Royal Ascot is on NBC Sports Network every morning from now through Saturday. The Queen’s Procession drawn by the Windsor Grays arrives every morning at 9:00 EST.
There is betting on the color of the Queen’s hat- blue is heavily favored this morning.
So, for the people betting, are they calling that blue, or lavender? On my screen it looks lavender, but I guess could be called periwinkle blue. I’ve been distracted so missed the results.
OK – “cornflower blue.” So all the blue-bettors won!
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Won’t be able to watch until later today but have all 5 days on my DVR 
The Queen’s procession is one of my favorite parts.
NBCSN Tue-Fri, NBC on Saturday.
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Maven is entered for Wesley Ward. AP’s first ever winner back in April. He will be running in a Grade 2.
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So cool to see John Velasquez and young Tyler G greeting Frankie Dettori and the other English jockey (whose name I don’t know), and then walking the course, just as if they were one of us at the KHP or Badminton. 
Time repeats itself …
There’s a horse in this race named Western Australia. He’s by Australia, who won The Derby 5 years ago. Their names remind me of two ancestors of Man o’War and a lot of other American Thoroughbreds – West Australian and his son Australian, who became the grandsire of Hastings, who was the grandsire of Man o’ War.
It’s too bad Show Me Show Me isn’t a filly. They could breed her to Accident Agent and get a colt or filly who would stay in the gate 'til the break and then actually run.
Wesley Ward trained Kimari finished 2nd, narrowly beaten, in the G2 Queen Mary S. today. His Anna’s Fast ran well early but ended up 16th (of 24).
The winner was Raffle Prize (by Slade Power) owned by Sheikh Hamdan Bun Mohmmed al Maktoum.
Ward’s other 2 starters, Karak and Foolish Humor finished 15th and 20th in the listed Windsor Castle S.
Maven is out…
https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/234303/maven-to-be-scratched-from-norfolk-stakes
So green (from high desert dweller)! I was watching the video of Show Me Show Me cantering around by himself and thought how cool would it be to ride there.
Susan
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Save up some money and go spend a summer working in a yard in Newmarket.
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John Velazquez was suspended for incorrect whip use for the ride in the Queen Mary on Kimari. It’s interesting. He must have known the rules were different in England.
https://www.paulickreport.com/news/t…-for-whip-use/
He’ll serve his 9 day suspension in July at Belmont.
I know just what you mean. I always feel the same way.
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I wish. No one would hire me. I have lots of friends who have done Darley’s amazing Flying Start program. I said to one, “That would be a dream thing for me to do.” He replied, “Except in your case it would be the Flying Finish.” :lol:
(I am twice as old as he is.)
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Well, maybe just get back to him that one of the Darley Arabian’s most famous sons was named Flying Childers …
So you could tell your friend that you are a flying child and you can win at this.
[IMG]https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2b/Flying_Childers.jpg)
Glad to hear that Maven has been scratched from the Norfolk Stakes today. I’m disappointed not to get to see him race at Ascot, but his well-being is more important and I like that Wesley Ward cares about his young horse.
https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/234303/maven-to-be-scratched-from-norfolk-stakes
One commentator at Ascot just said he thinks it’s a pity that the person who looks after the horse day in and day out isn’t the one who gets to lead him into this most famous of winners’ circles. The other commentator agreed but said that it’s the person who pays the bills – the owner – who gets to do the honors.
Problem is, the owner doesn’t just pay the bills. He pays the people. The people who look after his horses day in and day out and without whom he could not race his horses at all. Hopefully it’s only this sheikh who has that attitude.
Now, if the American announcer would just learn how to pronounce “Ascot” and stop saying “Ass-COTT”! :lol:
And BTW, maybe it’s time Americans learned how to pronounce “sheikh” although it’s unfortunate we should mention the word at all, in any context …
I enjoyed watching the two American jockeys walking the course, reminding me of eventers. I could sort of identify with them that way.
I know Show Me Show Me was causing stress to a lot of horses (and a lot of people) but I found him highly entertaining and was laughing my head off at him, especially when he stopped and started to graze. :lol:
Wow, Frankie Dettori knows how to be politically correct! xxx!
It is interesting but the same sanctions against incorrect and over the top whip use should be mandated here as well. The whip use in Europe is more of windmill style that uses less force and power.
I know Johnny V is one of the good guys but that doesn’t mean the way they hit these horses in north America is proper and I am glad he was suspended for it. Europe has been very proactive in adopting rules in regards to whip use, not out-right banning it, and ensuring those rules are enforced.
This isn’t to say Europe’s own top riders are not suspended for whip use. it happens regularly.
