A pair of upsets highlighted the major racing action in the US this weekend, starting with the Gr-IT Eddie Read Handicap, which was highlighted by a pair of weid occurences.  First, Thorn Song took the early lead and was coasting along the first quarter mile.  Then, for whatever reason, he saw something and ducked out, almost throwing his rider and having to be pulled up.  This in turned spooked favorite Monterrey Jazz, who was stalking a couple of lengths back.  Monterrery' then took off like a shot and sprinted to a 6-7 length lead along the back stretch against the urging of his jockey.  By the time he hit the home stretch, he was zapped... allowing the late running Global Hunter to come storming from the back of the pack to overtake the leaders and pull away for a comfortable win.

 The win was the first in the US for the Argentine-bred after four straight losses... Too bad the race evolved as it did, as both Thorn Song and Monterrey Jazz had been apparently hitting their peak and it would have been a great race under normal conditions...

A milder upset came then in the Gr-I Coaching Club American Oaks, as Funny Moon also closed strong from way back, taking the outside route around the final turn, then picking off one horse at a time, taking the lead as they neared the wire then holding off charging Don't Forget Gil...

 The win was her first career stakes win... A nice win for a good looking filly, but being in the same division as Rachel Alexandra, they all are running for second place...

Finally in England, the favorite, multiple Gr-I winner Conduit broke a mini two-race '09 losing streak, taking command of the Gr-I King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes with furlong to go, then outfighting stablemates Tartan Bearer and Ask down the stretch before pulling away for an easy win.

 The win was his 6th in 12 career starts, and third Gr-I, for the Irish-bred and raises his career earnings past $3.4M.

Finally, in a battle of Puerto Rico's last two Horses of the Year, the mare Batalladora, the '06 HOY, went gate to wire, besting heavy favorite and '07 and '08 HOY Defensora with ease in the Gr-I Clasico Constitucion...

Batalladora had been struggling this year, winning only 2 of 5, but was allowed to bound to front and set an easy pace and when Defensora tried to make a move, her rival was just let loose and she won by 3+

Tune in later for previews of the upcoming weekend's action, which will feature major races from Saturday through Monday, and will feature Preakness winner Rachel Alexandra vs Belmont winner Summer Bird in the Gr-I Haskell, Kentucky Derby winner Mine that Bird in the Gr-III West Virginia Derby, and the return of Florida Derby winner Quality Road... who we had rated as the top 3yo before his injury... in the Gr-II Amsterdam Stakes.