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Does racing get any better than this weekend? Seven grade I's from Santa Anita. Five from Belmont. Eighteen graded stakes around the country. Eleven Breeders' Cup Challenge races in two different countries (would have been 13 if the Pilgrim and Miss Grillo weren't moved to next week because of weather). Great stuff. About the only hiccup in what ...

Last week it was announced that Churchill Downs and Great Britain's Kempton Park created a new 3-year-old race that will provide the winner a berth in the 2009 Kentucky Derby. The race, named the Kentucky Derby Challenge Stakes, not only guarantees the winner a spot in the starting gate next May, but will earn the connections a $100,000 bonus if ...

Several of you have asked about the status of Georgie Boy, who has become a big fan favorite, especially out West. I was able to contact his owner, George Schwary Sept. 19 to get the latest. The story is below. By the way, Schwary, 75, is one of the most likeable guys you would ever want to talk to. He is sincere, humble and just a genuinely nice ...

Wasn't it just a few weeks ago that we were all complaining about the Breeders' Cup Classic lacking intrigue? Now, if everything falls into place, this might be one of the most highly-anticipated Classics of all-time. Of course, a lot has to be decided between now and Oct. 25, most importantly, whether or not reigning Horse of the Year Curlin ...

I have mixed feeling about Big Brown racing in the newly-created Monmouth Stakes this weekend. On one hand, I am happy to see the Derby winner running at all. After the Belmont, most of us probably thought there was little chance he would ever see the racetrack again, especially considering the fragility of his feet. I've said this many times ...

On Sunday, I was fortunate enough to attend the Eight Belles memorial ceremony at Churchill Downs where they honored the fallen filly and unveiled a plaque in the Kentucky Derby Museum garden. It was a touching ceremony in which over 200 people attended - some from as far away as Colorado and New York. While the entire ceremony was well done, ...

Every racing fan has their favorite and most memorable moments. Last year, for me, it was the Woodbine Mile. Who can forget the breathtaking rail move by Shakespeare, who came from eighth and 7 1/2 lengths back at the quarter-pole to nail Kip Deville in the final yards? It was truly one of the best late moves I have seen by a 6-year-old, and to ...

  Let me first start by acknowledging that Peppers Pride is a remarkable horse. To win 16 races consecutively, no matter whether running against New Mexico-breds, stakes horses or claimers, is not to be taken lightly. She and her connections should be celebrated for their accomplishments and if they go on to win one more and break the mark ...

  With so many divisions seemingly wide-open for the Breeders' Cup, there was at least one that we thought we had a pretty good grasp on. The Sprint. Not anymore. In the last seven days the Sprint went from being a division with two clear-cut favorites, to one with more questions than perhaps any other division. First, defending champ ...

  It's a huge weekend for the Breeders' Cup Challenge, as seven ''Win and You're In'' races are on the slate this weekend. Unfortunately, Travers week has kept me from looking at all of them in depth, so I have picked out three to analyze. Feel free to send your picks on all races, even the ones not mentioned. Del Mar Handicap, Aug. 23 I ...