Poll #1488265
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: None, participants: 3

Who should win Horse of the Year 2009?

How fabulous are these two enormous fillies? Whoever you like, you have to admit they are both in a class by themselves. It's just a question of which of the two is more deserving of Horse of the Year. They never raced each other and are unlikely to. So it comes down to things both objective such as the stats and subjective such as emotions and partiality. I've already talked about the stats and came out for Rachel based on those, so to get a "feel" for these two fillies all over again, I just re-watched all their 2009 races.

What I saw about Zenyatta. She ran a Breeders' Cup Classic for the ages. The rest of her very short year left me cold. Her margins of victory were not huge even though she ran in the same races over the same tracks against the same horses she's beaten over and over. People are citing her career. Fourteen straight wins and all that. Not fair. This is Horse of the Year, not Best Career. Her year was five races, four of which she'd won before. One race moved me and that was the Classic. Her connections didn't take the safe way for the Breeders' Cup and it shows. I think if they had NOT scratched her in Kentucky, if they'd let her run on an off track and shown what she had somewhere other than California on something other than synthetic, I could give it to her. But they didn't do that. They took the safe route. And there should be consequences for being risk averse. And that's to not get Horse of the Year.

I know a lot of people want to vote Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandrea co-champions. Oh, God(dess) love the age of "Everyone gets a trophy." ::sarcasm alert:: Forget that. The horses won't care and those who support them won't buy that the other horse deserved it. So pick one and call it a day. May the best horse win. At least we know it will be one of these two marvelous fillies.

The problem is that they are also two very different fillies, so this comes down to taste (do you like the flashy front runner who wins by double digit margins or do you like the come- from-behind horse who eeks out the win each time?) It also comes down to surface--do you believe synthetic is a fair test or not for a dirt horse? I personally don't. I'm on the fence about the injury issue, as well. Sure, they tout that there were no injuries at this Breeders' Cup and for that I'm thankful, but the truth is there were a number of injuries during the Oak Tree meet, so the surface is not a panacea for the ills that plague horse racing. I do not believe synthetic is equal to dirt and I think the results of the Cup show that. One analysis I saw said that every winner was a synthetic winner in the past. That's telling as hell.

But does Horse of the Year belong to the dirt horse by default? Of course not. Whoever had the best season should win. I've already run the numbers. I've just rewatched the races and experienced the thrill that was Rachel this season--she ran more, she took on more horses (both in sheer numbers as well as in terms of the number of non-repeats), and her season was harder, especially when you consider she only had two weeks between the Oaks and the Preakness. And I like the flashy front runner who wins with daylight between her and the field, who can handle a sloppy track as well as a fast one, and who took the boys on three times instead of one this year as well as handled the best three-year-old fillies (except Careless Jewel--can't wait for that match-up next year).

My vote, if I had one: Rachel Alexandra.

Just got my contributor's copies of the debut issue of Paper Crow, a new poetry magazine from Elektrik Milk Bath Press. My poem "String Theory" appears. This is my second poem to be published and, since I started as a poet and then switched to prose before I went pro, it's still a very new and exciting thing to have someone like one of my poems enough to publish it. (It's still new and exciting for the stories, too, but for the poems--well, poetry is different, and just because your family and friends like your stuff, doesn't mean it's sell-able, you know? Especially when a good deal of my first stuff was emo-laden self-therapy disguised as art LOL.) You can read more about the magazine here.

For the writers on my list, the magazine is open again to poetry subs through Jan 31 and they dig speculative. If the publisher's name sounds familiar, Elektrik Milk Bath Press is also putting out the Dia de Los Muertos anthology--my story "The Effect of Place on Love and Death" will be in that.

I've been thinking a lot about Horse of the Year. I was moved to tears on each viewing of Zenyatta in the Breeders' Cup Classic. Yes, it was a hell of a race. But a few months ago, Rachel gave us a series of those, too--and she moved me to tears for most of her races, not just this one (if moving me to tears is a factor, of course). Z's race is cool and of the moment, so it's natural to want to hand her the crown 'cause she prances and paws the ground (and yeah, that's freakin' cool, I'm not making fun of her). She looks like an amazon out there and she beat the boys after a rough trip over a mile and a quarter. It's hard not to say she deserves it.

A lot of people are saying she deserves it because Rachel "didn't show up." As if not liking the surface isn't suddenly a valid reason to run. Am I the only one who remembers Zenyatta scratching at Churchill on Oaks day for the Louisville Distaff? Why? Because it was raining (the track improved to fast by the feature, was listed as good for the Distaff). So why did Z scratch: because the SURFACE had changed and they didn't want to run her on it. Why? Because they obviously didn't think she'd do her best on it.

So why is it valid for Z to have skipped that (at the start of her season, after she shipped there and everything) and not valid for Rachel to skip a surface even more different than slop to fast is, after a long grueling season in which she ran three more races than Zenyatta? (In fact, at three, Rachel has run as many races as Zenyatta's run in five years. Rachel has nine consecutive wins, and an overall record of 11 wins and 2 shows (her only time out of the money was her first race as a maiden).

Let's move off the whole Rachel didn't show crap, okay?

The real issue is: which filly deserves the title?

I blather on behind the cut.

( Blathering--and also some really interesting data--commences: )

Book 47 -- Black Ships by Jo Graham

( Read review )

I found the video for Quality Road and the gate incident. The first horse giving them fits is Zenyatta, then you'll get to Quality Road. This is actually quite upsetting, and I'm saying that as a veteran racewatcher who is somewhat inured to this stuff, so just be warned (it's why I'm linking to it rather than embedding it, so you'll have a chance to read the warning) Watch it here.

I am so, totally, completely prepared to eat crow--except it'll be some other bird 'cause I adore crows.

Zenyatta. Yes. Yes. Yes. This is the Zenyatta I remember from last year. The one I was hard pressed not to give Horse of the Year to over Curlin (and I love me some Curlin!) First mare to ever win the Classic. First time this year she's made me cry winning. She retires undefeated and it's going to be a tough vote for Horse of the Year suddenly--and it'll be between two fillies: how totally bitchin' is that? (I'll analyze the Horse of the Year thing some other day. For now I just want to revel in the return of the mare I loved last year.) Kudos to Mike Smith for saying he thought she could do this and for giving her a hell of a ride. Kudos to her connections for not taking the safe route. And kudos to this mare for running a race for the ages. And Mike Smith said she was still playing a bit at the end--can Zenyatta possibly have more than this? We won't see it, not unless her connections decide to see what she can do at six. It wouldn't be unheard of; she's a big, big mare, and they often aren't good as broodmares. So I guess we'll see if they retire her or no.

The 1 1/4 mile Grade 1 Classic started wackily with Quality Road totally spazzing (no, that's not a technical term in horse racing, but it's what he did), to the point where they blindfolded him to get him in gate but he was still rearing in there and kicked his gate open in front. He was scratched from the race since they could not get him settled, and in the meantime the other horses (all but like two had loaded) had to be backed out and then reloaded once things calmed down. Zenyatta gave them a little trouble going in, broke badly, had trouble getting on the correct lead, and went off a tad more leisurely than is her wont. Once she got settled in dead last, she passed Mine That Bird (case so closed on him), and under very slow fractions, got up to mid pack and then was trapped inside on the rail. Smith got her out of the traffic, sort of skipping sidewasy to get outside (and he was lucky in that--no one in his way) but she had to go about seven wide to make her run. And a run it was: she picked them off as she made a furious charge to finish a length ahead of Gio Ponti and Twice Over. Summer Bird got up for fourth. Watch the race here.

So how'd I do for picks overall? I got the following right: Tapitsfly in the Juvenile Fillies Turf, She Be Wild in the Juvenile Fillies, Goldikova in the Mile. So three right. Not great, but considering the number of upsets and the factor of synthetic and European invaders transitioning successfully from grass to this surface, not so surprising.

For the sake of space, other race results are behind the cut:

( Breeder's Cup and other results )

Summer Bird's trainer, Tim Ice, thinks that his horse should be Horse of the Year if he wins the Classic. Here's what he has to say: “My opinion is that each sport has its championship game, and if you don’t compete in it, you shouldn’t win the championship. This is the stage you want to be on.” This is, of course, utter BS. If we had a triple crown winner who elected to bypass the Breeders' Cup, would that horse not win horse of the year? Summer Bird peaked late--he's a sharp looking colt and he's my vote for champion three-year-old male, for sure. But Horse of the Year? Nope. Especially not when he's already lost to Rachel, by six lengths, as she screamed down a sloppy track in a time that was just a tick off the Haskell record. If Zenyatta wins the Classic, I'll say the same thing--although given her record and the nature of the field (and the fact that no filly has ever won the race) it would be harder to say it for her than for Summer Bird. But when it comes down to it, there's only one horse for me who deserves Horse of the Year and it's Rachel. It will be interesting to see how the voting comes out this year--how overwhelming or not the votes are for the Horse of the Year winner.

Okay, so the Cup. The post positions and odds were posted today, so here are my picks:

Friday's Races:

Marathon - It's hard to argue with favorite Mastery. I don't know most of the horses in this 1 3/4 mile race, so I'll stick with the handicapper's wisdom

Juvenile Fillies Turf - I love Tapitsfly, so she's my pick. Lisa's Kitten impressed me with her outing--although she's only had two weeks off and that's asking a lot of a two-year-old. Favorite House of Grace looked damned impressive in her last outing, so this is going to be a tough one.

Filly and Mare Sprint - With the defection of Indian Blessing, my first choice is gone. Ventura is the favorite, but I never go with Ventura, even though she's very likely to repeat her win from last year on the same track. I like Sara Louise, the filly that photoed with Indian Blessing in the Gallant Bloom. This will be her first start on the fake stuff; I hope she takes to it.

Juvenile Fillies - 12 fillies in this. I like She Be Wild. Second choice is Negligee. Kind of a wide open one with lots of good young fillies. Not like last year where Stardom Bound just dominated the division.

Filly and Mare Turf - This is a stellar field with Visit, Forever Together (favorite), Rutherienne, Magical Fantasy, Pure Clan, Midday, Dynaforce, and last year's winner Maram. Very very hard to pick. I love Forever Together. I truly do. But I'm going to pick Magical Fantasy. I'll be happy with just about any of these horses--very, very nice field, one of the best of the whole program for either day.

Ladies Classic - Well, there are a lot of lovely horses in this one (Zenyatta isn't one of them; she will run in the Classic, so good for her connections!) but the only horse I care about is Careless Jewel. She drew the inside post but I think she can get past that. It's not a full field and she's likely to be one of the front runners. Go, baby, go!


Saturday's Races:

Juvenile Turf - Very big field. Anything could happen. But I like Interactif. He's looked so good so far.

Turf Sprint - Gonna go with the filly Diamondrella, even though she's never run on this extremely odd downhill turf course, and even though favorite California Flag has.

Dirt Mile - Okay my boy Pyro is running. My boy Pyro HATES synthetic. I'll be rooting like hell for him. But I don't think he'll get it done here. I like Mastercraftsman in from the continent to win. He's looked sharp all year long.

Juvenile - I love D' Funnybone but this is first time above 7 furlongs and first time on plastic. I should really go with favorite, Lookin At Lucky. But I'm not going to. D' Funnybone it is.

Mile - How can I not root for Goldikova as she defends her win last year? She's the clear choice for me.

Sprint - Zensational is the natural pick for this but he drew the inside post, and he'll have to break perfectly and run away with this from the start if he's to win it. He's been so good on the California tracks this year, I think he can do it.

Turf - There are some amazing horses running in this. Conduit, Red Rocks, Presious Passion (who I love). but I'm going with the Euro filly Dar Re Mi. I don't think we've seen her best race yet. I think it'll be Saturday. Presious Passion is my second choice--look for him to run to the lead and try to run off with it.

Classic - Okay I cannot believe they made Zenyatta the favorite. She's never run a mile and a quarter, she's never run against males, and she's never shown the kind of speed to deserve this. I think the handicapper had a little home town bias here. Don't get me wrong: I'll be yelling like hell for her to become the first mare to ever win this. But I don't think she'll do it. I think Rip Van Winkle is going to run the hell out of this field, frankly. I think Gio Ponti is in for a revenge win. And I think, if he finds the plastic to his liking, Summer Bird will be damned hard to beat. So those are my three picks. Sorry Z. I hope to hell you do it; I want to see you run the way they say you can. The field for this: Mine That Bird, Colonel John, Summer Bird, Zenyatta, Twice Over, Richard's Kid, Gio Ponti, Einstein, Girolamo, Rip Van Winkle, Regal Ransom, Quality Road, and Awesome Gem.


Behind the cuts: weekend racing results

( Stakes (Dirt): )

( Fillies and Mares Stakes: )

( Turf : )

( Juveniles (dirt): )

( Sprints (Dirt): )

Coming down to the wire on this but I think I'll finish easily with some books ahead. It's been a fun challenge. And I'm glad to see that I do read as much as I think I do. For the 50+ books that I'll end up reviewing this year, another 30 or so probably ended up in the bag for the library book sale, never to be finished, must less reviewed--they lost me in the process for whatever reason (life is short and I don't believe in sticking with a book if I'm not enjoying it).

Book 45 -- Eleanor Rigby by Douglas Coupland

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Book 46 -- The Everafter by Amy Huntley

( Read review )

St. Nicholas Abbey
Sea the Stars may be retiring, but a new superstar is rising over in Europe. Undefeated two-year-old St. Nicholas Abbey had an amazing run in the Racing Post Trophy (a mile at Doncaster), taking it easily by 3 1/2 lengths.

Breeders' Cup Defections
A lot of trainers are not willing to send their horses to Santa Anita for the Breeders' Cup. Interesting year it'll be. The synthetic is running more and more like turf (which is why some very good European grass horses are eyeing the Classic and not the Turf), and add in the injuries--well, you have a risk some folks aren't willing to take. Are these really the championships if a good percentage of the champions don't come? Dublin is out. Indian Blessing is out. Rachel Alexandra is out. More will follow, no doubt.

Zenyatta
Speaking of the Cup, I've been analyzing my growing dissatisfaction with Zenyatta. And trying to figure out what would get me solidly back in her cheering section. Or in her connections' cheering section: it's not the poor horse's fault they've had her doing the same old thing against the same old horses. She loves to run, she loves to frak with other horses on the walk to the gate, she's still the same horse. So what does she have to do to make me cheer for her? One of two things:


1. Run in the Classic. She doesn't even have to win, she just has to have her race. Her connections say we've never seen her really try. Well, let's see her do that, then. If she wins, even better.

2. If they don't run her in the Classic (and for the record, I don't think they will. I don't think they will risk the chance to beat Personal Ensign's record now that they are this close), I want to see her have the kind of finish in the Ladies Classic with Careless Jewel (who I will be rooting for no matter who she runs against) that Personal Ensign had with Winning Colors in the Distaff. And Z will have to win this, running in it alone isn't enough. And for those who don't remember the race in question: here it is. Makes me cry every single time, even with the crappy quality. I'd like just once for Z to make me cry (in a good, happy-cry way).

Shorts:
--Promising filly Icon Project has been retired with a tendon injury.
--Macho Again is out of the Breeders' Cup since he was coughing after his last workout and will miss some training, compromising his readiness. Bummer--love him!
--Friesan Fire is back in training after surgery on both front ankles--and back in Steve Asmussen's barn (since Larry Jones is retiring). He's training up for the Grade 1 Donn Handicap at Gulfstream.
--General Quarters also back in training after knee surgery.
--Rail Trip is out of the Breeders' Cup with a foot bruise--his connections don't expect this to be career threatening.
--Gitano Hernando, the very impressive winner of the Goodwood Stakes, will not be supplemented for the Breeders' Cup. His connections don't want him to race back so quickly, will instead point him to the Dubai World Cup (which will be run on synthetic for first time this year).
--Former Jockey Gary Stevens has turned trainer, and had his first winner at Santa Anita last week. I'm unduly fond of him (he was a fairly new but winning jockey at Longacres back when I was in Seattle, so I have a soft spot for him) and wish him much good luck in this venture.

( Turf : )

( Juveniles (dirt): )

( Juveniles (turf): )

Ahhhhhhhhhh. Now that's the Vineyard Haven I remember. Amazing performance on an off track today at Laurel in the 6 furlong Grade 1 Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash for three-year-olds and up. He was boxed in at the rail after breaking from post position one, then had to check at least once as the front runners set blistering fractions like this was a fast track not a mess of one. It looked like Ravalo was going to win it on the outside, but Vineyard Haven dug into the sloppy track and found it--whatever that "it" is that makes runners give you just that much more. Beautiful, beautiful effort. Ravalo was second by a neck, Fleet Valid third in a blanket finish, the trio 3 1/2 lengths ahead of the rest of the field. It's a moving race: watch it here.

In the "watch these next year" Mineralogist and Embrace Change made it look very very easy on a sloppy track in the 1 mile Maid of the Mist Stakes (anyone else getting nostalgic for Wonderfalls?) for New-York-bred two-year-old fillies. Mineralologist gets major snaps for going from last to first and holding off a late charge by Embrace Change on a messy track. Embrace Change deserves props for making that run and leaving the rest of the field 7 lengths behind them.

( Fillies and Mares Stakes: )

( Turf : )

( Juveniles (turf): )

( Sprints (Dirt): )

I haven't smoked cigarettes since 1999, yet in the past year, I have come to realize that I smoke in my dreams. I don't smoke all the time; in my dreams, I'm not the addict that I was when I smoked in non-dreamtime. It's just every now and then in the middle of a dream, I'll realize I have cigarettes--Capri, my old favs--and a lighter in my purse, pocket, whatever. In my dreams, it's not a compulsion, just something I do occasionally. And it's not just that I think about smoking them in my dreams, or know that I do smoke them in my dreams but don't partake during the dream, sometimes I actually get around to smoking them. Being dreamtime, you don't have to leave the building, which is sort of cool, and your hair doesn't smell like an ashtray when you wake up. I don't remember any sensation--no buzz, no particular relief physiologically when lighting up in the dream--but psychologically? The idea that they're there, my old friends the C-Sticks. Incomparable.

So what does this mean?

Book 43 -- Crows: Encounters with the Wise Guys by Candace Savage

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Book 44 -- Liar by Justine Larbalestier

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No races in front of the cut this week. It'll get kind of quiet now as we work our way up to the Breeders' Cup. No more "Win and You're In" races after this weekend. And any big races will be horses who've elected to avoid the Cup (you can watch it--if you can find coverage--on November 6 and 7). Bad weather in the Northeast all weekend contributed to some weird results and at least one major race, the Grade 3 Turf Knickerbocker Handicap being pushed to next week.

Sea the Stars will not run in the Breeders' Cup. He's being retired to stud. There's a lot of outcry over this, as if the shining star of European racing should somehow make the Breeders' Cup a priority? They won the freakin' Arc d' Triomphe, how will winning the Breeders' Cup add to that? (Of course, it's probably already stinging that Rachel won't be there, either. The Breeders' Cup has touted itself the championship but it's likely that this year it won't be in a lot of divisions as horses stay away from the synthetic.) Also, why would Sea the Stars' connections want to risk their horse on a surface he's never run on, and one that has been prone to injury so far this season? I'm sorry he won't run into his four-year-old year, but I certainly can't blame his people for wanting to do this, and I find it the height of bizarre for people here to get so up in arms over this when we retire two-year-olds who haven't even managed to finish their season uninjured to stud. Are his connections greedy? Maybe. Is this unusual in any way? Uh, no. And folks: it's their horse; they can do what they want. All the best to the horse in his stud career; I hope some nice American mares find their way over there to be bred.

( Stakes (Dirt): )

( Turf : )

( Juveniles (dirt): )

( Sprints (Dirt): )

( Sprints (Turf): )

Zenyatta, racing in a race she's already won against horses she's beat over and over again, has matched Personal Ensign's record of 13 wins (by winning the 1 1/16 miles Grade 1 Ladies Secret Stakes, with Lethal Heat and Cocoa Beach coming up for place and show). Wake me when she does something frakkin' interesting. A one-length win after a two-month layoff over horses she's never lost to? Color me naive, but I expected more. Mike Smith says she's never really run, but I'm not sure I believe that. But if it's true, I'm hoping that someone new--maybe Careless Jewel, maybe one of the Arc fillies Stacelita or Dar Re Mi--will come and really test her in the Ladies Classic. (I don't believe Z's connections have any intention of running her in the Classic against males. Would love to be surprised on this, though. Zenyatta in a real race? Now that could get me on her bandwagon again.) The VIDEO is here. Prepare to be unmoved.

The 1 1/8 mile Grade 1 Goodwood Stakes saw Mine that Bird trying to prove his Derby win wasn't a fluke and he deserves to be in the Classic, and the crowd made him second favorite.. The "Win and You're In" race on Saturday at Oak Tree saw a large field of very good horses like Colonel John, Parading, Informed, Richard's Kid, and Tiago. British invader Gitano Hernando beat Colonel John and Richard's Kid. Mine That Bird was sixth. Can we please put the question to rest now? He loved the sloppy track at the Derby and got one hell of a trip. Nice horse, but don't expect to see him do much more than he's done. I can't find a video link for this race; if I find one later, I'll edit this.

( Stakes (Dirt): )

( Fillies and Mares Stakes: )

( Turf : )

( Juveniles (dirt): )

( Juveniles (turf): )

( Sprints (Dirt): )

( Sprints (Turf): )

Book 42 -- Just Another Judgment Day by Simon R. Green

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It's official. Jess Jackson reiterated Rachel won't be at the Breeders' Cup. His words about this filly and her racing year are lovely . Why should I try to do better?

“We have seen an amazing 2009 campaign from Rachel Alexandra our three-year old filly. She not only beat the fillies by 20 lengths in the Kentucky Oaks and 19 lengths in the Mother Goose Stakes, she beat the boys in the Preakness and the Haskell, and older males in the Woodward.

“She beat the winners of the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont. Rachel raced on eight different tracks. She prevailed in all eight of her races in 09--five of them grade I contests. Hers was a campaign for the ages beyond what any filly has ever accomplished and she is only three years old. Our family and racing fans will always remember and enjoy her historic 2009 campaign.

“Today, I am formally announcing our decision to conclude Rachel's 2009 campaign and allow her to mature naturally. She has moved to Churchill Downs for a well-deserved rest. We are all looking forward to an exciting 2010 season.

"In the interim, I want to sincerely thank the fans, the track officials, and the media for all their heartfelt support of this wonderful filly.”

Enjoy the time off, Rachel! We'll see you when Horse of the Year is announced.

Book 41 -- Boomsday by Christopher Buckley

( Read review )

The 1 1/4 mile Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup [3U] at Belmont on Saturday featured Summer Bird and Quality Road taking on older contenders such as Dry Martini, Asiatic Boy, and Macho Again. Macho Again was, of course, my choice in this but the attention was all on Summer Bird and Quality Road and those folks were not wrong. Thrilling stretch run for these two, well ahead of the rest, and Summer Bird pulled ahead and won by a length with Tizway third. A week ago I'd have said there was no possible US contender to challenge Rachel for Horse of the Year, but Summer Bird is probably the closest one to do it by winning the Belmont, the Travers, and now the Jockey Club Gold Cup (I think he's safely locked in champion three-year-old male). Then again, Rachel beat him significantly in the Haskell, not the other way around. Which actually tells us how damn good she really is. I don't know why but this is one of my favorite races all year and this year was no exception. Great race. VIDEO here.

The 1 1/16 mile Grade 2 Fitz Dixon Cotillion Stakes [F3] at Philadelphia Park on Saturday saw the return of Careless Jewel, and she made it look effortless as she took the lead and didn't even think about giving it up. Never seriously threatened, she won by three and a half lengths, with Bon Jovi Girl taking second and Key Lime Baby third. I can't express how much I want to see this filly take on Zenyatta in the Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic (I don't think they will put Z in the Classic, not with Summer Bird and Quality Road likely to hit that, not to mention all the European grass horses set to take on the synthetic). I think Careless Jewel is better than Zenyatta and I hope to be proven right...or wrong. Just let them race. I admit, I have fallen off the "I love Z" bandwagon (compare me now to last year when I was saying she might be my vote over Curlin for Horse of the Year. Might, but still, I loved me some Curlin so for me to even consider voting against him...) and I'm having trouble mustering up enthusiasm for next week's Lady's Secret. But I digress: this isn't about Z. Careless Jewel wows me more than any filly (who is not Rachel Alexandra, n'est-ce pas) and she's my boy Tapit's little girl, which also gives me a big happy. VIDEO here.

The Oak Tree meet at Santa Anita opened on Wednesday. We're in the last month of preps for the Breeders' Cup, which will again be hosted by Oak Tree and run on the synthetic track. Saturday in the California cup Classic, the very nice colt Grazen broke down in the stretch after leading for most of the race. Garrett Gomez got him pulled up and they say the injury to his fright front tendon is not life threatening, but he'll never race again. In the same race, Blackbriar did not fare so well. He was also pulled up after breaking the sesamoid bone in his right front leg and was put down. Earlier in the week, two-year-old filly Mi Sueno had to be retired after a condylar fracture of her right front cannon bone. Not good. Not good at all. You can bet trainers of horses slated for the upcoming Breeders' Cup will be watching the injury list very closely and some may decide to pull out if injuries increase. Certainly this will do NOTHING to convince Jess Jackson to run Rachel, who appears to be enjoying her break, in the Breeders' Cup.

( Stakes (Dirt): )

( Fillies and Mares Stakes: )

( Turf : )

( Juvenile Stakes: )

( Sprints (Dirt): )

( Sprints (Turf): )

There'll be a full racing report later today, but this couldn't wait.

Never have so many in the States paid attention to the weather and the state of the track at Longchamps as they have this year for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. If it was too soft, Sea the Stars--quite possibly the best horse racing anywhere right now, certainly the best in Europe--might not race in France, and might be pointed to the Breeders' Cup. A lot of folks want to see that. His connections were focused on the Arc, and I can't say I blame them. On Sunday, the long wait was over. You know you are watching a freakin' superstar when, even called in a language you don't understand, the race leaves you crying because the performance was superlative.

Want to see greatness defined? If you watch nothing else I've linked to, watch this (I found an English version). He was boxed in, checked repeatedly, and when he made his rush he was some seven lengths behind. And he did it. OMG, he so did it with a blistering turn of foot and stamina to boot. The reception he got from the crowd when coming back was just amazing. No horse has ever won the Epsom Derby, the 2000 Guineas, and the Arc in the same year--and he's won a lot more races than just that. An incredible three-year old who is unlikely to race at four--we'll probably see him hustled off to a stud career, and this time, I won't say a word. He's done it all. I don't normally venture out to the continent to follow racing, but this horse lured me in by his amazing consistency.