There sure are alot of Great Races This Holiday weekend!, Like I said already, I cannot wait for the The United Nations Stakes at Monmouth, I would love for Brass Hat, Better Talk Now, and Presious Passion to go 1,2,3...  

    If you want to see the Fastest Horse on the Planet, Watch "Zensational" at Hollywood Park on Sunday, In the Triple Bend Handicap, Race #10, This guy is Lighting...

    The Bashford Manor Stakes at Churchill Downs, Race 10, July 3rd, Would love to see Mission Impazible, Brassy Boy, and Grand Slam Andre, But, really only locked onto Mission Impazible.

    Umm, The Tom Fool Handicapp?, If Benny the Bull were here, He would take Fabulous Strike in that extra Furlong(lol, Jason!), But, Strike should win, But I will go with Munning's and the 11 pound advantage!

    Suburban Handicap, Why not, I will go with Cool Coal Man, Ready's Echo, and Asiatic Boy. In the Prioress, Gabby's Golden Gal, Heart Ashley and Cat Moves...

    I am sure if I strike out this Weekend, Dray will let me know on Tuesday!, But I can always counter with good ole "Summer Bird", My ace in the hole, lol...

Have a Safe 4th Everyone...

fab strike ok but munnins eats him up--if this was six furlongs, i would agree but not seven

Love Cool Coal Man in the suburban. He is a mineshaft who is just starting to become a star. Watch saturday as he romps home to win over It's a bird. What do think of Cool Coal Man? Who do you have in the salvator at monmouth?

Would love to box the two old warriors, Better Talk Now and Brass Hat.  Anybody know they are training and coming into the race?

Are any of these on ESPN?

Fastest horse & Best bet all in one

tell me where I'm listening know it's

Hollywood don't think it's Zensational

maybe the 1?

By the way Jason, thanks for the Firenze article. Just read it now. I would like to learn more about pre-1900 racing. Firenze, Salvator, Kingston, and Hindoo are the big names I'm familiar with from the pre-1890 years, when the book "Champions" picks up the history of modern racing. Because many thoroughbred races in the pre-1890 era used to be run at 2-4 miles, in heats, when there were fewer established tracks and stakes events, it seems most racing historians consider it "ancient" history, a "distant cousin" of today's game. And to be honest, it is very hard to compare the horses of today with horses of the 1850s, running in 2 or 3 heats in a day, at 4 miles, and in a stakes race long forgotten. Firenze is recent enough that I would like to know more about her, and Salvator, Hindoo, Kingston, etc.

Sysonby,

mz is correct that it was the Personal Ensign Handicap that used to be the Firenze, with a period as the John Morris in between. The Ruffian Handicap/Stakes, was created specifically to commemorate the recently deceased filly, and first run in 1976(won by Ruffian's half-sister, Revidere).

I will be going out to both the local thoroughbred track, Pinnacle, and harness track, Hazel Park, this weekend.

It starts on Friday night with a couple of $15k races for the top Michigan bred 3 year old colt and filly pacers.

On Saturday afternoon at Pinnacle is the $50k Wolverine, for 3 year old and older Michigan bred colts and geldings, featuring Meadow Vespers, a 4-time Michigan Sire Stakes winner.  Michigan Sire Stakes Day is formatted along the lines of the Breeders Cup(but no turf), with 6 different divisions based on age(2,3, older) and sex(male, female). Meadow Vespers won the 2005 Michigan Sire Stakes for 3 year old males, then won the Sire Stakes for older horses(and geldings) the past 3 years in 2006, 2007, and 2008. It might not be at the level of Forego's Woodwards or Kelso's Jockey Club Gold Cups, but Meadow Vespers is consistent and durable, and about as classy as Michigan breds get these days. One of his biggest challengers will be the 3 year old, Juggle, the winner of the Lansing Stakes, restricted to other 3 year olds, a month ago.

Later Saturday night is more harness racing, with 2 eliminations for next week's $100,000 Conners Invitational Trot for 3 year old open trotters(Detroit's biggest harness race), and 2 more $15k Michigan bred races, these for 2 year old trotters.

A month until Mine That Bird in the West Virginia Derby at Mountaineer, less than a 4 hour drive from where I live. A week after that, Arlington Million Day in Chicago.

It would be fantastic if Better Talk Now won the United Nations!

MtBFan(STILL)---These races are on TVG and HRTV only, unless something changes.

ZENSATIONAL

ANY horse that runs under44.6-4f is never a good bet.the poor horse has lost his mind or is running away from something.

Will someone please tell me how to go and see Zenyatta?  I would love to see her in life.  I don't care if she is asleep LOL.  I just want to see her.  :)

    Looks like "Better Talk Now" will be scratched with a slight hind leg injury, That Sucks, Hope the old man recovers nicely, and, Mission Impazible was a scratch, Ugh!, Backtalk is an impressive two year old, Nice come from behind win...

D@mn SuddenLink cable...won't carry my much needed 8+ hours of horse racing. :p

Fabulous Strike

Jason, you know how much I love this horse.

Why, why, why 7F?

I did read your piece with Beattie - very nice.

When I first got the entry notification I thought:

- maybe he doesn't want to take him to SAR

- maybe he wants to get him another start at BEL

- maybe he'll scratch

Honestly, in this spot, I'm not so thrilled about dealing with Munnings.

The post, the weight, the distance, the short layoff (short for FS), just the one breeze.

But, Beattie knows best.

I'm with you man.

He is my horse.

He deserves an Eclipse.

If he runs the table this week in the Fool, the Vanderbilt at SAR, and the Vosburgh, maybe he'll be set (depending on how Benny finishes out the year).

Guess we'll see.

Peace

Some good ole races this 4th of July---I like Tyler Baze to steal away in the American and romp home with Monterey Jazz (5-1 but I think he'll be lower)....I like a big outsider in The Suburban, the outside guy, Samhoon (20-1), he's bred to get the distance, he just ran his best race....I love Tizdejavu in the Firecracker, he's 3 for 3 at Churchill but has not run fast so you'll get the 7-2, maybe more... I think he's the best horse....

It's  A  BIG-TIME WEEKEND for action at the elaborate tracks for us to admire and perhaps wager a centaavvoo or two.Looks like the    6-1 and better will have 3 field days.

 Prepare for some fun with our horses, the track atmosphere, and mental gymnastics as we prepare our wagers. A LITTE 15-1 LUCK IS IN THE CARDS>>>>>>  READY==SET== and -----__.  LUCK To ALL!!

  VANDAL in PA

Sadly, Better Talk Now has been scratched from the UN - splint injury.

2-3-4 box 'em and fergitaboutit...Asiatic Boy strictly one to beat.It's a Bird sharp as a tack...Wolfson ain't shippin to see "Lady Liberty", and Dry Martini may finally  bet the pace he needs...cetainly will be movin' late!..Happy 4th to all..see you at the Spa!

gotta believe that Mig will have the #1 Runforthedoe in good position to get the Salvatore top purse...good wagering event...should have enuff pace to get to Bravo/Zito runner in time.

My sure shot this weekend is Imformed Decision in the Chicago Handicap.  This filly who has won 7 of 9 lifetime & is coming in @ 3-5 has absolutely no competition.  This is the kind of stand-out that normally attracts a syndicate to lay down $250,000 to SHOW.

I'm going to be watchng BETTER TALK NOW and BRASS HAT in today's races. :-)

"The Boy is Back": Asiatic Boy in Suburban.

Just so you know the 1 in the

Triple Bend is Street Magician.

Don't know if u can find him in

the big 14 horse field, so just

look for him after the race.

You'll find him in the winner's circle.

Zensational looks to have a decent shot tommorow, espcially is some of the other speeders with more weight don't want to get cooked by running with him, hence giving him the lead. If he's able to relax i think he could pull this off.

In the Tom Fool I'll go with Munnings on top, FS second, then Rilely Tucker. We shall see how i do. Right now i'm wondering if i shoud place a bet. Yesterday i got the top three in the Bashfor Manor right and today i called Coal Play on top for the Salvator Mile. But i won't bet, because with my luck if i d my horses will end up checking in last, lol.

Well, Musket Man is now out for the year. Looking back at my program for the Kentucky Derby, I have to ask, where have all our top 3 years olds gone? Of the 19 horses that ran in the Derby, only 4 or 5 of them appear as if they will be serious contenders the rest of the year. I suppose, however, that the California contingent may perk up when they return to synthetics.  

A brave, fearless ride by Elvis Trujillo aboard Presious Passion in the UN Cap. And, the horse responded with a supreme effort, shattering the track record. Congrats.

   What a Great Weekend for Racing!, Smart choice to scratch Fab. Strike for all the right reasons!, And To Finish the weekend with "Zensational" Winning, Just doesn't get any better then that...

StardustyRose

I saw Zenyatta's last race.  I think it cost me $6.00 to get into Hollywood and very few people were there for a Saturday (I think they are getting ready to close the track for good).  So for $6.00 you can see her at Del Mar.  It looks like Baffert has a live one with Zensational.  I know he got a weight break but he sure can dance with the older ones.

Bet against Smooth Air and won again!! This horse has been so overated by some it's a joke. More often than not he tires in the stretch, this time in only a mile race. Connections were hoping to find a weak G1 field somewhere this year so they could get the G1 win out of him. He's not worthy. Has lost to mere classified allowance horses in a minor restricted stakes race and low level G3 horses to name a few this year. Time to hang it up.

Stardusty Rose,

If you want to see Zenyatta, try calling her trainer's barn at Hollywood Park. Try going to the morning workouts.  If you can find out when she's working you can watch her workouts and if you talk to the trainer, he may let you come to the backside and visit her.  I went to some of the major farms in Kentucky and visited the best horses of all time.  Secretariat, Slew, Affirmed, Alydar and the Bid.  Most people understand fans that love horses.  It's worth a try because seeing your favorite horse up close and even petting them is a wonderful experience.

TO:SCHABELLI

You don't even approach being correct regarding Smooth Air. He's a very good horse,way too good for so called fans like yourself to slam!

Householder...

If it was this last Saturday, it had nothing to do with the racing.  It was Michael Jackson.  There were millions of people from all over the world in LA all week, even now there are.  

MonicaV...

Thanks.  I may try that.    :)