Update 628: It is Mike Rea’s birthday on tuesday: Please Don’t Forget Mike Rea’s Birthday!
Update 627: Tim called back and Randy’s Bullet appeared to be cooling out in good order.
Update 626: Just spoke to Tim. Randy’s Bullet broke his maiden at Laurel, was produced with great timing to win the race. Tim is now on his way back to the receiving barn to see him. He believes all is well, and will call back in 30 minutes with an update. Gator Nation was put on the front end, and for a second start it was a tough thing to do, he ran a little green down the lane.
Miraculous Miss, how fantastic was it to see her return with a win. She spotted the field a few lengths but came with a sweeping run and it was just great to see. She looked great in the paddock, very cool and calm. Clearly no ill effects from her Acorn experience. I saw Steve Klesaris directly after the race and congratulated him, he was pretty excited. Lil, his wife and assistant, was walking her back after the race and she just looked completely elated. Very cool! As far as the rest of Delaware, both Graham Motion and Michael Matz had winners also, so a decent day for Fair Hill, Ramon Dominguez cleaned up!
Showing Up seemed to run well in the Man o’ War, he looked like he was trying to bite another horse early in the race. He was a little keen down the backside and I think that may have been his undoing. Anyway, a good performance for a 3yo facing older horses on the turf for the first time. I imagine the turf was a little yielding. I’ll call Barclay in the next day or so to see how he came out of the race. It seems Barclay had a nice winner earlier on the card.
I received the following e-mail from Sue McMullen reporting on the top European racing today:
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A feast of racing today for racegoers at York and Leopardstown. First York, where the St Leger was relocated from Doncaster while the latter is closed for rebuilding. There’s an old saying that the fastest horse wins the Guineas, the luckiest horse wins the Epsom Derby and the best horse wins the St Leger and Sixties Icon, under a confident ride by Frankie Dettori, underlined this piece of racing folklore. Described as the ‘easiest Classic he’s ever won’ and his fourth St Leger, Frankie had little to fear from anything else in the race and when he asked the favourite to quicken, Sixties Icon proved he was the class horse of the race and cruised effortlessly to the front, never in danger of being headed. Trainer Jeremy Noseda, winning his first British Classic, couldn’t be there to savour victory as he is currently at the Keeneland sales so anybody reading this from the sales who saw a mad Brit leaping up and down watching a monitor, it was probably him. Sixties Icon is described by his groom Sean as ‘a show off, just like Frankie!’ It was a refreshing change to see some credit go to his regular work rider, Mick Deniro (I’m sure Alex will appreciate this!) as the jockeys tend to get all the glory when so much of the daily work at home goes unmentioned.
Meanwhile at Leopardstown yet another thrilling finish to the Irish Champion Stakes, which never fails to light up the season. The toughest mares in training, Ouija Board and Alexander Goldrun were taken on by Dylan Thomas, winner of the Irish Derby. An imposing individual, representing Ballydoyle and ridden by Kieren Fallon, Dylan locked horns with Ouija in the home stretch and at one point Lord Derby’s tough-as-teak mare headed the Aiden O’Brien colt. But Dylan lengthened his stride (memories of our Bobby here) and fought back. So it was not Ouija’s day but she gave him a real fight, battling her heart out to the wire with the game Alexander Goldrun, who was forced to challenge wide, in third.
This seems to be a day for the old sayings and another one is ‘don’t get beaten by one you’ve past’ so Jamie Spencer might well have an attack of ‘if only’ as it could be said that he went too soon and ruined Ouija’s chances. But you can’t take anything away from the winner, who had the services of one of the world’s best pilots, and the gallant mare lost nothing in defeat. Lord Derby, or ‘Teddy’ as he is known to his friends, has enjoyed the most incredible rollercoaster ride over the last few years and he is desperately proud of Ouija Board and all she has accomplished around the world, as indicated by this comment to RTE sport. “She has run a brave race and it was no disgrace being beaten by an Irish Derby winner to whom she was giving 4lb. She’s a truly loyal horse and always tries her best.”
Following victory in what is regarded as a seriously prestigious race in the global racing calendar, Dylan Thomas will be aimed at the Breeders’ Cup, in either the Turf or the Classic.
It was also good to see Kieren in the familiar dark blue colours of his employers and regardless of the accusations made against him, there are many in the UK who believe a man is innocent until proven guilty and were outraged that he was suspended from riding while awaiting trial.
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Note: Kieren Fallon is currently suspended in England from riding, and will not be riding in the Breeders’ Cup.
Update 625: Before I report on racing today I wanted to give you an update on Lost in the Fog I just received from the press office at Golden Gate Fields (Tom Ferrall):
Lost in the Fog was resting in his stall at Golden Gate Fields Saturday, two days after receiving his first chemotherapy treatment at UC Davis.
The champion sprinter of 2005 had the chemotherapy treatment Thursday and was able to return home to Golden Gate Fields Friday afternoon.
“I think it (the treatment) affected him a little bit, but he’s eating and he’s drinking,” reported trainer Greg Gilchrist Saturday. “He seems a little tired, but that’s to be expected. I think he’ll snap out of it.”
Gilchrist said Lost in the Fog, who was diagnosed with three cancerous tumors last month, will have his next chemotherapy treatment “Sept. 27 or Sept. 28.”
Gilchrist said he thanks everyone for the tremendous support that he, owner Harry J. Aleo and Lost in the Fog have received.
Lost in the Fog vigil, tonight, 7 pm, whereever you are, whatever you are doing, spare some thoughts for the Fog.
Thanks, Alex…
Thank you VB for keeping this going 