derby - I gaze at the painting (which I had Fred Stone sign at Hollywood Park one day) and wonder if this is the year that the painting will become obsolete - when it will no longer be an accurate portrait of the all American Triple Crown winners.

There have been eleven "near-misses" since Affirmed. Starting with the next year - 1979 - when the great Spectacular Bid supposedly stubbed his hoof on a safety pin in the Belmont to the epic failure of Big Brown in the 2008 Belmont, eleven have entered the starting gate in the Belmont with a chance to make Stone's painting obsolete. None have made it - the closest being the Baffert trained duo of Silver Charm-Real Quiet who were run down in the shadow of the wire.

So there have been 11 American Triple Crown winners and 11 Near-Misses in the 32 years since Affirmed last won the Crown. 9 of the 11 Triple Crown winners were homebreds raced in familiar racing colors of Samuel Riddle, Belair, Calumet, John Hertz, King Ranch, Meadow Stable, and Harbor View. Only 2 of the 11 Near Misses were homebreds - Thomas Mellon's Pleasant Colony and the Chapmans' Smarty Jones.

This trend reflects the change in racing ownership away from owners who bred and raced their horses to a racing industry dominated by commercial breeders. No one could make a reasonable argument that horse racing has benefited from this change and a plausible case can be made that this change has been the most significant reason for the decline of American thoroughbred breeding and racing in the past half-century.

And now we have Animal Kingdom - a homebred conceived originally in the mind of Barry Irwin - head honcho of Team Valor. In many ways, this horse is a "throwback" - from the breeding to the training methods of Graham Motion - to the methods which the nine homebred Triple Crown winners from 1930 to 1977 were bred and trained. The most glaring exception - of course - is the small number of starts that Animal Kingdom has made to reach this point of his career - five starts. The nine homebred Triple Crown winners raced an average of more than fourteen starts up to their first Triple Crown series win. The two homebred Near Misses had nine (Pleasant Colony) and seven starts (Smarty Jones) after winning the Kentucky Derby.

Five starts and the Derby is won by Animal Kingdom. Big Brown had four starts after his Derby win. This is the question that all the wiseguys will be focusing on during the next week - the potential for a "bounce". This is why Animal Kingdom will not be Jerry Brown's top choice for the Preakness and the Rag heads are already chiming in: "Chances are, he did nothing more than put together a knock-out number that will result in a big bounce in Baltimore" - Bob Ehalt in his Ragozin Insider column in Thoroughbred Times Today (May 14, 2011).

The "Baltimore Bounce" angle is the dominant question on how a horseplayer views the Preakness next Saturday.

The DRF's Glenye Cain Oakford writes an excellent story on the breeding behind Animal Kingdom in this week's DRF Saturday supplement:

http://www.drf.com/news/irwin-wins-kentucky-derby-maverick-way