Walter Swinburn is hopeful that Scotsfold can defy odds of 33-1 in Saturday’s Coral Eclipse at Sandown.

The son of Barathea ran a very respectable race at Royal Ascot, when a six-length sixth to Duke Of Marmalade in the Prince Of Wales’.

He must reverse form with Phoenix Tower and Pipedreamer, but Swinburn believes that the horse is entitled to take his chance.

He told At The Races: “That run was much more like in because [he had disappointed previously at Chester].

“That was his best race so far. He’s a horse who comes good in the second half of the season.

“It’s a very open event and that’s another reason why we’re taking our chance.

“He’s not going to be disgraced; he’s a very honest horse. If we can get another dry day, he’s lots going for him.”
(Source: Setanta Sports)

MANY pundits are proclaiming this year’s race the most competitive Durban July in many years. There are always “spooks’’ in any race if you are looking for them but why should one have to? There are a number of top-class, proven runners in this year’s Vodacom-sponsored race and when looking for the winner, it is silly to look past them.

Pocket Power is currently on offer at 33-10 and is a worthy favourite. Mike Bass’s runner is the best horse in the country over this distance and if this was a weight-for-age event, he would start at a very short price.

Although he is set to carry 58kg and is conceding weight to all the other runners, it will take a very good horse to stop him. The runner capable of doing that is undoubtedly Sean Tarry’s Buy and Sell.

He was my selection last year when he was narrowly beaten into second by Hunting Tower. Based on last year’s race, he is not well off at the weights with either Hunting Tower or Pocket Power, who finished fourth, just a head behind Buy and Sell.

However, looking at more recent form, Buy and Sell is well weighted - with Pocket Power in particular.

He finished fourth in the J&B Met, 2.05 lengths behind the son of Jet Master, and Piere Strydom felt that if he had been able to get to a gap before Our Giant, he would have finished a lot closer.

Buy and Sell is 2kg better off with Pocket Power on that run and 2.5kg better off on their Gold Challenge run, in which he finished a neck ahead of Pocket Power.

If Pocket Power was unsuited to the slow pace in that 1600m race at Clairwood, then so was Buy and Sell. Johnny Geroudis tried to keep him up with the front-runners but in a sprint down the straight, he had little hope of pacing it out with the likes of Dancer’s Daughter and Imbongi.

Tarry is the master of understatement and when he says “Buy and Sell is doing extremely well and I’m sure he will have a say in the finish’’. There is a lot more confidence exuding from that guarded statement than appears on the surface.

His runner has a No 16 draw, but good gate speed combined with the services of Felix Coetzee should enable Buy and Sell to overcome the obstacle.

He has run twice at this track, both over 2200m, for a win and a narrow second. When he won the Daily News over 2200m last year, he was drawn at No 14 and still coasted in by 3.25 lengths from Lucky Find, who set the Dubai tracks alight earlier this year.

Pocket Power must be his biggest threat. He is well drawn, well handicapped and sounder than last year.

“He is doing well, working well and I think he is right back to best this week,’’ said Bass. “Being as good as he is, he is probably the horse to beat. It depends how much weight he can give away and to whom.

“Whether the bottomweights can beat him, I don’t know. He ran well last year and I think he will run well again this year. I believe he will be in the finish. If he gets his head in front, then good luck.’’

Lightly weighted four-year-olds have a great record in the Durban July and this year River Jetez fits that mould. Many people discount her win in the Astrapak 1900 at this track, but that was her second outing after a layoff and she did well to get up in a slow-run race over a distance short of her best. With just 50.5kg to shoulder, she carries 3kg less than in the Astrapak over 300m shorter and has a superb pilot in Jeff Lloyd, who is seeking his first win in the race.

“I think she’s come on since the Astrapak,’’ said Bass. “She seems to have improved a little bit here, is stronger and working better so perhaps she’s got a shout. It’s a tough call for her so I just hope she goes pretty close. I’m very happy to have Jeff Lloyd riding her.’’

There are two schools of thought on the three-year-olds. Many believe one of the five will take top honours while others feel they are not good enough.

Perhaps trainer Mike de Kock put it into perspective when talking about his sole runner, Galant Gagnant: “He has had a good prep but I can’t see him as a July winner. I have had two winners before and they were in a different division to him. He has run with the best of the three-year-olds and I suppose we have to take our chances based on the form. I will be ecstatic if he runs in the first four to be honest.’’

One can throw a blanket over Galant Gagnant, Russian Sage and Tan Can, so if De Kock gives his runner little chance, the other two should struggle as well. Eddington may well have won the Gommagomma Challenge but he is a bit of a mud lark and thrived in those conditions. Lion’s Blood’s last run was shocking and he will need colossal improvement to win.

Wendywood is an unknown. Every bit of commonsense says a filly who had not seen a racetrack six weeks ago and then won two races cannot have a chance in the Durban July. But for any runner to win a Grade 1 race over 2000m at the second time of asking is an extraordinary feat and Tarry would not be fielding her if he felt she had no chance.

“She’s obviously inexperienced and that’s her only negative. Otherwise she is a very, very good filly. She is drawn well (No 1) and her prep has gone extremely well. I know she is good enough and if the inexperience doesn’t catch her out, she is a big runner.’’

Anton Marcus will become the first jockey ride five July winners should Pick Six capture the race. Despite being well weighted, Pick Six failed in a plated race behind St Raphael last time and his conqueror did little to frank the form when unplaced in the Gold Challenge.

Dancer’s Daughter has her fans but even if she does have the necessary stamina for this 2200m (which is questionable on the way she runs), I cannot see her confirming the Gold Challenge form with Pocket Power or Buy and Sell over this distance.

There is also a formline from the Paddock Stakes, where she is 4kg worse off with River Jetez, that indicates she will battle to beat Bass’s filly over 2200m.

One always has to respect Ormond Ferraris and Weichong Marwing but She’s on Fire is close to Eddington form and if one does not rate him with a serious chance, she should also not be a contender.
(Source: Tabonline)

Nownownow, winner of the inaugural Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf last fall, has been transferred to Southern California trainer Jason Orman after beginning the year in Europe.

Nownownow finished last of five in the Irish Two Thousand Guineas (Ire-G1) on May 24 at the Curragh in his lone start for David Wachman, who took over the colt’s training while Patrick Biancone serves a one-year suspension for a violation in Kentucky.

Bred and raced by Fabien Ouaki’s Fab Oak Stable, Nownownow returned to the United States on June 17. Eleven days later, he breezed five furlongs in :58.20 on the synthetic track at Santa Anita Park.

Orman said the Whywhywhy colt would be considered for the Swaps Stakes (G2) on July 12 on the Cushion Track at Hollywood Park.

“We’ll see how he works next week,” said Orman, who is training six horses for Fab Oak. “He worked too fast here last week. He came out of the work good though so we’re going to let him work one more time and we’ll see.”

Nownownow scored by a half-length on yielding turf in the Juvenile Turf at Monmouth Park. His only other win in seven career starts came on turf in the With Anticipation Stakes at Saratoga Race Course. His finished second in a 4 1/2-furlong maiden race last April in his only start on a synthetic track.
(Source: Thoroughbred Times)

Posted 3 July 2008
Updated 4 July 2008

This evening Hamburg will stage one of the most telling trials for the Preis der Diana, the German Oaks, run at Dusseldorf on 3 August.

The eleven-furlong G.3 Grosser Preis der Jungheinrich Gabelstapler, formerly known simply as the Fährhofer Stutenpreis, has attracted a field of ten, with two runners representing Irish and French stables.

Racecard available here

If the G.2 Diana Trial at Cologne three weeks ago is a good indicator of ability then Splash Mountain, ¾-length runner-up to Baila Me, would top the field however this was her first placing from three career starts.

One length back was Goathemala, a filly who saw the track for the first time a month previously and who solidly beat her rivals. She looks to have a lot of ability.

Auentime won her maiden at the third attempt last year and after placing fourth in Listed company in May ran fourth in the Diana Trial and looks to be progressing.

Sixth on that occasion was Larella who, in spite of running second in a Listed as a juvenile, has shown little form from two runs this term.

A pair of fillies who have raced just once to date are Waldemar Hickst’s Salve Germania, an easy maiden winner last month, and Umirage from the Hans Blume yard who was equally impressive. While it is difficult to assess form based on these runs, both come from in-form stables.

The inclusion of Lady Marian is an interesting one. Werner Baltromei, who has taken to chasing better prizemoney in France, has done precisely that with this filly but from five starts over two seasons she has managed to place just once. She was not disgraced however when fifth to subsequent G.2 Prix Malleret winner Treat Gently at Longchamp in May.

Rounding off the domestic runners is Ashantee who was thought to have decent ability but despite one Listed place has never really produced the goods in decent company, but does come off a solid win at Strasbourg over 10½ furlongs.

Of the two foreign raiders Alex Pantall’s Yarastar looks the better of the pair. Previously trained by Kevin Prendergast for whom she won her maiden at Tipperary, she left Ireland after her two year-old season. Not out of the money from four starts she comes off a good Listed win and looks a threat. The only question mark remains whether she will get the extra furlong today.

Eamonn Tyrrell, who ran Impetious for fifth place in the G.3 Preis der Spielbank on Wednesday, saddles Flure De Leise, a good maiden winner at the end of May. She has since disappointed in two runs, most recently eighth in the Ulster Oaks at Down Royal.

The Diana Trial form is unlikely to run true this evening and a number of fillies will have come on in the meantime. Goathemala and Yarastar are a pair worth keeping in mind while the maiden winners Lady Marian and Umirage could indeed have Oaks potential.
RacingNewswire

Nite in Rome will make a belated three-year-old debut in Sunday’s $150,000 Ontario Damsel Stakes at Woodbine.

The turf event, which is restricted to Ontario-foaled fillies, has attracted a field of seven.

The E.P. Taylor Turf Course may be all that the Mark Casse-trained Nite in Rome needs to return to the races running. In two career starts on the lawn, the Ontario-bred has one win and one runner-up finish.

The W.S. Farish charge debuted over the same surface last July, rallying from fourth to break her maiden by 1 3/4 lengths. She followed up the victory with a strong second-place finish to stablemate Clearly Foxy in the Natalma Stakes.

The daughter of Harlan’s Holiday may also have another intangible working in her favor on Sunday. She’ll be partnered for the first time by jockey Corey Fraser, who has a knack for winning this race.

Fraser first won the Ontario Damsel in 2004, aboard Bob Tiller-trained Velvet Snow.

“Velvet Snow was my first career stakes win,” recalled Fraser, who is going for his third win in the 6 1/2-furlong dash. “It was a small field and we beat Financingavailable - one of the few times she was beat.”

Fraser returned to the Ontario Damsel winner’s circle in 2005, guiding Top Ten List to a wire-to-wire score, also for Tiller and co-owner Frank DiGiulio. Last year, Fraser finished fourth aboard Pugilistic.

Fraser said he looks forward to teaming with Nite in Rome and taking a shot at the Ontario Damsel hat trick.

He would join Brian Swatuk, Robin Platts, Don Seymour, Robert Landry and Patrick Husbands as the only riders to capture the event on three occasions.

The Ontario Damsel is slated for race six on Sunday’s 10-race programme.

ONTARIO DAMSEL STAKES

POST - HORSE - JOCKEY - TRAINER

1 - Krz Exec - Jerry Baird - Michael DePaulo
2 - Shilla - David Clark - Nicholas Gonzalez
3 – Anne’s Purse - Eurico Rosa da Silva - Earl Barnett
4 - Gloriously - Patrick Husbands - Mark Casse
5 - Black Mink - Emile Ramsammy - Mike DePaulo
6 - Nite in Rome - Corey Fraser - Mark Casse
7 - Running Single - David Garcia - Pat Parente
(Source: Woodbine Entertainment)

The talk prior to last year’s Salvator Mile centered on Lawyer Ron and how the race would be his springboard to the inaugural Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile.

Sent off at 1-10, Lawyer Ron made a late run but came up a neck short of catching Gottcha Gold. The favorite was beaten, and a new star was born in the division.

On Saturday, Gottcha Gold tops the Grade 3 Salvator at Monmouth Park, facing five rivals in the return to the race that put him on the map.

“We’re kind of in Lawyer Ron’s spot now,” said trainer Eddie Plesa Jr. “Everybody expected Lawyer Ron to win and he got beat. Everybody will probably be expecting us to win. Hopefully we’ll reverse last year’s trend.”

This year, the Salvator is a Breeders’ Cup Challenge Win and You’re In race, with the winner getting an automatic berth in the Dirt Mile at Santa Anita in October.

Following last year’s Salvator, Gottcha Gold also took the Grade 3 Iselin Handicap here in August before closing out the season with a game second in the rain-soaked Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Monmouth.

The 5-year-old Gottcha Gold is in fine form, winning the Grade 3 Skip Away Handicap at Gulfstream Park while missing by only a neck in the Grade 1 Pimlico Special.

“He’s doing as good as he’s ever done,” Plesa said. “I couldn’t feel any better about how he’s coming into the race.”

The major change will be in the saddle. Regular rider Chuckie Lopez, who was an excellent complement to Gottcha Gold’s abundant early speed, remains sidelined with a foot injury. That job now goes to Eddie Castro.

“It all boils down to how well Eddie gets along with this horse,” Plesa said. “I think he’ll get along with him fine. Eddie is smart. He’s looked at tapes of this horse, numerous races. He’s seen the horse’s likes and dislikes. He’ll pick up on all that.”

Gottcha Gold will renew his rivalry with Indy Wind, who finished third in last year’s Salvator and Iselin.

Indy Wind, 6, will be retired at the end of this year by owner-trainer Amy Tarrant. He has been hampered by injuries throughout his career, and Tarrant would love to see the horse capture a graded stakes before bowing out.

“I’ve had him since he was a baby, and I want a nice future for him as a stallion,” Tarrant said. “It’s very important that we do this before he gets retired.”

Stewart Elliott, aboard for Indy Wind’s dominant win in the Frisk Me Now Stakes here on June 7, has the return call.

Completing the field are Honest Man, Better Than Bonds, Notional, and Rathor.
(Source: ESPN)

Juddmonte Farms’s California-based homebred Champs Elysees (GB) will meet eight challengers at Monmouth Park on Saturday as he attempts to earn his first Grade 1 victory in the $750,000 United Nations Stakes (G1).

The1 3/8-mile contest on Monmouth’s turf course takes on even greater importance as the Breeders’ Cup Challenge “Win and You’re In” series goes into high gear at the Oceanport, New Jersey, track with the United Nations winner earning an automatic starting berth in the $3-million Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) on October 25 at Santa Anita Park.

Champs Elysees, winner last year of a Group 3 race in France and second in a Group 1 in Italy, has raced exclusively in California since arriving in the United States, winning the San Marcos Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita Park and finishing on the board in four of his five starts against Grade 1 and Grade 2 competition.

The five-year-old Danehill horse makes his East Coast debut after finishing sixth to Artiste Royal (Ire) in the Charles Whittingham Memorial Handicap (G1) on June 7.

Patricia Generazio’s Presious Passion has never been to California but the five-year-old Royal Anthem gelding has done quite well in the East, earning wins in last year’s W. L. McKnight Handicap (G2) at Calder Race Course and the Cliff Hanger Stakes (G3) at the Meadowlands. He added this year’s Pan American Handicap (G3) at Gulfstream Park before finishing second in his most recent start in Monmouth’s Battlefield Stakes, a race that came off the turf and was run on a very sloppy track.

“He needed to race,” trainer Mary Hartmann said of her decision to run in the Battlefield. “If we wanted to make this race, he needed to run. I thought he did okay in the slop, especially since that was the first time he ever raced on an off track.

“And the best part is he didn’t hurt himself. He came out of the race great and he’s trained well since.”

Presious Passion, who prefers to race on the lead, set turf course records at Monmouth in 2006 at 1 1/16-miles and in 2007 at one-mile but the United Nations distance should not present a problem. His Pan American victory was at 1 ½-miles, and a victory Saturday would also have extra meaning for Hartmann.

“This is my first horse ever in a Grade 1 race, and it’s really exciting.”

The field, in post-position order, with (sire), jockey, weight, and trainer:

1. Champs Elysees [GB] (Danehill), Ramon A. Dominguez, 120, Robert J. Frankel;

2. Equitable (A.P. Indy), Kent J. Desormeaux, 118, William I. Mott;

3. Presious Passion (Royal Anthem), Eddie Castro, 118, Mary Hartmann;

4. Buddy’s Humor (Distorted Humor), Carlos H. Marquez, Jr., 118, Bruce N. Levine;

5. Independent George (Cozzene), Joe Bravo, 118, H. Graham Motion;

6. Sudan [IRE] (Peintre Celebre), Ramon A. Dominguez, 118, Robert J. Frankel;

7. Ra Der Dean (Rahy), A. R. Napravnik, 118, Edward Maher;

8. Strike a Deal (Smart Strike), Jose Lezcano, 118, Alan E. Goldberg; and

9. Crown Point (Honor Grades), Stewart Elliott, 118, David G. Donk.
(Source: Thoroughbred Times)

Connections of Campanologist and Literato are keeping a close eye on the weather ahead of the Coral-Eclipse Stakes at Sandown on Saturday.

Although both horses are reported to be in fine shape, the pair want contrasting conditions.

Campanologist, the winner of the King Edward VII Stakes and the mount of Frankie Dettori, is suited by a quick surface.

Darryl Holland’s ride Literato, who took Newmarket’s Champion Stakes last season when he was trained in France, is best with cut in the ground.

“They are both in good form. Campanologist won very well last time at Royal Ascot and he likes good to firm ground, but Literato would prefer it soft,” said trainer Saeed bin Suroor.

“We are waiting for the weather forecast then we will decide, but I’m happy with both of them.”

Holland is hoping Literato can give him a third Eclipse triumph following victories aboard Compton Admiral (1999) and Falbrav (2003).

“He’s a very good horse and won the Champion Stakes. He’s always shown his best form with conditions underfoot. Hopefully, we’d like to see a bit of rain,” said the jockey.

“Obviously Frankie has the first choice so he has decided Campanologist is the better ride. But it’s nice to be put in the frame.

“It’s always a race I’ve done very well in. I’ve won the race twice and finished second on Warrsan. “It’s a good race for me and a good race to win.”

Ladbrokes have put their heads on the block, pushing Literato out to 9-1 from 7-1 while clipping Campanologist into 8-1 from 10s.

Their spokesman David Williams said: “The weather forecasts are having a huge bearing on the market. We’ve one eye on our liabilities and one eye on the skies.”

Coral cut Campanologist to 9-1 from 12-1, while the John Gosden-trained Pipedreamer has continued to attract support.

He was also shortened in the sponsors’ list to 9-2 from 5-1, having been cut from 11-2 on Thursday.

“Pipedreamer has been by far the best-backed horse over the last 24 hours but we are just starting to see a steady stream of very shrewd money for the Godolphin contender, Campanologist,” said Coral spokesman Simon Clare.

“This year’s Eclipse may lack a division leader but it promises to be one of the most competitive betting heats in the 33 years we have sponsored the race.”

Since 1976 the longest-priced favourite we have seen in the Eclipse has been Kooyonga at 7-2 in 1992 and it is not impossible that the on-course bookies could bet 4-1 the field come Saturday.

Henry Cecil is doubly represented with Phoenix Tower and Multidimensional among a field of nine declared for the Group One.

Both horses go the Esher track on the back of fine performances at Royal Ascot, where Phoenix Tower was second in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes and Multidimensional runner-up in the Hardwicke Stakes.

Phoenix Tower is another who would prefer a fast surface, according to connections.

“He came out of Ascot very well and Henry seems very pleased with him. This looks a really interesting opportunity,” said Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager to owner Khalid Abdullah.

“He’s been a really solid horse. At Ascot we were fairly confident the 10 furlongs would not present a great problem to him.

“He would like good fast ground on Saturday and he certainly would not like it too soft,” Grimthorpe told At The Races.
(Source: Daily Mail)

Bob Baffert offered no excuses for his prized filly Indian Blessing during her last two races – the only two losses of her career. In fact, Baffert says those two setbacks should only help the daughter of Indian Charlie going forward. Her next test is the $250,000 Prioress Stakes (gr. I) July 5 at Belmont.

“You really can’t knock her races; she ran hard in both of them,” said Baffert of Indian Blessing’s runner-up efforts in both the March 8 Fair Grounds Oaks (gr. II) and June 7 Acorn (gr. I). “She got beat by two very good fillies (Proud Spell and Zaftig, respectively). We did learn that she doesn’t like to rate, so now we’re just going to let her run and do her thing.”

The six-furlong Prioress will be a cutback in distance for Indian Blessing after running 1 1/16 miles in the Fair Grounds Oaks and a mile in the Acorn. With her early blazing speed, it should set up well for 2007’s champion 2-year-old filly. In fact, Indian Blessing will be attempting her shortest distance since breaking her maiden at 5 1/2 furlongs last August at Saratoga.

“I think she’ll like six furlongs,” Baffert added. “This should set her up well for the Test (gr. I, Aug. 2, seven furlongs) at Saratoga. She is training fantastic and she still looks great. We’re having a lot of fun with her. Any time you’re a heavy favorite you’re supposed to win. If you don’t people are going to ask what’s wrong. But there’s nothing to be ashamed about losing to those two fillies. She just needs some racing luck.”

Owned and bred by Hal and Patti Earnhardt, Indian Blessing won the first five starts of her career, including the Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I) to close out her 2-year-old season. She opened her sophomore campaign with victories in the Santa Ysabel (gr. II) at Santa Anita and Silverbulletday (gr. III) at Fair Grounds. Out of the Flying Chevron mare Shameful, she has already earned $1.6 million in her career.

John Velazquez will get the mount for the first time, as Indian Blessing will carry top weight of 122 pounds – two to six pounds more than her seven rivals.

William Stiritz’ Palanka City is the only other filly in the Prioress with a graded win. It came last out in the May 16 Adena Stallions Miss Preakness Stakes (gr. III) at Pimlico when the daughter of Carson City stalked the pace and drew off in the stretch to win by 5 1/2 lengths under Christopher Emigh. It was not only the third consecutive win for Palanka City, but the third straight at six furlongs. It makes the Terry Gestes trainee a legitimate threat.

Also a threat is undefeated Malibu Moon filly By the Light, who like Indian Blessing reeled off five consecutive wins to begin her career. The latest was in the May 24 Pearl City Stakes at Belmont, a six-furlong test in which she came from off the pace to score by 1 1/2 lengths. Owned by Jay Em Ess Stable and trained by Rick Dutrow, By the Light was bred in New York.

Also undefeated is Gulf Coast Farms’ Tale of the West. The Todd Pletcher trainee has been very impressive in two starts, winning by a combined 11 3/4 lengths. Unraced as a 2-year-old, she made her debut on the Keeneland Polytrack this spring and then romped in allowance company May 29 at Belmont. With regular rider John Velazquez on Indian Blessing, Eibar Coa gets the mount. Going gate to wire in both starts, Tale of the West could challenge Indian Blessing for the early lead, as could Secret Gypsy.

$250,000 Prioress Stakes (gr. I, Race 9, 5:15 p.m.), Three-Year-Old Fillies, Six Furlongs (Dirt)
PP. Horse, Weight, Jockey
1. Indian Way (KY), 116, Cornelio H. Velasquez
2. Honest to Betsy (KY), 118, Rajiv Maragh
3. Indian Blessing (KY), 122, John R. Velazquez
4. By the Light (NY), 120, Edgar S. Prado
5. Secret Gypsy (KY), 116, Elvis Trujillo
6. Tale of the West (KY), 118, Eibar Coa
7. Palanka City (KY), 120, Christopher A. Emigh
(Source: The Blood-Horse)

Azul Leon was favored in his May 8 debut at Hollywood Park, although 4 1/2 furlongs was considered way too short for the 2-year-old.

“We definitely thought he was quality enough, but at that distance, if he didn’t win, it would not have shocked us,” trainer Doug O’Neill said. He was right on both counts.

Azul Leon won by a head, just barely, and galloped out strongly past the wire. Azul Leon ran like he wants more distance, and Saturday at Hollywood he gets it when he starts as the likely favorite in the Grade 3 Hollywood Juvenile Championship at six furlongs.

Ten entered the $100,000 Juvenile (race 3); the field is ordinary. Main rivals for Azul Leon include trouble-prone Fassnacht, a three-start maiden; Let’spickupthepace, third in both of his starts and a candidate to alter strategy and try running from off the pace; and speedster Seismometer.

None of the meet’s fastest 2-year-olds entered. Proctor winner Backbackbackgone (84 Beyer Speed Figure) disappeared after his stakes win; special-weight winners Smokey Lonesome (80) and Kelly Leak (73) are waiting for Del Mar; S.S. Stone (87) earned the highest Beyer of the meet by a colt, but only last Sunday, and he also will wait for Del Mar.

Meanwhile, Azul Leon is likely to restore the chalky tradition of the Juvenile. Until last year’s $17.20 upset by Salute the Sarge, favorites had won 13 of the previous 15; the high payoff in that span was $8.

Cynics will find Azul Leon an easy target. His 69 Beyer is low (Juvenile par the past decade is 92). Furthermore, none of the horses Azul Leon beat have since won (combined 0 for 12), and Azul Leon had a minor setback after his maiden win.

O’Neill said Azul Leon “got a little sick on me,” but the timing was ideal, because Azul Leon missed no big races and runs Saturday at a favorable six-furlong distance.

“He’s got a tremendous stride and acts like added distance” will benefit, O’Neill said. “His last three works have been really solid.”

Rafael Bejarano rides Azul Leon, a son of hot first-crop sire Lion Heart. Lion Heart has had 12 starters through Thursday, including seven that won first out. Another colt by Lion Heart - Lyin’ Heart - was scheduled to start as one of the favorites Saturday at Churchill Downs in the Grade 3 Bashford Manor. Joe LaCombe bred and owns Azul Leon.

Others in the Hollywood Juvenile field include the Walther Solis-trained trio of Conclusive, Making Dreams and Turbo Call; Swiss Yodeler-sired winners Jack Flash and Swiss Alpine; and maiden Nochangenweather.
(Source: NTRA)

Patrick Reynolds, who trained Big Brown to his first victory last September, and Paul Pompa, Jr., who retained 25 per cent ownership after selling a majority interest in the colt after that race, are here for the American Oaks with New York invader Backseat Rhythm.

Interestingly, one of their main rivals is Kentucky invader Pure Clan, co-owned by IEAH Stable, the majority owners of Big Brown. IEAH transferred Big Brown from Reynolds to Rick Dutrow before the colt swept to national prominence by sweeping the Florida Derby, Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes this year.

Pure Clan, the 2-1 morning-line favorite, is stabled in Barn 54 North with trainer Robert Holthus and will wear the IEAH white silks with red stripes and blue stars made famous by Big Brown during the Triple Crown.

Pompa and Reynolds would like nothing better than pull an upset with Backseat Rhythm, stabled in Barn 70 North. Both horses were flown here Monday.

“The filly galloped a mile and a half against the bit the whole way this morning so it looks like she shipped out okay,” said Reynolds after the exercise under exercise rider Alberto Delgadillo.

“A light blowout tomorrow and we should sitting on go,” added Reynolds. “She worked like a banshee at Belmont the day before we shipped so we don’t want to overdo it.”

Reynolds is confident Backseat Rhythm belongs with this company despite her 20-1 morning line. “That’s a mistake,” he said of the odds. “If you isolate her in the Breeders’ Cup (where she rallied to finish third in the Juvenile Fillies), you will see she ran much better than it looked on paper. As well as she ran on dirt, she seems to have more bounce on the turf.”

Victorious in two of three grass starts, Backseat Rhythm comes off a six-length victory in an allowance race at Belmont May 23 at the Oaks distance of 1¼ miles.

“She finished second in the Frizette and third in the Breeders’ Cup, but her best numbers are on the grass, and we opted to go back to grass,” explained Pompa, a Brooklyn trucking company executive.

“She won her last race rather easily at 1¼ miles, has trained forwardly since and has the class to run with these fillies,” explained Pompa of his decision to accept the invitation.

And for meeting IEAH-owned Pure Clan? “We want to beat them,” said Pompa with a smile.

Steve Asmussen has an excellent chance to capture the Bashford Manor Stakes (gr. III) for the third time in his career, as the leading training sends out the top two choices in the $150,000-added event July 5 at Churchill Downs.

The six-furlong Bashford Manor, which is run on the main track, drew a field of eight. Asmussen won the event last year with Kodiak Kowboy.

Padua Stables’ Segal was installed as the 5-2 morning line choice. A victory by the son of Harlan’s Holiday would give Padua a fourth win in the Bashford Manor, which would be a record for wins by an owner in the event. Segal, purchased for $235,000 at the OBS 2008 selected sale of 2-year-olds in training, broke his maiden by nearly five lengths May 7 at Churchill while going five furlongs. The dark bay colt then shipped to Woodbine for the June 15 Victoria Stakes, where he tired in the stretch to finish third on the Polytrack.

Bred in New York by Becky Thomas and Tony Grey, Segal is out of the Lord At War mare Boatman Road. He turned in a five-furlong breeze in the mud June 27 at Churchill, stopping the clock in 1:01.40. Shaun Bridgmohan will ride.

Asmussen’s other entry is J. Kirk Robinson’s Lyin’ Heart, who is two-for-two in his young career. The gray-roan son of Lion Heart recorded both wins at Lone Star Park, the most recent one coming June 7 in the TTA Sales Futurity, a restricted stakes. Lyin’ Heart came from well off the pace in the five-furlong contest, pulling away down the stretch to win by 3 1/2 lengths. Bred in Kentucky by Elm Tree Farm, the 3-1 second choice will be ridden by Corey Lanerie.

Larry Rivelli will saddle 4-1 third choice My Dominick James, a son of Dance Master that Rivelli also co-owns and co-bred. The Illinois-bred colt set the Arlington Park Polytrack record at 4 1/2 furlongs June 8 when he stopped the clock in :51.22 while winning by 2 3/4 lengths under Tim Thornton.

Theregoesjojo, Medaglia d’Onore and Screen Your Friend all have maiden victories over the Churchill surface last out.

A 30-1 longshot to consider is General Quarters, who was claimed for $20,000 by Thomas McCarthy prior to taking a 4 1/2 furlong maiden claiming event at Churchill May 30. The Sky Mesa colt recorded a bullet work June 22 at Churchill, getting four furlongs in :48.60.

$150,000 Bashford Manor Stakes (gr. III, Race 10, 5:51 p.m.), Two-Year-Olds, Six Furlongs (Dirt)
PP. Horse, Weight, Jockey, Odds
1. Screen Your Friend (KY), 118, Calvin Borel, 6-1
2. Silver Bayer (KY), 118, Jesus Castanon, 5-1
3. Therehegoes (KY), 118, Robby Albarado, 5-1
4. My Dominick James (IL), 118, Tim Thornton, 4-1
5. Segal (NY), 118, Shaun Bridgmohan, 5-2
6. General Quarters (KY), 118, William Troilo 30-1
7. Lyin’ Heart (KY), 118, Corey Lanerie, 3-1
8. Medaglia d’Onore (KY), 118. Mick Ruis, 15-1
(Source: The Blood-Horse)

Samira Gold makes a belated return to the fold in a competitive bet365 Lancashire Oaks at Haydock on Saturday.

Luca Cumani’s Gold Away filly displayed the potential to make a classy older performer in her runs as a three-year-old, winning Listed events at Goodwood and Yarmouth before taking third in an Ascot Group Three.

Bruce Raymond, racing manager to Samira Gold’s owner Jaber Abdullah, reported: “She’s been off with a minor foot problem, which has kept her away from the racecourse for some time. However, Luca Cumani believes he has got her as ready as he can without a run and we hope she goes well.”

The Group Two poses a stern examination. Among the 12 declared are the Juddmonte Oaks fourth Clowance, Geoff Wragg’s Ribblesdale runner-up Arthur’s Girl, last year’s winner Turbo Linn and decent types Ezima and Folk Opera.
(Source: At The Races)

Jim Bolger’s pair of Finsceal Beo and Saoirse Abu head 14 fillies and mares left in an international-looking race for the UAE Hydra Properties Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket on Wednesday.

Finsceal Beo, a dual 1000 Guineas heroine last term, was a highly disappointing last of nine in the Pretty Polly Stakes last weekend.

Saoirse Abu was third to Natagora in the fillies’ Classic at Newmarket and fifth behind Halfway To Heaven in the Irish equivalent.

As well as the two Irish hopefuls, other possibles include the New Zealand mare Seachange, last season’s French 1000 Guineas winner Darjina and the German-trained Briseida.

The Cheveley Park Stud are responsible for four of those standing their ground at the six-day stage - Heaven Sent, Hip, Infallible and Spacious.

Completing the entries are Kasumi, Lady Gloria, Majestic Roi, Love Of Dubai and Nahoodh.
(Source: Sporting Life)

Les Arcs will warm up for a bid to regain the Darley July Cup by running in the bet365.com Conditions Stakes at Haydock on Saturday.

The Stewart Parr-trained eight-year-old has been off the track with a tendon injury since May 2007 but is on course for the six-furlong Group One at Newmarket on Friday week, which he won in 2006.

His owner Willie McKay said: “The Darley July Cup is still the plan for Les Arcs. He did a piece of work on Wednesday and it went well. York racecourse allowed us to give him a piece of work during races a few weeks ago and Doncaster racecourse have allowed us to give him a gallop as well.”

He went on: “We were going to run him at Newcastle in the Chipchase Stakes but we bypassed it because of the ground. We’re running him at Haydock on Saturday and then he’ll run the following Friday in the July Cup.

“Darren Williams will ride the horse on Saturday because John Egan is in America at the moment but he’ll be back to ride him at Newmarket. Les Arcs is actually moving better now than he was after he won the July Cup in 2006.

“A top young Irish vet, Peter Hynes, is employed at our Martin Grange Stables and he’s been looking after things. We also bought a spa which he’s been in twice a day and it has helped him.”

Saturday’s race at Haydock also features other Group One winning sprinters Reverence and Patavellian in a 13-strong field.
(Source: At The Races)

Ascot Gold Cup runner-up Geordieland could be aimed at the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp in October.

The seven year old has come out of his last race in good form and trainer Jamie Osborne is mulling campaigning his stable star back over a shorter distance.

He told attheraces: “We have always thought we would like to drop him back in distance.

“He would be able to travel in behind the the top class mile and half horses on the bridle as he does not lack pace and deserves a shot at a shorter trip.

“He is in the Arc at Longchamp and owner Martin Myers is keen to have a go so the race has not been discounted.”

Osborne plans to run Geordieland once more and seems to have found the ideal prep run for him.

“The plan would be to go first for the Geoffrey Freer Stakes at Newbury (1m5f) and lower the trip gently,” Osborne revealed.

“It would be a nice little trial at the shorter distance and he would be an interesting runner in the race despite having to carry a 4lb penalty.

“He would need to win it well though for us to have a go at the Arc.”
(Source: Sporting Life)

King Of Rome will bid to give Aidan O’Brien his second Derby triumph in the space of a week when he flies the flag for Ballydoyle in the German Derby.

O’Brien won his sixth Irish Derby last weekend when Frozen Fire took the honours at the Curragh and he has now set his sights on winning his first Group One success in Germany.

Johnny Murtagh elected to partner King Of Rome in the Epsom Derby but that decision proved to be the wrong one as the son of Montjeu finished 12th of the 16 runners.

The pair were reunited at Royal Ascot when he finished third to Collection in the Hampton Court Stakes and O’Brien is confident he can improve once more.

Confirming his intention to run his charge in Hamburg, O’Brien said: “He’s quite a classy horse who ran well to finish third at Royal Ascot over a mile and a quarter. We’re hoping the step back up to a mile and a half won’t be a problem.”

O’Brien is unsure what ground conditions awaits his three-year-old at the German venue, but he is happy to let him take his chance regardless.

“Things can change quite quickly over there so we won’t start thinking about the ground until closer to the time,” he told The Irish Times.

The Ballydoyle handler is also chasing Group One glory in Britain on Saturday with Mount Nelson his main hope in the Coral-Eclipse Stakes at Sandown.

A close fifth in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot, Mount Nelson heads the market for the feature and O’Brien is hoping to get the ground to suit the Rock Of Gibraltar colt.

“His last two runs have been on very fast ground and he ran very well at Ascot on it. But he won as a two-year-old on soft ground so we’ll have to see,” he added.
(Source: Setanta Sports)

Aidan O’Brien, who is bidding for his fourth victory in the Coral Eclipse Stakes at Sandown, will send Mount Nelson into action for this year’s renewal on Saturday.

The Ballydoyle maestro withdrew his other two entries King Of Rome and Plan.

In total a field of nine will go to post. Henry Cecil will rely on Phoenix Tower and Multidimensional, who both ran well at Royal Ascot recently. Phoenix Tower was second in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes and Multidimensional runner-up in the Hardwicke Stakes.

Godolphin, with four Eclipses under their banner, are double-handed through Literato and King Edward VII victor Campanologist, the only three-year-old in the line-up. However Literato needs rain to fall to take up his place.

The popular seven-year-old Maraahel and Rob Roy are set to represent Michael Stoute, who has won the race five times.

John Gosden’s Pipedreamer and Stotsfold, trained by Walter Swinburn, successful twice as a jockey, complete the line-up.
(Source: RTÉ Racing)

Finsceal Beo has been given a clean bill of health following her disappointing run in the Audi Pretty Polly Stakes last weekend.

Last year’s dual 1000 Guineas heroine, who was friendless in the market before the race, never produced a run under Kevin Manning and finished a distance last of the nine runners. In accordance with Turf Club rules she was examined on her return to the unsaddling enclosure and was found to be ‘clinically abnormal’.

The exact nature of the problem was not found and she has since returned to full health, however, trainer Jim Bolger will not rush making a decision on her future plans.

“She’s fine and not a semblance of a problem has showed up since,” Bolger is quoted as saying in the Racing Post.

“Regarding where she runs next, no decision has been made.”

The daughter of Mr Greeley holds an entry in next week’s UAE Hydra Properties Falmouth Stakes but she is almost certain to miss the race. Other options open to Bolger and owner Michael Ryan are the Sussex Stakes [July 30], Juddmonte International [August 19] and the Irish Champion Stakes [September 6].
(Source: Setanta Sports)

City Leader will drop back in trip for his next outing, with two potential targets on the agenda.

The Brian Meehan-trained grey proved himself an exceptional juvenile, winning the Royal Lodge Stakes, and although he landed a Goodwood Listed race this season, the colt was disappointing in the King Edward VI Stakes at Royal Ascot on his most recent start.

Joint-owner Ben Sangster said: “There is a dual-edged plan but we are keen to try him at 10 furlongs again. We are looking either at the Prix Eugene Adam at Maisons-Laffitte or the Skybet Stakes at York at about the same time.”
(Source: At The Races)