Kicking things off first in England, where BC Mile winner Goldikova showed her old form by winning the Gr-I Falmouth Stakes, traveling close to the pace early then holding off a late challenge Heaven Sent and Spacious down the stretch.

Yes, only one race but against tough competition.  We'll give her the edge at the top of the older mare crop for now.

Also yesterday, two-time Puerto Rico Horse of the Year Defensora won her sixth race in as many starts this year, as she cruised against only two overmatched opponets in the local equivalent of an allowance race. 

The race was a prep for her start in the Gr-I Clasico Constitucion at month's end, where she will face her toughest race to date against '08 2yo Filly Champ Seattle Win, who this year won the Gr-I Copa Gobernador against the boys, something Defensora failed to do last year... For certain beating Seattle Win will not be a given, as the 3yo filly has won 8 of 10 in dominant fashion.

Defensora is the most dominant horse PR has seen since Vuelve Candy B ruled the track in the early 90's, when he won 64 of 86 starts (74%), finishing in the top 3 in 83 starts, becoming the first horse to win more than $1M and becoming the all time money winner in local racing, while setting their all time record for stakes win at 17.  It is very unlikely Defensora will approach 'Candy B's number of wins, let alone starts, but her 84% winning percentage is higher and at $700K, has a very good chance of surparssing his earnings mark.  Will likely have to run next year to catch the stakes record though.  The highest winning percentage though is even more unlikely, as the great Camarero set it back in the 50's when he won 73 of 77 starts (94%) while setting a world record 56 race winning streak in the process.

 Quite a few major races this wee kend in the US, starting Saturday with the Gr-I Hollywood Gold Cup.  With the Older division devoid of many dominant horses, and none racing in this Gold Cup, a full, wide-open field, composed of some looking for their biggest score and others that can be qualified as one-hit wonders, will contest the race.  The hottest one coming in is Parading, off wins in the Gr-II Dixie and Gr-III Ben Ali Stakes.  He seems in good form after a long injury layoff and may be the one to beat.  The filly Life is Sweet might be his toughest opponent, winner of 3 of 4 in '09 including the Gr-I Santa Margarita and coming in off a second place to champion Zenyatta, perhaps the best horse in the country.  In the race is also defending champ Mast Track, but who has not won since that day, placing only once in five subsequent races, so don't expect a repeat.  But a upset might come though from Bullsbay, recent winner of the Gr-III Alysheba and coming off a close fourth against tougher competition in the Gr-I Foster.  He's one to watch here.

But the race of the weekend might be in NY with the Gr-IT Man o' War Stakes.  Here, turf division leader Gio Ponti (above, winning the Gr-I Manhattan) will look to score his third Gr-I of the year and solidify his hold not only on the Turf division lead but as a leading Horse of the Year candidate as well.  But he will need to be at his best to defeat Midships (#3 in our turf standings), winner of 3 of 4 in '09 and coming off a dominating win in the Gr-I Whittingham.  A win by him, and he may take over the top spot.  But this is by no means a two horse race, as also in the field are Gr-I winners Dancing Forever... granted on a four race losing streak... and Grand Courtier.... fifth in his '09 debut after an 8 month layoff.  Although both will have to be at their best '08 form to pull the upset. The one to look out for, aside from the top two though, might be Germany's Quijano, a Gr-I winner in Italy and Germany, and who is coming off an impressive win in the Gr-I Grand Premio di Milano.  He is the German 2006 Older Horse Champion and seems to be back in top form.  Key race that will great Eclipse Award impact.

 The winner last year was England's Red Rocks, who has failed to win since and not hit the board in his two other US starts afterwards.

 Meanwhile, Calder racecourse's Summi