Inside international horse racing paddocks with form expert Susan Trevelyan-Syke
Americas 2009 The Greatest Boost for USA Racing: RA and Z
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Why Zenyatta and Not Rachel Alexandra?
Zenyatta, first female winner of the Breeders' Cup Classic in its
26-year history, with her jockey Mike Smith and groom Mario
Espinoza. Racingfotos Limited
Whilst most Americans expect Rachel Alexandra USA (Megdaglia D'Oro USA) to win both the USA Eclipse Best 3yo Filly and Horse of the Year awards given the acknowledged preferences of those voting, international racegoers would have chosen Zenyatta USA (Street Cry IRE) on the basis of her high international 128 rating, 14 wins for 14 career races and her easy victory in the Breeders' Cup Classic against some of the best horses in the world (except for top-rated Sea The Stars IRE (Cape Cross IRE who did not race)).
Her class, authority and style reminded one of STS as was noted by his trainer John Oxx who conceded that Zenyatta would have had a home advantage in a match between the two.
Internationals do not have prejudices against winning in fillies' races, winning races locally, not travelling great distances between racecourses, winning on All Weather instead of Dirt, not competing in certain favourite Eastern races and not racing against and beating one other great filly.
They just look at overall performances against top-quality horses, such as, the international horses in the BCC just as an objective ratings' handicapper would.
That may explain why Associated Press, JDG, TT and Facebook chose Zenyatta.
In no way does it mean that they do not love or admire Rachel Alexandra, but it gives a clue as to why most of us wanted both horses to share the Eclipse HOY award.
We did not want to see one of the two outstanding fillies slighted.
The incredible Rachel Alexandra wipes out the colts in the $1,250,000 Haskell Invitational including Belmont Stakes winner Summer Bird by six lengths in near-record time. Jockey Calvin Borel gives his habitual winning finger. Photo Bill Denver/Equi-Photo.
Females Dominate
For the first time in North American history, two females are the leading thoroughbred earners, according to Equibase Company LLC (official database for racing information).
Zenyatta topped the list with $3,330,000 and Rachel Alexandra was second with $2,746,914.
Rachel Alexandra's trainer Steve Asmussen won a single-season record 650 races out of 2,944 starts and earned $21,876,405.
Garrett Gomez was leading jockey with $18,571,171 winnings for 210 out of 967 mounts for the fourth consecutive year.
Michael Gill won 370 races from 2,247 starts and earned $6,669,950 to lead all owners.
Juddmonte Farms Inc was second with 27 wins out of 116 starts and earnings of $6,525,818.
Zenyatta Second to Serena Williams
Clearly the editor-members of the Associated Press got their priorities wrong when they chose tennis ace Serena Williams over Zenyatta USA (Street Cry IRE) as their top Female Athlete of the Year. Rachel Alexandra USA (Megdaglia D'Oro USA) was seventh.
Zenyatta's winning 14-for-14 record is demeaned when she has to take second place to a human female after beating all the boys (except for the one who didn't show).
She does not even throw tantrums to get attention.
Jour de Galop Readers' Horses of the Year
Everyone is getting into the act. Readers of Jour de Galop, respected French breeding publication, voted their JDG Awards for the year.
Basic criterium for the awards was the highest-standard of international performances.
There was no surprise that Sea The Stars IRE (Cape Cross IRE) was first. He was followed by three fabulous fillies: Goldikova IRE (Anabaa USA), Zenyatta USA (Street Cry IRE) and Dar Re Mi (Singspiel IRE).
DRM, who won and then unfairly lost a Group 1 race in France, sparked an international scandal which pressured French racing to harmonize their Rules with the rest of the world.
The injured and now-retired winner of the Prix du Jockey Club, Le Havre IRE (Noverre USA), was fifth.
Oddly enough, all the horses were bred from Darley and Gainsborough (Anabaa) Stud horses.
They chose five French-breds as top jumps horses: the late Rendons Grace, Remember Rose, Questarabad, Rock Noir and Mon Mone who won the English Grand National for English trainer Venetia Williams.
Zenyatta's Facebook Triumph
JDG also did a survey of popularity of horses in Facebook and Zenyatta has 8,284 fans--more than any other horse in history including Sea The Stars who is second with 7,457, Seabiscuit third, Rachel Alexandra fourth at 6,016, Zarkava fifth and Secretariat sixth.
Thoroughbred Times' Readers Chose Zenyatta "Best of 2009"
In the "Best of 2009" categories, 3,797 online readers of the Thoroughbred Times voted from 29 countries (8.4% of total vote) and joined 40+ states to choose Zenyatta as best horse, her Breeders' Cup Classic as best race, her owners Jerry and Ann Moss as best owners and her trainer John Shiffeffs best trainer.
Readers voted Calvin Borel the best jockey and his rail-skimming Kentucky Derby on Mine That Bird USA (Birdstone USA) the best ride by a jockey all year.
PR Battle for US HOY Heats Up
Since the Eclipse Committee refused to consider a Co-Horse of the Year award for both Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra in January, their supporters have developed media polls, press releases, public appearances by the two lovelies and generous contributions to lucky charities as part of their winning strategy.
The Daily Racing Form ran a poll with Zenyatta winning by 65% despite most of their writers preferring Rachel Alexandra.
Time magazine chose Rachel Alexandra as Number 5 in The Top 10 Everything of 2009 and annointed her Phenomenal Filly with a fleeting mention of Zenyatta.
With Zenyatta safely retired, Rachel's owner Jess Jackson confidently challenged Zenyatta to a best out of three on any ground.
Jackson should be careful of what he wishes since Zenyatta is still working out for her many public appearances "for all the horse organizations and our industry. She is really giving back to help her other horse friends who need a bit of support right now," according to Dottie Ingordo-Shirreffs, wife of Zenyatta's trainer and racing manager for her owners Jerry and Ann Moss.
Beneficiary charities are CANTER (the Communication Alliance to Network Thoroughbred Ex-Racehorses), the Racetrack Chaplaincy and Re-Run.
Rachel Alexandra's connections have sent a $20,000 check to The V Foundation for Cancer Research concluding its five-month-long, online auction of donated Rachel Alexandra items.
The filly's new owner Jess Jackson said, "This is a rare opportunity for us to use the notoriety of this amazing athlete, her appeal to both men and women, to raise money for a disease that steals from us all."
A great deal of good is coming from the competition between these two worthy megastars.
It almost makes up for the stupid, divisive decision to exclude one from being honoured.
Summer Bird Injured
Summer Bird ran a fine fourth to Zenyatta in the Breeders' Cup Classic and was shipped to Japan to race in the Japan Dirt Mile.
The promising three-year old fractured his leg and requires surgery. His life is not threatened, but he may never race again.
Race to be Renamed for Zenyatta
The race that Zenyatta won two years in a row, the Grade 1 Lady's Secret Stakes at Santa Anita's Oak Tree Meet, will be renamed for her in honor of her 14 victories out of 14 starts which included the Breeders' Cup Classic.
The race was originally named for the great mare Lady's Secret who won the Breeders' Cup Distaff in 1986 and was named Horse of the Year.
Many lament that the great daughter of Secretariat, Lady's Secret, should be shunted aside. Another race might have been more appropriate.
Oak Tree executive vice president Sherwood Chillingworth said "We feel strongly that Zenyatta should be Horse of the Year. Her brilliance is undeniable and we are proud to rename this prestigious race in her honor."
All credit to those living West of the Rockies who are going all out fighting for fairness for their filly Zenyatta and to honor her even if the HOY does not.
Eclipse Committee Voted NO on Co-HOY
A proposal to name Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta as joint Horse of the Year honorees, was defeated by a 2-1 vote of the three organisations that present the award.
The Daily Racing Form supported the co-award and he National Thoroughbred Racing Association and the National Turf Writers Association opposed.
"Split" votes will not be counted.
"Team Zenyatta" Won Big Sport of Turfdom
(Read about Zenyatta's Breeders' Cup Classic triumph on Breeders' Cup link.)
Owners Jerry and Ann Moss, John Shirreffs, his wife Dottie and jockey Mike Smith were named "Team Zenyatta" winners of the 2009 Big Sport of Turfdom award voted by the Turf Publicists of America for cooperation with the media in enhancing race coverage.
The first team award was to "Team Cigar" in 1996.
Dottie Ingordo Shirreffs is racing manager for Jerry and Ann Moss. She and her bloodstock agent son David Ingordo found and arranged the purchase of Zenyatta for $60,000 as a yearling.
Zenyatta will be honoured at her home track, Hollywood Park on November 29. She will parade between races and fans in attendance will receive a DVD entitled "Zenyatta, A Living Legend" and posters "Girl Power, Go Zenyatta" will be distributed.
There is no doubt Californians are grateful for their racing champion and are fighting for her chance to be Horse of the Year against the East Coast voting advantage for Rachel Alexandra.
One might assume that Turf Publicists of America are also putting on a little pressure for fair voting, because Rachel's connections are also very cooperative with the media.
Both of the fillies have been a godsend to racing.
Eclipse Award Controversy
Sadly, the US racing community appears torn amongst three choices for Eclipse Horse of the Year: Rachel Alexandra of the East Coast, Zenyatta of the West Coast and a Co-HOY Award.
The Chairman of the Eclipse Committee refuses to consider a Co-HOY Award leaving the two factions to fight it out.
Rachel has an advantage in that 70% of the voters are from the East Coast.
If one must make a choice, most members of the media believe that Zenyatta should win on the basis of 14-out-of-14 victories and her annihilating Breeders' Cup Classic win.
Not only has the East vs West Coast rivalry been re-ignited, the ongoing refusal to allow many of the most knowledgeable writers and radio/television commentators to vote has been revived with a vengeance.
The public is not allowed to participate as it does in the Cartier Awards.
Both fillies have excited the world with their racing charisma and incredible accomplishments as well as bringing the crowds to racetracks.
In the best interests of US and international racing, members of the Eclipse Committee should find a fair, flexible and magnanimous solution which would honour both fillies in honour of the racing public.
The Committee would be wise to open up its membership and voting rights to all the media and public.
How well the Cartier Awards function without all this unnecessary angst!
Champs Elysees Wins Canadian International
Juddmonte's British-bred Champs Elysees (Danehill USA), trained by the USA's Robert Frankel, beat two British horses, Jukebox Jury IRE (Montjeu IRE) and Buccellati (Soviet Star USA), in the Grade 1 Canadian International, 1m4f at Woodbine.
The 6yo will now retire to Juddmonte Farm's Banstead Manor Stud in Newmarket after a career that started in France and ended on a winning note in the Americas.
He is out of the outstanding broodmare Hasili and is brother to horses Dansili and Cacique and to mares Intercontinental and Banks Hill.
Rachel Alexandra The Great
No one could dispute the race announcer's final "And the winner is.....Rachel Alexandra.....The Great."
For the 31,171 racegoers at Saratoga Springs, it was a nerve-wracking close call.
The daughter of Darley's Megdaglio D'Oro made her 'legacy' as the only three-year-old filly ever to win the Grade 1 Woodbine Stakes, 1m1f, by a neck in grueling quarter fractions ending in a fast 1.48.29 finish.
She joined the legendary Kelso, Forego, Seattle Slew, Affirmed, Spectacular Bid and Cigar as a winner.
Rachel Alexandra left no question of her superiority as the Horse of the Year and she did it the hard way.
Connections of the older, more experienced males said they intended to take her out if they could.
So the sporting filly went after leader Da'Tara, Belmont Stakes winner in 2008, and challenged all comers to come and get her.
Wave after wave of males tried.
Calvin Borel, her jockey, gave her the briefest breather at the final turn and before the most serious onslaught of determined Macho Again and Bullsbay.
Bullsbay was first to crumble after rear-to-second grey streak Macho Again got to her and dueled with her midstrech to the line.
Borel got serious with the whip: five taps left, fourteen right and shoulder stroking. (They really were 'just taps' on the cloth to keep her going.)
The little filly outran them all.
I learned she had won with difficulty, reminiscent of the Preakness, before I went to sleep in London. In the morning, I read how difficult the race was for her before watching the taped race. I burst into tears at her final turn and, as many times as I viewed the tape, I could not control my emotions at the punishment she took from her challengers.
What guts! What sheer, incredible guts!
Her trainer Steve Asmussen said this--his 4,984th victory was the most special.
"I thought she truly showed she was a champion today. Nothing compares to that, and I don't know whether it's right now or what. Maybe it's just everybody rooting on her, maybe it's how brave Jess (Jackson, her owner)
has been, maybe it's just how good she is."
It is just how good she is.
Despite promoters pushing a Belmont Beldame showdown with Zenyatta, Jackson will not commit to running her again this year, but wants to race her at four.
"I've got an instinct to try and put another hurdle up to see if she can achieve it." he said.
Borel had to dismount in the post parade when Rachel was spooked by the exuberant crowd. He remounted and took a turn to calm her down.
It is time to give this little filly a rest. Borel admits she is tired. She has won five Grade 1s on a bounce and has nothing more to prove.
She is Rachel Alexandra The Great forever more.
UPDATE: The Great One is tired, resting, lying down a lot according to her trainer and is not likely to race again this year.
A Horse For All Seasons has eaten up and ready to go according to his trainer John Oxx, but then he only had five races this year to win his five Group 1s.
A wise person once said that females had to accomplish twice as much to be an equal to a male.
September 7, 2009
Pyro Gave Godolphin Its Fourth Grade 1 in 2009
In his first race in 2009 and second start for Godolphin, four-year-old Pyro USA (Pulpit USA) streaked from second last to win the Grade 1 $300,000 Forego Stakes by a half length over Kodiak Kowboy USA (Posse USA) and covered the seven furlongs in 1:21:48.
It is Pyro's first Grade 1; he has many graded victories last year as a three-year old including the Louisiana Derby, Risen Star and Northern Dancer.
Pyro provided Godolphin with its fourth Grade 1 at the Saratoga Springs meet and brought them to eight wins out of 14 starters.
"It's been one of those magical meets" said Rick Mettee, Godolphin assistant trainer. "You really appreciate it after the Belmont meet we had."
"It's her show."
No matter what the American colts do or prove, the trainer of Grade 2 winner Cool Coal Man Nick Vito, delivered the definitive words on Rachel Alexandra's attempt to make "legacy" in defeating older males in the Grade 1 Woodward at Saratoga September 5.
"It's her show." said Vito.
She will face six males: Cool Coal Man, Asiatic Boy, Bullsbay, Macho Again, Past The Point and It's A Bird--no not a Birdstone, but a Birdonthewire multiple graded stakes winner.
RA was joined by an adoring crowd plus connections to her rivals at an early-morning track workout for a easy half-mile in 49.09 seconds under regular exercise rider Dominic Terry.
Her five-eigths and six furlongs of the previous two Mondays were described as "bullet".
Kiaran McLaughlin, whose Asiatic Boy is one of her potential victims Saturday, joked that "They don't get this big a crowd in the afternoon at Belmont."
Besotted trainer Steve Asmussen suggested "They should make a training video of her as beautifully as she goes. She's a special filly. A beautiful horse. She really is."
If she pulls off this race, as beautiful as she is, a new active transitive verb will enter the American language "to Rachel". She is lethal.
"Like I said, it's her show, but we'll try hard to beat her. There are a lot of tough horses in there and she won't have an easy time." said Vito.
B.......!
Still she is rated 129+ RPR--the highest Dirt horse in 2009.
Read more below (with her photo) and at Super Fillies.
Summer Bird Makes Belmont-Travers Double
Luckily for Summer Bird USA (Birdstone USA), Rachel Alexandra USA (Megdaglia D'Oro USA) bypassed the Shadwell Travers Stakes (Grade 1) 1m2f on Dirt for 3yo.
He won the $1 million Saratoga race by 3-1/2 lengths in 2min 2.83seconds took the Belmont-Travers double as his sire Birdstone did in 2004 and earned himself a 127 RPR for his effort.
Rachel is the world's highest rated Dirt horse at 129+ for the Haskell followed by Well Armed USA (Tiznow USA) for his Dubai World Cup victory.
Summer Bird's jockey Kent Desormeaux said "You saw the real Summer Bird today."
Trainer Tim Ice couldn't contain his pleasure "It's a great thrill. The feeling from the Belmont and today are comparable." "This horse and Kent I think belong together."
Summer Bird, as a winner of two Grade 1s in 2009, is now pro-temp leader of the three-year-old colt division and a major contender for the Breeders' Cup Classic on November 7. Since the race is on Santa Anita's Pro-Ride surface, he will not have to race against America's Sweetheart who prefers Dirt.
Then again, admirers of the five-year-old mare Zenyatta USA (Street Cry IRE) could prevail and SB could be facing her on her favourite surface and home ground.
He will definitely face his half brother Mine That Bird USA (Birdstone USA) at Santa Anita.
MTB has been reunited with jockey Calvin Borel who gave the healing colt a four-furlong workout at 51.16 seconds at Saratoga. Borel is booked to ride him in the $350,000 Goodwood Stakes on October 10 and the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic on November 7, according to trainer Chip Woolley.
Borel's booking is the best indicator that Rachel Alexandra will not be in the same race with SB and MTB on November 7.
MTB is flying to Texas to lead the post parade for the $2 million All-American Futurity for Quarter Horses and then home to New Mexico.
Summer Bird will van to Belmont Park to train for the $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup Octerber 3 with Desormeaux on board and is likely to skip the Grade 1 Goodwood at Santa Anita on October 10 as his jockey is committed to a ride at Keeneland.
Ice, assured that SB loves Belmont, has no worries about his racing on Pro-Ride. He trained on it before being sent to Ice.
It is apparent that the two Birds are the best colts of the year, but even with the two daunting American fillies out of the way for the Breeders' Cup Classic, they will have to face a serious European challenge of Turf horses who adapt well to Pro-Ride, i.e., last year's winner Raven's Pass USA (Elusive Quality USA).
Though their interim races are well planned for success avoiding each other and Rachel, the season finale looks bumpy for the flashy chestnut and his unlucky half brother.
Curlin's Part-Owners Finally Jailed for Fraud
It is a pity that the great horse Curlin USA (Smart Strike CAN), Horse of the Year in 2007 and 2008, should be mentioned in every article about his part-owners William Gallion and Shirley Cunningham Jr, disbarred as lawyers, and their "unbridled greed" in defrauding over 400 clients entitled to a $200 million settlement with the manufacturer of fen-phen.
Gallion and Cunningham have been sentenced to 25 years and 20 years respectively in US federal prison without parole. They have been ordered to repay more than $127 million in restitution and $30 million to the government.
Jess Jackson bought the majority shares in Curlin, but was restricted by the court from buying Gallion and Cunningham's shares until the case was tried.
Their shares in Curlin, named after Cunningham's great-grandfather Charlie Curlin who was a slave who fought in the American Civil War, and Einstein BRA (Spend A Buck USA) will be sold to pay off the settlements.
Rachel Alexandra to Skip Travers for Woodward 9/5
Rachel Alexandra's (Megdaglia D'Oro USA) connections have decided to skip the Shadwell Travers Stakes (Grade 1) on August 20 for the Woodward Stakes (Grade 1) against older colts on September 5.
If she wins, she will become the first filly to do so in the 45-year history of the race.
Mine That Bird USA (Birdstone USA) has come through his epiglotal surgery very well and has been frisky on the racecourse. It is still doubtful he will compete in the Travers.
Update: Mine That Bird will skip the Travers.
Desperate promoters have been working overtime to set up a match between the East Coast's Rachel and West Coast's Zenyatta USA (Street Cry IRE) on any grounds and any terms. Neither owner seems interested.
Meanwhile, both Rachel and Zenyatta (and almost all the boys except Sea The Stars IRE (Cape Cross IRE) and Rip Van Winkle IRE (Galileo IRE) have been bested by the four-year-old filly Goldikova IRE (Anabaa USA).
Goldikova posted a 130 Racing Post Handicap in the Prix Jacques Le Marois at Deauville against the colts--the highest for a filly in a decade.
Can Rachel make up the 3lb or best Goldikova in the Woodward?
Zenyatta is Pure Class: 12-out-of-12 Starts
There were frightening moments when no one thought the indomitable five-year-old mare could make it past the unyielding 22.1 shot Anabaa's Creation Ire (Anabaa USA) to win her 12th start in the Grade 1, $300,000 Clement L Hirsch Stakes, 1m-1/2f, AW, Sunday on Del Mar's Polytrack.
At stake was the 12-out-of-12 unbeaten race record of the formidable AW West Coast star Zenyatta's USA (Street Cry Ire).
Zenyatta's jockey Mike Smith said, "Did I scare ya?" to trainer John Shirreffs when she finally won the race by a head in a photo finish.
The mare did win the race with little thanks to her jockey who, with fellow joker Calvin Borel, has managed to mess up the last three races of Mine That Bird USA (Birdstone USA) with bad judgments.
It was Zenyatta's class, huge stride, will to win and incredible speed that finally took the race. She could have left the jockey behind.
In a race with no pace, her jockey made an ill-timed run from the back of and around the pack. He admitted he misjudged the oppostion.
To overcome a sure defeat, Zenyatta put in blistering, closing fractions that officials estimate were 22.49 seconds or about a staggering 40 miles per hour in the last quarter mile.
Masses of fans sent Zenyatta off with cheers from the paddock and later jammed the terraces above the Winner's Circle to hail the 'phenomenon' upon her triumphal return.
Sherreffs said "What Zenyatta has done is incredible. To race at a high level, in Grade 1 competition, and continue to win over and over is a measure of her class and constitution."
This is her sixth Grade 1 win.
She may race in the Lady's Secret at Santa Anita's Oak Tree meeting to prepare to defend her Ladies Classic title in the Breeders' Cup.
Before moving on, her connections need to either shake up her jockey or find one worthy of her.
Arlington Park's Winning Prizes Remain in US Hands
European trainers who sent their charges to Arlington Park for its feature Grade 1 international races: the Beverly D Stakes, the $500,000 Secretariat Stakes and the Arlington Million have no reason apologise. In two of the races they came close to winning.
Top-earnings' US jockey Kent Desormeaux (over $10 million) was their nemesis in the first two races taking a double on Dynaforce USA (Dynaformer USA) in the Beverly D Stakes and Take The Points USA (Even the Score USA out of Ginger Ginger and Fred Astaire) in the Secretariat Stakes.
Dynaforce ran on strongly to prevail over Alain de Royer-Dupre' Alnadana Ire (Danehill Dancer Ire) by a length in the 1m 1-1/2f turf race for 3y0+ fillies and mares. Dermot Weld's Mad About You Ire (Indian Ridge) faded.
Aiden O'Brien's respected Black Bear Island Ire (Sadler's Wells USA) could not manage a third-in-a-row victory for Europe in the 1m 2f Secretariat Stakes on grass. He was pipped by progressive Take The Points who built on his third in the West Virginia Derby (article below).
Europe had better luck with a French-transplant Christophe Clement who trained the favourite and winner of the iconic Arlington Million, 1m 2f, on grass for 3yo+.
Almost 30,000 attended the race to see four-year-old Gio Ponti USA (Tale of the Cat USA) prove himself the top grass horse in the US under Ramon Dominguez with his fourth successive Grade 1 this year by a length and a quarter.
Outsider Just As Well USA (AP Indy USA) took second by a head and Britain's beloved Stotsfold (Barathea Ire), who just lost second, was sent off at an insulting 28.1.
Jockey Adam Kirby described Stotsfold as "a very special horse and he owes me absolutely nothing. He is such a gentleman."
Luca Cumani's Cima De Triomphe Ire (Galileo Ire) came fourth after getting fractious and drifting. Einstein BRZ (Spend A Buck USA) was fifth and France's Gloria De Campeao BRZ (Impression ARG) seventh.
Clement who trained under Cumani in Newmarket now has a turf horse in Gio Ponti that America can believe in as a possible victor over Europe's best in the Breeders' Cup Turf, 1m 4f, though he has never raced that far.
Desormeaux mused that American jockeys have now learned how to beat the European turf horses: go as slow as you want three quarters through and then just take off.
Clement was not ready to consider beating any more European horses at the moment. He just wants to enjoy the day and not think that far (Breeders' Cup) ahead.
Godolphin Filly Lands Grade 1 Test Stakes
Flashing USA (AP Indy USA) gave Godolphin its second worldwide Grade 1 of the year and its second in a week in the Saratoga Test Stakes, 7f, on dirt.
The three-year-old was homebred at the Gainsborough Farm LLC out of Morning Pride Ire (Machiavellian USA).
She showed her mettle in a powerful late run to see off the favourites under Richard Migliore and will remain in the USA to race. Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford describes her as "very brave".
She has now won two of her three career starts only losing to Rachel Alexandra in the Belmont Stakes.
Rachel Alexandra Super Filly
As if we had not suspected how good America's Darling Rachel Alexandra USA (Megdaglia D'Oro USA) is, she proved it by taking out another Birdstone colt by six lengths and left the rest of a water-logged field far behind her flying hooves.
Six lengths was just one length short of the record winning distance and she was just short of record time.
Who could believe the delicate looking three-year old filly could act with contempt not only on good dirt ground, but also on the frightening ground conditions that saw a horse euthenised and two jockeys injured?
After merely beating Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird USA (Birdstone USA) in the Preakness by one length, she annihilated his half brother Summer Bird USA (Birdstone USA) in the $1 million Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park August 2.
Summer Bird defeated Mine That Bird in the Belmont Stakes.
Mine That Bird's latest hapless adventure is noted in the article below.
They will all meet at the Shadwell Travers Stakes at Saratoga August 20.
I shall repeat my final line from the preview article on the Haskell.
My money is on Rachel.
Zenyatta Rated 125
The International Federation of Horseracing Authorities has elevated the magnificent five-year-old mare Zenyatta USA (Street Cry Ire), unbeaten in all her nine races, to a 125 Rating making her the world's highest-rated female.
She has earned £1,238,043 on AW for her owners Mr and Mrs Jerome Moss and trainer John Sherreffs.
Her jockey Mike Smith has taken a good share of those earnings as he has been on board Zenyatta for eight of her nine victories.
Smith has replaced Calvin Borel as retained jockey for Mine That Bird USA (Birdstone USA). He guided MTB to within a length of three-year-old Rachel Alexandra USA (Megdaglia D'Oro USA), rated at 122 on Dirt, in the Belmont Stakes.
Soul Warrior Wins WV Derby
Soul Warrior (Lion Heart), never out of allowance company, covered the dirt mile in 1m51.46s to trounce both Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird (Birdstone) and favourite Big Drama (Montbrook) in the Grade 2 West Virginia Derby, 1m1f, for three-year olds.
Substitute jockey Dale Beckner said "This is my greatest win in 20 years of riding. To beat horses of this calibre--wow!"
In contrast, it is trainer Steve Asmussen's third WV Derby win in five years.
Big Drama had a massive lead on all the horses, but was worn down by a surprisingly effective grinder who has come in second twice and first once in three of his only four career starts.
Since he did not race at two, he did remarkably well with so little experience against two horses who have won at and have had so many more high-level races than he.
MTB's jockey Mike Smith admitted his loss was due to "just total rider error".
Trainer Chip Woolley refused to blame the jockey and said that "my horse did the same thing at the Belmont Stakes. When he got daylight to run, he tries to run."
"What worked so well for us at the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness was getting him behind horses, which prevents him from moving too soon. Until we do that again, we're going to have problems."
MTB will likely be meeting Rachel Alexandra (Megdaglia D'Oro) at the Shadwell Travers Stakes at Saratoga on August 20.
So could Big Drama who was beaten into fifth by her in the Preakness.
Will Steve Asmussen send his grinder to contest her?
Arlington Million--Godolphin's Gladiatorus USA (Silic Fr), rated at 127 by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities, was withdrawn from the Arlington Million with a foot corn and will probably race in the Prix Jacques Le Marois on August 16 if he has recovered.
Cima De Triomphe Ire (Galileo Ire), Gloria De Campeao Brz (Impression Arg) and Stotsfold (Barathea) will travel from Europe to the States to challenge America's top Turf horse Gio Ponti USA (Tale Of The Cat USA) in the international Arlington Million at Arlington Park, Illinois, on August 8.
Stotsfold won his last 10f race in June, but was beaten by Cima De Triomphe in May.
Godolphin's on a Roll
Cocoa Beach Chi (Doneraile Court USA) skipped the Go For Wand Handicap, won by Godolphin's Seventh Street USA (Street Cry USA), for the De La Rose Stakes (Listed), 1m turf, at Saratoga.
It proved the right decision. Rick Mantee, North American racing manager for Godolphin said, "We thought a mile turf race would set her up better for down the road. She really needed her last start (fourth at Belmont Park June 21 over 1m 1/2f)."
A problem in her hindquarters has been sorted and she has now won four of her six starts in the USA.
One of her losses came from Zenyatta USA (Street Cry USA) in the Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic at Santa Anita in 2008.
Godolphin's First Grade 1 in 2009
Leave it to a daughter of Street Cry Ire, Seventh Street USA, to break the Grade 1 barrier for Godolphin this year on the muddy Saratoga ground.
She joins his other stellar mare Zenyatta in fighting fiercely to win her races. The Go For Wand Handicap, 1m1f, on dirt for 3yo+f/m, is her second Grade 1.
She won the Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn in April for her former trainer Kiaran McLaughlin before she was switched to Godolphin.
McLaughlin produced another winner for Sheikh Mohammed in the Fourstardave Handicap, Grade 2, 1m1/2f, turf for 3yo+.
Justenuffhumor USA (Distorted Humor USA), in Darley colours, scored by two and a half lengths over outsider Mambo Meister and favourite Cowboy Cal for his first graded-stakes' win.
Battle of Hastings--beat Straight Story USA (Giant's Causeway USA) in the Virginia Derby (Grade 2) on Turf, 1m 2f, by a head.
This was the second Straight Story defeat by him; he lost the Colonial Cup in June.
Winning those first two races of the four in the Grand Slam Grass $5 million bonus (purses included), the British-bred Royal Applause gelding must also take the August 8 Secretariat at Arlington Park and the Breeders' Cup Turf at Santa Anita November 7 to earn the bonus.
Mine That Bird
The Kentucky Derby winner has a new jockey. Mike Smith, who rode him in the Preakness when regular jockey Calvin Borel defected to the winner Rachel Alexandra USA (Medaglio D'Oro USA), will replace Borel when MTB USA (Birdstone USA) races in the West Virginia Derby at Mountaineer Park on August 1 and the Travers Stakes at Saratoga on August 29.
Smith could have a conflict if both MTB and the four-year-old unbeaten filly Zenyatta USA (Street Cry Ire) go for the Breeders' Cup Classic.
He has been her jockey through her incredible career including winning the BC Fillies and Mares race last year and owes her first loyalty.
So one of the finest, unluckiest and hard-done-by geldings, MTB, may be the loser again.
My sympathies to his connections and all of us who missed having a U.S. Triple Crown winner this year thanks to at least four jockeys.
Zenyatta, first female winner of the Breeders' Cup Classic in its
26-year history, with her jockey Mike Smith and groom Mario
Espinoza. Racingfotos Limited
Whilst most Americans expect Rachel Alexandra USA (Megdaglia D'Oro USA) to win both the USA Eclipse Best 3yo Filly and Horse of the Year awards given the acknowledged preferences of those voting, international racegoers would have chosen Zenyatta USA (Street Cry IRE) on the basis of her high international 128 rating, 14 wins for 14 career races and her easy victory in the Breeders' Cup Classic against some of the best horses in the world (except for top-rated Sea The Stars IRE (Cape Cross IRE who did not race)).
Her class, authority and style reminded one of STS as was noted by his trainer John Oxx who conceded that Zenyatta would have had a home advantage in a match between the two.
Internationals do not have prejudices against winning in fillies' races, winning races locally, not travelling great distances between racecourses, winning on All Weather instead of Dirt, not competing in certain favourite Eastern races and not racing against and beating one other great filly.
They just look at overall performances against top-quality horses, such as, the international horses in the BCC just as an objective ratings' handicapper would.
That may explain why Associated Press, JDG, TT and Facebook chose Zenyatta.
In no way does it mean that they do not love or admire Rachel Alexandra, but it gives a clue as to why most of us wanted both horses to share the Eclipse HOY award.
We did not want to see one of the two outstanding fillies slighted.
The incredible Rachel Alexandra wipes out the colts in the $1,250,000 Haskell Invitational including Belmont Stakes winner Summer Bird by six lengths in near-record time. Jockey Calvin Borel gives his habitual winning finger. Photo Bill Denver/Equi-Photo.
Females Dominate
For the first time in North American history, two females are the leading thoroughbred earners, according to Equibase Company LLC (official database for racing information).
Zenyatta topped the list with $3,330,000 and Rachel Alexandra was second with $2,746,914.
Rachel Alexandra's trainer Steve Asmussen won a single-season record 650 races out of 2,944 starts and earned $21,876,405.
Garrett Gomez was leading jockey with $18,571,171 winnings for 210 out of 967 mounts for the fourth consecutive year.
Michael Gill won 370 races from 2,247 starts and earned $6,669,950 to lead all owners.
Juddmonte Farms Inc was second with 27 wins out of 116 starts and earnings of $6,525,818.
Zenyatta Second to Serena Williams
Clearly the editor-members of the Associated Press got their priorities wrong when they chose tennis ace Serena Williams over Zenyatta USA (Street Cry IRE) as their top Female Athlete of the Year. Rachel Alexandra USA (Megdaglia D'Oro USA) was seventh.
Zenyatta's winning 14-for-14 record is demeaned when she has to take second place to a human female after beating all the boys (except for the one who didn't show).
She does not even throw tantrums to get attention.
Jour de Galop Readers' Horses of the Year
Everyone is getting into the act. Readers of Jour de Galop, respected French breeding publication, voted their JDG Awards for the year.
Basic criterium for the awards was the highest-standard of international performances.
There was no surprise that Sea The Stars IRE (Cape Cross IRE) was first. He was followed by three fabulous fillies: Goldikova IRE (Anabaa USA), Zenyatta USA (Street Cry IRE) and Dar Re Mi (Singspiel IRE).
DRM, who won and then unfairly lost a Group 1 race in France, sparked an international scandal which pressured French racing to harmonize their Rules with the rest of the world.
The injured and now-retired winner of the Prix du Jockey Club, Le Havre IRE (Noverre USA), was fifth.
Oddly enough, all the horses were bred from Darley and Gainsborough (Anabaa) Stud horses.
They chose five French-breds as top jumps horses: the late Rendons Grace, Remember Rose, Questarabad, Rock Noir and Mon Mone who won the English Grand National for English trainer Venetia Williams.
Zenyatta's Facebook Triumph
JDG also did a survey of popularity of horses in Facebook and Zenyatta has 8,284 fans--more than any other horse in history including Sea The Stars who is second with 7,457, Seabiscuit third, Rachel Alexandra fourth at 6,016, Zarkava fifth and Secretariat sixth.
Thoroughbred Times' Readers Chose Zenyatta "Best of 2009"
In the "Best of 2009" categories, 3,797 online readers of the Thoroughbred Times voted from 29 countries (8.4% of total vote) and joined 40+ states to choose Zenyatta as best horse, her Breeders' Cup Classic as best race, her owners Jerry and Ann Moss as best owners and her trainer John Shiffeffs best trainer.
Readers voted Calvin Borel the best jockey and his rail-skimming Kentucky Derby on Mine That Bird USA (Birdstone USA) the best ride by a jockey all year.
PR Battle for US HOY Heats Up
Since the Eclipse Committee refused to consider a Co-Horse of the Year award for both Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra in January, their supporters have developed media polls, press releases, public appearances by the two lovelies and generous contributions to lucky charities as part of their winning strategy.
The Daily Racing Form ran a poll with Zenyatta winning by 65% despite most of their writers preferring Rachel Alexandra.
Time magazine chose Rachel Alexandra as Number 5 in The Top 10 Everything of 2009 and annointed her Phenomenal Filly with a fleeting mention of Zenyatta.
With Zenyatta safely retired, Rachel's owner Jess Jackson confidently challenged Zenyatta to a best out of three on any ground.
Jackson should be careful of what he wishes since Zenyatta is still working out for her many public appearances "for all the horse organizations and our industry. She is really giving back to help her other horse friends who need a bit of support right now," according to Dottie Ingordo-Shirreffs, wife of Zenyatta's trainer and racing manager for her owners Jerry and Ann Moss.
Beneficiary charities are CANTER (the Communication Alliance to Network Thoroughbred Ex-Racehorses), the Racetrack Chaplaincy and Re-Run.
Rachel Alexandra's connections have sent a $20,000 check to The V Foundation for Cancer Research concluding its five-month-long, online auction of donated Rachel Alexandra items.
The filly's new owner Jess Jackson said, "This is a rare opportunity for us to use the notoriety of this amazing athlete, her appeal to both men and women, to raise money for a disease that steals from us all."
A great deal of good is coming from the competition between these two worthy megastars.
It almost makes up for the stupid, divisive decision to exclude one from being honoured.
Summer Bird Injured
Summer Bird ran a fine fourth to Zenyatta in the Breeders' Cup Classic and was shipped to Japan to race in the Japan Dirt Mile.
The promising three-year old fractured his leg and requires surgery. His life is not threatened, but he may never race again.
Race to be Renamed for Zenyatta
The race that Zenyatta won two years in a row, the Grade 1 Lady's Secret Stakes at Santa Anita's Oak Tree Meet, will be renamed for her in honor of her 14 victories out of 14 starts which included the Breeders' Cup Classic.
The race was originally named for the great mare Lady's Secret who won the Breeders' Cup Distaff in 1986 and was named Horse of the Year.
Many lament that the great daughter of Secretariat, Lady's Secret, should be shunted aside. Another race might have been more appropriate.
Oak Tree executive vice president Sherwood Chillingworth said "We feel strongly that Zenyatta should be Horse of the Year. Her brilliance is undeniable and we are proud to rename this prestigious race in her honor."
All credit to those living West of the Rockies who are going all out fighting for fairness for their filly Zenyatta and to honor her even if the HOY does not.
Eclipse Committee Voted NO on Co-HOY
A proposal to name Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta as joint Horse of the Year honorees, was defeated by a 2-1 vote of the three organisations that present the award.
The Daily Racing Form supported the co-award and he National Thoroughbred Racing Association and the National Turf Writers Association opposed.
"Split" votes will not be counted.
"Team Zenyatta" Won Big Sport of Turfdom
(Read about Zenyatta's Breeders' Cup Classic triumph on Breeders' Cup link.)
Owners Jerry and Ann Moss, John Shirreffs, his wife Dottie and jockey Mike Smith were named "Team Zenyatta" winners of the 2009 Big Sport of Turfdom award voted by the Turf Publicists of America for cooperation with the media in enhancing race coverage.
The first team award was to "Team Cigar" in 1996.
Dottie Ingordo Shirreffs is racing manager for Jerry and Ann Moss. She and her bloodstock agent son David Ingordo found and arranged the purchase of Zenyatta for $60,000 as a yearling.
Zenyatta will be honoured at her home track, Hollywood Park on November 29. She will parade between races and fans in attendance will receive a DVD entitled "Zenyatta, A Living Legend" and posters "Girl Power, Go Zenyatta" will be distributed.
There is no doubt Californians are grateful for their racing champion and are fighting for her chance to be Horse of the Year against the East Coast voting advantage for Rachel Alexandra.
One might assume that Turf Publicists of America are also putting on a little pressure for fair voting, because Rachel's connections are also very cooperative with the media.
Both of the fillies have been a godsend to racing.
Eclipse Award Controversy
Sadly, the US racing community appears torn amongst three choices for Eclipse Horse of the Year: Rachel Alexandra of the East Coast, Zenyatta of the West Coast and a Co-HOY Award.
The Chairman of the Eclipse Committee refuses to consider a Co-HOY Award leaving the two factions to fight it out.
Rachel has an advantage in that 70% of the voters are from the East Coast.
If one must make a choice, most members of the media believe that Zenyatta should win on the basis of 14-out-of-14 victories and her annihilating Breeders' Cup Classic win.
Not only has the East vs West Coast rivalry been re-ignited, the ongoing refusal to allow many of the most knowledgeable writers and radio/television commentators to vote has been revived with a vengeance.
The public is not allowed to participate as it does in the Cartier Awards.
Both fillies have excited the world with their racing charisma and incredible accomplishments as well as bringing the crowds to racetracks.
In the best interests of US and international racing, members of the Eclipse Committee should find a fair, flexible and magnanimous solution which would honour both fillies in honour of the racing public.
The Committee would be wise to open up its membership and voting rights to all the media and public.
How well the Cartier Awards function without all this unnecessary angst!
Champs Elysees Wins Canadian International
Juddmonte's British-bred Champs Elysees (Danehill USA), trained by the USA's Robert Frankel, beat two British horses, Jukebox Jury IRE (Montjeu IRE) and Buccellati (Soviet Star USA), in the Grade 1 Canadian International, 1m4f at Woodbine.
The 6yo will now retire to Juddmonte Farm's Banstead Manor Stud in Newmarket after a career that started in France and ended on a winning note in the Americas.
He is out of the outstanding broodmare Hasili and is brother to horses Dansili and Cacique and to mares Intercontinental and Banks Hill.
Rachel Alexandra The Great
No one could dispute the race announcer's final "And the winner is.....Rachel Alexandra.....The Great."
For the 31,171 racegoers at Saratoga Springs, it was a nerve-wracking close call.
The daughter of Darley's Megdaglio D'Oro made her 'legacy' as the only three-year-old filly ever to win the Grade 1 Woodbine Stakes, 1m1f, by a neck in grueling quarter fractions ending in a fast 1.48.29 finish.
She joined the legendary Kelso, Forego, Seattle Slew, Affirmed, Spectacular Bid and Cigar as a winner.
Rachel Alexandra left no question of her superiority as the Horse of the Year and she did it the hard way.
Connections of the older, more experienced males said they intended to take her out if they could.
So the sporting filly went after leader Da'Tara, Belmont Stakes winner in 2008, and challenged all comers to come and get her.
Wave after wave of males tried.
Calvin Borel, her jockey, gave her the briefest breather at the final turn and before the most serious onslaught of determined Macho Again and Bullsbay.
Bullsbay was first to crumble after rear-to-second grey streak Macho Again got to her and dueled with her midstrech to the line.
Borel got serious with the whip: five taps left, fourteen right and shoulder stroking. (They really were 'just taps' on the cloth to keep her going.)
The little filly outran them all.
I learned she had won with difficulty, reminiscent of the Preakness, before I went to sleep in London. In the morning, I read how difficult the race was for her before watching the taped race. I burst into tears at her final turn and, as many times as I viewed the tape, I could not control my emotions at the punishment she took from her challengers.
What guts! What sheer, incredible guts!
Her trainer Steve Asmussen said this--his 4,984th victory was the most special.
"I thought she truly showed she was a champion today. Nothing compares to that, and I don't know whether it's right now or what. Maybe it's just everybody rooting on her, maybe it's how brave Jess (Jackson, her owner)
has been, maybe it's just how good she is."
It is just how good she is.
Despite promoters pushing a Belmont Beldame showdown with Zenyatta, Jackson will not commit to running her again this year, but wants to race her at four.
"I've got an instinct to try and put another hurdle up to see if she can achieve it." he said.
Borel had to dismount in the post parade when Rachel was spooked by the exuberant crowd. He remounted and took a turn to calm her down.
It is time to give this little filly a rest. Borel admits she is tired. She has won five Grade 1s on a bounce and has nothing more to prove.
She is Rachel Alexandra The Great forever more.
UPDATE: The Great One is tired, resting, lying down a lot according to her trainer and is not likely to race again this year.
A Horse For All Seasons has eaten up and ready to go according to his trainer John Oxx, but then he only had five races this year to win his five Group 1s.
A wise person once said that females had to accomplish twice as much to be an equal to a male.
September 7, 2009
Pyro Gave Godolphin Its Fourth Grade 1 in 2009
In his first race in 2009 and second start for Godolphin, four-year-old Pyro USA (Pulpit USA) streaked from second last to win the Grade 1 $300,000 Forego Stakes by a half length over Kodiak Kowboy USA (Posse USA) and covered the seven furlongs in 1:21:48.
It is Pyro's first Grade 1; he has many graded victories last year as a three-year old including the Louisiana Derby, Risen Star and Northern Dancer.
Pyro provided Godolphin with its fourth Grade 1 at the Saratoga Springs meet and brought them to eight wins out of 14 starters.
"It's been one of those magical meets" said Rick Mettee, Godolphin assistant trainer. "You really appreciate it after the Belmont meet we had."
"It's her show."
No matter what the American colts do or prove, the trainer of Grade 2 winner Cool Coal Man Nick Vito, delivered the definitive words on Rachel Alexandra's attempt to make "legacy" in defeating older males in the Grade 1 Woodward at Saratoga September 5.
"It's her show." said Vito.
She will face six males: Cool Coal Man, Asiatic Boy, Bullsbay, Macho Again, Past The Point and It's A Bird--no not a Birdstone, but a Birdonthewire multiple graded stakes winner.
RA was joined by an adoring crowd plus connections to her rivals at an early-morning track workout for a easy half-mile in 49.09 seconds under regular exercise rider Dominic Terry.
Her five-eigths and six furlongs of the previous two Mondays were described as "bullet".
Kiaran McLaughlin, whose Asiatic Boy is one of her potential victims Saturday, joked that "They don't get this big a crowd in the afternoon at Belmont."
Besotted trainer Steve Asmussen suggested "They should make a training video of her as beautifully as she goes. She's a special filly. A beautiful horse. She really is."
If she pulls off this race, as beautiful as she is, a new active transitive verb will enter the American language "to Rachel". She is lethal.
"Like I said, it's her show, but we'll try hard to beat her. There are a lot of tough horses in there and she won't have an easy time." said Vito.
B.......!
Still she is rated 129+ RPR--the highest Dirt horse in 2009.
Read more below (with her photo) and at Super Fillies.
Summer Bird Makes Belmont-Travers Double
Luckily for Summer Bird USA (Birdstone USA), Rachel Alexandra USA (Megdaglia D'Oro USA) bypassed the Shadwell Travers Stakes (Grade 1) 1m2f on Dirt for 3yo.
He won the $1 million Saratoga race by 3-1/2 lengths in 2min 2.83seconds took the Belmont-Travers double as his sire Birdstone did in 2004 and earned himself a 127 RPR for his effort.
Rachel is the world's highest rated Dirt horse at 129+ for the Haskell followed by Well Armed USA (Tiznow USA) for his Dubai World Cup victory.
Summer Bird's jockey Kent Desormeaux said "You saw the real Summer Bird today."
Trainer Tim Ice couldn't contain his pleasure "It's a great thrill. The feeling from the Belmont and today are comparable." "This horse and Kent I think belong together."
Summer Bird, as a winner of two Grade 1s in 2009, is now pro-temp leader of the three-year-old colt division and a major contender for the Breeders' Cup Classic on November 7. Since the race is on Santa Anita's Pro-Ride surface, he will not have to race against America's Sweetheart who prefers Dirt.
Then again, admirers of the five-year-old mare Zenyatta USA (Street Cry IRE) could prevail and SB could be facing her on her favourite surface and home ground.
He will definitely face his half brother Mine That Bird USA (Birdstone USA) at Santa Anita.
MTB has been reunited with jockey Calvin Borel who gave the healing colt a four-furlong workout at 51.16 seconds at Saratoga. Borel is booked to ride him in the $350,000 Goodwood Stakes on October 10 and the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic on November 7, according to trainer Chip Woolley.
Borel's booking is the best indicator that Rachel Alexandra will not be in the same race with SB and MTB on November 7.
MTB is flying to Texas to lead the post parade for the $2 million All-American Futurity for Quarter Horses and then home to New Mexico.
Summer Bird will van to Belmont Park to train for the $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup Octerber 3 with Desormeaux on board and is likely to skip the Grade 1 Goodwood at Santa Anita on October 10 as his jockey is committed to a ride at Keeneland.
Ice, assured that SB loves Belmont, has no worries about his racing on Pro-Ride. He trained on it before being sent to Ice.
It is apparent that the two Birds are the best colts of the year, but even with the two daunting American fillies out of the way for the Breeders' Cup Classic, they will have to face a serious European challenge of Turf horses who adapt well to Pro-Ride, i.e., last year's winner Raven's Pass USA (Elusive Quality USA).
Though their interim races are well planned for success avoiding each other and Rachel, the season finale looks bumpy for the flashy chestnut and his unlucky half brother.
Curlin's Part-Owners Finally Jailed for Fraud
It is a pity that the great horse Curlin USA (Smart Strike CAN), Horse of the Year in 2007 and 2008, should be mentioned in every article about his part-owners William Gallion and Shirley Cunningham Jr, disbarred as lawyers, and their "unbridled greed" in defrauding over 400 clients entitled to a $200 million settlement with the manufacturer of fen-phen.
Gallion and Cunningham have been sentenced to 25 years and 20 years respectively in US federal prison without parole. They have been ordered to repay more than $127 million in restitution and $30 million to the government.
Jess Jackson bought the majority shares in Curlin, but was restricted by the court from buying Gallion and Cunningham's shares until the case was tried.
Their shares in Curlin, named after Cunningham's great-grandfather Charlie Curlin who was a slave who fought in the American Civil War, and Einstein BRA (Spend A Buck USA) will be sold to pay off the settlements.
Rachel Alexandra to Skip Travers for Woodward 9/5
Rachel Alexandra's (Megdaglia D'Oro USA) connections have decided to skip the Shadwell Travers Stakes (Grade 1) on August 20 for the Woodward Stakes (Grade 1) against older colts on September 5.
If she wins, she will become the first filly to do so in the 45-year history of the race.
Mine That Bird USA (Birdstone USA) has come through his epiglotal surgery very well and has been frisky on the racecourse. It is still doubtful he will compete in the Travers.
Update: Mine That Bird will skip the Travers.
Desperate promoters have been working overtime to set up a match between the East Coast's Rachel and West Coast's Zenyatta USA (Street Cry IRE) on any grounds and any terms. Neither owner seems interested.
Meanwhile, both Rachel and Zenyatta (and almost all the boys except Sea The Stars IRE (Cape Cross IRE) and Rip Van Winkle IRE (Galileo IRE) have been bested by the four-year-old filly Goldikova IRE (Anabaa USA).
Goldikova posted a 130 Racing Post Handicap in the Prix Jacques Le Marois at Deauville against the colts--the highest for a filly in a decade.
Can Rachel make up the 3lb or best Goldikova in the Woodward?
Zenyatta is Pure Class: 12-out-of-12 Starts
There were frightening moments when no one thought the indomitable five-year-old mare could make it past the unyielding 22.1 shot Anabaa's Creation Ire (Anabaa USA) to win her 12th start in the Grade 1, $300,000 Clement L Hirsch Stakes, 1m-1/2f, AW, Sunday on Del Mar's Polytrack.
At stake was the 12-out-of-12 unbeaten race record of the formidable AW West Coast star Zenyatta's USA (Street Cry Ire).
Zenyatta's jockey Mike Smith said, "Did I scare ya?" to trainer John Shirreffs when she finally won the race by a head in a photo finish.
The mare did win the race with little thanks to her jockey who, with fellow joker Calvin Borel, has managed to mess up the last three races of Mine That Bird USA (Birdstone USA) with bad judgments.
It was Zenyatta's class, huge stride, will to win and incredible speed that finally took the race. She could have left the jockey behind.
In a race with no pace, her jockey made an ill-timed run from the back of and around the pack. He admitted he misjudged the oppostion.
To overcome a sure defeat, Zenyatta put in blistering, closing fractions that officials estimate were 22.49 seconds or about a staggering 40 miles per hour in the last quarter mile.
Masses of fans sent Zenyatta off with cheers from the paddock and later jammed the terraces above the Winner's Circle to hail the 'phenomenon' upon her triumphal return.
Sherreffs said "What Zenyatta has done is incredible. To race at a high level, in Grade 1 competition, and continue to win over and over is a measure of her class and constitution."
This is her sixth Grade 1 win.
She may race in the Lady's Secret at Santa Anita's Oak Tree meeting to prepare to defend her Ladies Classic title in the Breeders' Cup.
Before moving on, her connections need to either shake up her jockey or find one worthy of her.
Arlington Park's Winning Prizes Remain in US Hands
European trainers who sent their charges to Arlington Park for its feature Grade 1 international races: the Beverly D Stakes, the $500,000 Secretariat Stakes and the Arlington Million have no reason apologise. In two of the races they came close to winning.
Top-earnings' US jockey Kent Desormeaux (over $10 million) was their nemesis in the first two races taking a double on Dynaforce USA (Dynaformer USA) in the Beverly D Stakes and Take The Points USA (Even the Score USA out of Ginger Ginger and Fred Astaire) in the Secretariat Stakes.
Dynaforce ran on strongly to prevail over Alain de Royer-Dupre' Alnadana Ire (Danehill Dancer Ire) by a length in the 1m 1-1/2f turf race for 3y0+ fillies and mares. Dermot Weld's Mad About You Ire (Indian Ridge) faded.
Aiden O'Brien's respected Black Bear Island Ire (Sadler's Wells USA) could not manage a third-in-a-row victory for Europe in the 1m 2f Secretariat Stakes on grass. He was pipped by progressive Take The Points who built on his third in the West Virginia Derby (article below).
Europe had better luck with a French-transplant Christophe Clement who trained the favourite and winner of the iconic Arlington Million, 1m 2f, on grass for 3yo+.
Almost 30,000 attended the race to see four-year-old Gio Ponti USA (Tale of the Cat USA) prove himself the top grass horse in the US under Ramon Dominguez with his fourth successive Grade 1 this year by a length and a quarter.
Outsider Just As Well USA (AP Indy USA) took second by a head and Britain's beloved Stotsfold (Barathea Ire), who just lost second, was sent off at an insulting 28.1.
Jockey Adam Kirby described Stotsfold as "a very special horse and he owes me absolutely nothing. He is such a gentleman."
Luca Cumani's Cima De Triomphe Ire (Galileo Ire) came fourth after getting fractious and drifting. Einstein BRZ (Spend A Buck USA) was fifth and France's Gloria De Campeao BRZ (Impression ARG) seventh.
Clement who trained under Cumani in Newmarket now has a turf horse in Gio Ponti that America can believe in as a possible victor over Europe's best in the Breeders' Cup Turf, 1m 4f, though he has never raced that far.
Desormeaux mused that American jockeys have now learned how to beat the European turf horses: go as slow as you want three quarters through and then just take off.
Clement was not ready to consider beating any more European horses at the moment. He just wants to enjoy the day and not think that far (Breeders' Cup) ahead.
Godolphin Filly Lands Grade 1 Test Stakes
Flashing USA (AP Indy USA) gave Godolphin its second worldwide Grade 1 of the year and its second in a week in the Saratoga Test Stakes, 7f, on dirt.
The three-year-old was homebred at the Gainsborough Farm LLC out of Morning Pride Ire (Machiavellian USA).
She showed her mettle in a powerful late run to see off the favourites under Richard Migliore and will remain in the USA to race. Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford describes her as "very brave".
She has now won two of her three career starts only losing to Rachel Alexandra in the Belmont Stakes.
Rachel Alexandra Super Filly
As if we had not suspected how good America's Darling Rachel Alexandra USA (Megdaglia D'Oro USA) is, she proved it by taking out another Birdstone colt by six lengths and left the rest of a water-logged field far behind her flying hooves.
Six lengths was just one length short of the record winning distance and she was just short of record time.
Who could believe the delicate looking three-year old filly could act with contempt not only on good dirt ground, but also on the frightening ground conditions that saw a horse euthenised and two jockeys injured?
After merely beating Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird USA (Birdstone USA) in the Preakness by one length, she annihilated his half brother Summer Bird USA (Birdstone USA) in the $1 million Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park August 2.
Summer Bird defeated Mine That Bird in the Belmont Stakes.
Mine That Bird's latest hapless adventure is noted in the article below.
They will all meet at the Shadwell Travers Stakes at Saratoga August 20.
I shall repeat my final line from the preview article on the Haskell.
My money is on Rachel.
Zenyatta Rated 125
The International Federation of Horseracing Authorities has elevated the magnificent five-year-old mare Zenyatta USA (Street Cry Ire), unbeaten in all her nine races, to a 125 Rating making her the world's highest-rated female.
She has earned £1,238,043 on AW for her owners Mr and Mrs Jerome Moss and trainer John Sherreffs.
Her jockey Mike Smith has taken a good share of those earnings as he has been on board Zenyatta for eight of her nine victories.
Smith has replaced Calvin Borel as retained jockey for Mine That Bird USA (Birdstone USA). He guided MTB to within a length of three-year-old Rachel Alexandra USA (Megdaglia D'Oro USA), rated at 122 on Dirt, in the Belmont Stakes.
Soul Warrior Wins WV Derby
Soul Warrior (Lion Heart), never out of allowance company, covered the dirt mile in 1m51.46s to trounce both Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird (Birdstone) and favourite Big Drama (Montbrook) in the Grade 2 West Virginia Derby, 1m1f, for three-year olds.
Substitute jockey Dale Beckner said "This is my greatest win in 20 years of riding. To beat horses of this calibre--wow!"
In contrast, it is trainer Steve Asmussen's third WV Derby win in five years.
Big Drama had a massive lead on all the horses, but was worn down by a surprisingly effective grinder who has come in second twice and first once in three of his only four career starts.
Since he did not race at two, he did remarkably well with so little experience against two horses who have won at and have had so many more high-level races than he.
MTB's jockey Mike Smith admitted his loss was due to "just total rider error".
Trainer Chip Woolley refused to blame the jockey and said that "my horse did the same thing at the Belmont Stakes. When he got daylight to run, he tries to run."
"What worked so well for us at the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness was getting him behind horses, which prevents him from moving too soon. Until we do that again, we're going to have problems."
MTB will likely be meeting Rachel Alexandra (Megdaglia D'Oro) at the Shadwell Travers Stakes at Saratoga on August 20.
So could Big Drama who was beaten into fifth by her in the Preakness.
Will Steve Asmussen send his grinder to contest her?
Arlington Million--Godolphin's Gladiatorus USA (Silic Fr), rated at 127 by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities, was withdrawn from the Arlington Million with a foot corn and will probably race in the Prix Jacques Le Marois on August 16 if he has recovered.
Cima De Triomphe Ire (Galileo Ire), Gloria De Campeao Brz (Impression Arg) and Stotsfold (Barathea) will travel from Europe to the States to challenge America's top Turf horse Gio Ponti USA (Tale Of The Cat USA) in the international Arlington Million at Arlington Park, Illinois, on August 8.
Stotsfold won his last 10f race in June, but was beaten by Cima De Triomphe in May.
Godolphin's on a Roll
Cocoa Beach Chi (Doneraile Court USA) skipped the Go For Wand Handicap, won by Godolphin's Seventh Street USA (Street Cry USA), for the De La Rose Stakes (Listed), 1m turf, at Saratoga.
It proved the right decision. Rick Mantee, North American racing manager for Godolphin said, "We thought a mile turf race would set her up better for down the road. She really needed her last start (fourth at Belmont Park June 21 over 1m 1/2f)."
A problem in her hindquarters has been sorted and she has now won four of her six starts in the USA.
One of her losses came from Zenyatta USA (Street Cry USA) in the Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic at Santa Anita in 2008.
Godolphin's First Grade 1 in 2009
Leave it to a daughter of Street Cry Ire, Seventh Street USA, to break the Grade 1 barrier for Godolphin this year on the muddy Saratoga ground.
She joins his other stellar mare Zenyatta in fighting fiercely to win her races. The Go For Wand Handicap, 1m1f, on dirt for 3yo+f/m, is her second Grade 1.
She won the Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn in April for her former trainer Kiaran McLaughlin before she was switched to Godolphin.
McLaughlin produced another winner for Sheikh Mohammed in the Fourstardave Handicap, Grade 2, 1m1/2f, turf for 3yo+.
Justenuffhumor USA (Distorted Humor USA), in Darley colours, scored by two and a half lengths over outsider Mambo Meister and favourite Cowboy Cal for his first graded-stakes' win.
Battle of Hastings--beat Straight Story USA (Giant's Causeway USA) in the Virginia Derby (Grade 2) on Turf, 1m 2f, by a head.
This was the second Straight Story defeat by him; he lost the Colonial Cup in June.
Winning those first two races of the four in the Grand Slam Grass $5 million bonus (purses included), the British-bred Royal Applause gelding must also take the August 8 Secretariat at Arlington Park and the Breeders' Cup Turf at Santa Anita November 7 to earn the bonus.
Mine That Bird
The Kentucky Derby winner has a new jockey. Mike Smith, who rode him in the Preakness when regular jockey Calvin Borel defected to the winner Rachel Alexandra USA (Medaglio D'Oro USA), will replace Borel when MTB USA (Birdstone USA) races in the West Virginia Derby at Mountaineer Park on August 1 and the Travers Stakes at Saratoga on August 29.
Smith could have a conflict if both MTB and the four-year-old unbeaten filly Zenyatta USA (Street Cry Ire) go for the Breeders' Cup Classic.
He has been her jockey through her incredible career including winning the BC Fillies and Mares race last year and owes her first loyalty.
So one of the finest, unluckiest and hard-done-by geldings, MTB, may be the loser again.
My sympathies to his connections and all of us who missed having a U.S. Triple Crown winner this year thanks to at least four jockeys.
