Televised Road to the Breeders' Cup Starts June 17

From The Bloodhorse:
The second half of the Thoroughbred racing season kicks off June 17 with the first 2006 telecast of the Road to the Breeders' Cup World Championships – Powered by Dodge on ESPN from 5-7 p.m. (est).

Scheduled to be shown live are the $750,000 Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I) and the $300,000 Fleur De Lis Handicap (gr. II) from Churchill Downs; the $300,000 Ogden Phipps Handicap (gr. I) from Belmont Park; and the $250,000 Californian (gr. II) from Hollywood Park. Also on tap is a preview of next week's Royal Ascot meet, England's premier race week.

The Stephen Foster Handicap field includes: 2003 Stephen Foster winner Perfect Drift; Brass Hat, winner of the Donn (gr. I) and New Orleans (gr. II) Handicaps and second in the Dubai World Cup (UAE-I); California shipper Buzzards Bay, winner of the All American (gr. III) and Oaklawn (gr. II) Handicaps; Love of Money, Master Command, West Virginia, Wiggins, M B Sea, Seek Gold, and Cosmonaut. Last year's Stephen Foster was won by 2005 Horse of the Year Saint Liam.

The Fleur De Lis Handicap is led by 2005 Ballerina Stakes (gr. I) winner Happy Ticket. Also slated to run are a pair of horses trained by Todd Pletcher: Oonagh Maccool, winner of last month's Louisville Breeders' Cup (gr. II), and La Reason. Gallant Secret and Soul Search may also compete.

http://news.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=34010

Looks like some good racing this weekend. Don't forget the Ogden Phipps and the Californian too.

I'm rooting for West Virginia in the Stephen Foster but, he does not stand much of a chance. He's a good hard knocking horse but he is in over his head in Grade I's.

<on edit> Spun Sugar is in this weekend at Belmont. I love that horse.

I'm rooting for Perfect Drift, of course; I pick Brass Hat or Buzzard's Bay to take it, though.

I think Oonagh Maccool could be something special -- got a chance to see her run a couple times.

I think he just didn't see that other horse comin'.

Oonagh MacCool is a nice horse. I hope those two racemares hook up a couple of times this year.

I didn't expect a race like that out of him considering his race prior. Truly, a "gutsy gelding." :)

Happy Ticket is a tough mare and gritty.

From NTRA.com:
NTRA National Pick 4 Ticket Recommendations:
(Verify Program Numbers before betting)

$1 minimum NTRA National Pick 4, $120 ticket option:
Phipps: #1 Bending Strings, #3 Spun Sugar, #4 Take D’ Tour
Fleur De Lis: #1 Oonagh Maccool, #2 Happy Ticket
Foster: #1 Buzzards Bay, #3 West Virginia, #8 Wild Desert, #9 Brass Hat, #10 Love of Money
Californian: #1 Yes He’s a Pistol, #4 Preachinatthebar, #6 Spellbinder, #8 Ice Cole

$1 minimum NTRA National Pick 4, $48 ticket option:
Phipps: #1 Bending Strings, #3 Spun Sugar, #4 Take D’ Tour
Fleur De Lis: #1 Oonagh Maccool, #2 Happy Ticket
Foster: #1 Buzzards Bay, #3 West Virginia
Californian: #1 Yes He’s a Pistol, #4 Preachinatthebar, #6 Spellbinder, #8 Ice Cole

$1 minimum NTRA National Pick 4, $30 “Longshot” ticket option:
Phipps: #1 Bending Strings, #3 Spun Sugar, #4 Take D’ Tour
Fleur De Lis: #1 Oonagh Maccool, #2 Happy Ticket
Foster: #1 Buzzards Bay, #3 West Virginia, #8 Wild Desert, #9 Brass Hat, #10 Love of Money
Californian: #8 Ice Cole

http://www.ntra.com/content.aspx?type=feature&id=18428

My $1 ticket:
Phipps: #3 Spun Sugar
Fleur De Lis: #1 Oonagh MacCool
Foster: #9 Brass Hat
Californian: #4 Preachinatthebar

Seek Gold, a 91-1 shot, won the Stephen Foster by a nose from Perfect Drift.

He paid 185.40
He carried 112 pounds. I think PD carried 118.

Yikes.

Zito's gonna be wanting that horse back.

Congrats on you guys getting the show spot yesterday.

We had a NY bred break his maiden on the grass Fri. in 1:08.4

That is a nice NY bred.

I thought I had all your horses on horse watches. Congratulations, OB. That is a very good time.

On Moquett, the trainer: http://drf.com/news/article/75636.html.

(I've been to Blue Ribbon Downs ... small place! I was there for a concert, though -- not the racing.)

And on the owners: http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060618/COLUMNISTS01/606180470.

Prett neat readin'.

From DRF:
Brother Derek, the top 3-year-old male in California this year, is being pointed for the $1 million Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park on Aug. 6, trainer Dan Hendricks said on Wednesday.

Brother Derek finished fourth in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes in May and resumed training last weekend after being given a one-month break.

Hendricks said the Grade 1 Haskell is an attractive goal because a Grade 1 win at a track outside of California could enhance Brother Derek's value at stud. His five stakes wins have come in California.

"It'd be nice to win," Hendricks said of the Haskell. "For standing at stud, it would make a huge difference to the farms that are interested in him."

http://www.drf.com/news/article/75704.html

Increasing his value at stud. I guess that is more important than proving what a good horse he is or winning an Eclipse Award. I understand the money side of this business but, damn.

Good distance and speedy track -- hopefully, it will suit him. I believe Sinister Minister is pointed there also. I think that's a strange comment about increasing stud value -- indication he's done after his 3-year-old year? Hope not but seems likely to me.

win or lose. Damn shame really.

if he's still doing well -- think the Blood Horse article mentioned that as a possibility. But dang I'm tired of good three-year-olds going off to stud duty after the year's end. Damn shame indeed.

I love that this hard-trying lady is around and still racing all over the world. Five Grade I victories ... how rare is that these days?

http://racing.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=34095

Ouija Board Casts Spell Over Prince of Wales's Field
by The Associated Press
Date Posted: 6/21/2006 12:45:42 PM
Last Updated: 6/21/2006 6:11:27 PM

Lord Derby's Ouija Board, the 2004 Eclipse Award winner as the top female turf horse, made a late dash to win Wednesday's Prince of Wales's Stakes (Eng-I) at Royal Ascot.

The 5-year-old daughter of Cape Cross, off at odds of 8-1 and ridden by Oliver Peslier, overtook her rivals in the final half-furlong.

Electrocutionist, ridden by veteran Frankie Dettori of Italy, led for much of the race but finished second, half a length back. Manduro was three quarters of a length away in third. Favored David Junior was fourth.

The 1 1/4-mile race was Ouija Board's fifth group I win. She won the 2004 Alberto VO5 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (gr. IT).

** snip, rest at link above **

Good for her! What a great mare.

and Mick had his first start of the year and he got the win too. Drew of by 4 or 5 and he looked great and raced very well. Jack give him a great drive.

Thanks for letting me know. Congratulations.

you have always been so generous with your time and knowledge.

This was just one small step and a easy spot for Mickey Gilly but, it sure feels good today.

I see you have a few in today and I wish you the best of luck.

Enjoy your win and give the Mick a pat for me.

That's great news ... hope he keeps improving for you.

we never know how he's going to be day to day, he was ready to go a month ago and popped a gravel just before we were gonna qualify him.

http://www.drf.com/news/article/75810.html

Asmussen handed lengthy suspension
By MARY RAMPELLINI
The Louisiana Racing Commission on Friday upheld a ruling that suspends Steve Asmussen, the second leading trainer in North America, for six months for a medication infraction at Evangeline Downs in Opelousas, La. The suspension is scheduled to begin on July 10.

Asmussen has a 30-day window to decide if he wants to appeal the decision in court.

The ruling stems from a March 24 race in which the Asmussen-trained No End in Sight tested positive for the Class 2 drug Mepivicaine, a local anesthetic. Class 2 medications are defined by the Association of Racing Commissioners International as drugs that have the potential to affect performance. Local anesthetics are included in this class because of their potential use as nerve-blocking agents, according to the ARCI.

The medication infraction at Evangeline was one of two Asmussen had in March. The other was for an Acepromazine positive in New Mexico. Asmussen has appealed that ruling, and will have a hearing in August.

** snip, rest of the story at link above **

Edenwold, Canada's champ two-year-old wins the Queen's Plate at Woodbine: http://racing.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=34147

Hurricane Run loses in Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (only the second loss in his career): http://www.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=34150

Memorette finally lands a graded stakes win in Beverly Hills: http://racing.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=34140

Showing up (owned by Barbaro's owners Roy and Gretchen Jackson) scores on turf with Colonial Turf Cup (following 6th place finish in the Kentucky Derby): http://racing.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=34139

Film Maker wins All Along Breeder's Cup in first start of the year: http://racing.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=34138

Noble Stella holds off Angara to take the New York Breeder's Cup: http://racing.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=34136

Hi everyone!

Here's a neat contest some of you might like - it's not racing, but breeding (Hanoverians). Spruce Meadows is one of the top venues for show jumping in the world, and every year they sponsor a contest - name the foal.

Here's the direct link with the details: http://www.sprucemeadows.com/name_the_foal.htm

And yes, a number of Americans have won in the past. Good luck!