Some huge upsets and dominating performances this weekend, which kicked off Saturday in the Gr-III West Virginia Derby where Soul Warrior came with a late surge to outkick Kentucky Derby Champ Mine that Bird and Big Drama for the upset win.

It was the first graded win of SW's career and only 3rd in 7 lifetime starts... Odd race, as it first looked as if Big Drama was going to run off with the race, opening up a 10 length after a half mile, only to run out of gas heading home.  Then 'Bird made his move from last and appeared ready to take command as they turned for home, only to also peeter out, letting Soul Warrior find that extra gear and split between them for the big win.  Of not, MTB now heads to Saratoga to train for the Gr-I Travers... and we are getting the feeling he is turning into another Strike the Gold, the late-closing 1991 Derby winner who always seem to come with a huge rush late, but most of the times a bit too late.

Order was restored though in the Gr-I Diana, even if just barely, when F&M Turf Champ Forever Together (the gray) once more came from way off the pace to corral Irish import Carribean Sunset near the wire to win by a head. 

Steady-as-she-goes Rutherienne continues to be one of the best bets in racing, finishing third, making it 18 top 3 finishes in 20 career starts... It was closer than her connections would have liked, but a win is a win, and FT continues on track for another run at the F&M Turf champion honors.

Moving to Sunday and the most expected race of the weekend, which did not dissapoint as super filly Rachel Alexandra toyed with an accomplished group of colts on her way to a 6+ length romp in the Gr-I Haskell and her 8th straight win.

Her time of 1:47:21 was approx one fifth of the stakes record.  Belmont winner Summer Bird rallied for second... The performance of the weekend, again, as Rachel' swept past front-running Munnings and Summer Bird... what was he doing up so early?... with barely an effort, then drew away with ease.  With this performance, it is difficult to see a scenario in which she does not win Horse of the Year.  Her connections did not hint what her next race would be, but did not rule out the Travers at month's end.

It would take first a loss, as there is no way she goes undefeated in '09 and not get the award, then for perhaps Gio Ponti or Einstein winning the Arlington Million and BC Turf or Classic, or perhaps Quality Road beating her in the Travers and also winning the BC Classic.  We'd say Zenyatta, but without going one on one, and running perhaps half the number of races as Rachel, it will be difficult.  Unless all the above suffer a number of losses and she finishes out her career undefeated.

Also on Sunday, Seventh Street didn't make it easy, running wide on both turns and giving up the lead in the early stretch, but still rallied to take home the Gr-I Go For Wand...

The win was her second Gr-I in '09 and keeps her in the running for Older Female Horse Champion honors. Would still need to beat Zenyatta first, but is being directed to a stretch of Gr-Is throughout the summer. 

Sunday concluded with the Gr-II San Diego Handicap, where Informed (left) punched a ticket to the BC Mile when he closed with a huge rush to just nip Mast Track at the wire.

Heavy favorite and Dubai World Cup winner Well Armed had nothing, as he did not show his customary speed, running back early then fading to last... Big surprise, as Informed only had a Gr-II win as his only graded triumph in 19 races, and even more so seeing Well Armed do nothing.  Now back in March, we pointed out that, so far, Curlin seems to be avoiding the 'Dubai World Cup Curse' but is Well Armed now showing signs of it?

Also of note, dual Gr-I winner Colonel John showed no rust from his long layoff, easily dispatching an overmatched field Friday in the ungraded Wickerr Stakes. No decision has been made for his next race.

Finally, over in Europe, BC Mile winner Goldikova (green) made it two Gr-I's in a row and 5th overall, taking over with two furlongs to go and easily disposing of the field of F&M over the mile course. 

French 1,000 Guineas winner Elusive Wave finished second... Although restricted to miles, continues to make a case as the top Older Female Horse in Europe.  Look for a return to the Breeders Cup as well.

And tune in later for a recap of the Gr-II Amsterdam and Quality Road's return later today.

(updated 8/4)

Quality Road served notice yesterday that he is back and ready to return to the top of the 3yo colts division with a convincing win in yesterday's Gr-II Amsterdam Stakes, breaking a bit slowly then settling in a close fourth before making a power move around the final turn, then drawing away with relative ease, setting a track and stakes record for the 6-1/2f in the process.

 Next up is most likely the Gr-I Travers at month end and a potential showdown with Rachel Alexandra.  If any 3yo can take her on, its him as in his last three races he has just smoked the field.  Hopefully everyone will show up.

But there is also relevant mid-week action coming up, as the ungraded Cougar II Handicap will be run tomorrow as part of the Breeders Cup Challenge, with the winner earning a slot in the BC Marathon.  Last year's winner Zappa returns to defend his crown, but he will have to improve drastically for the 1-1/2m test, as he has gone 1-11 since, including a 7th in the Marathon, and that was in an optional allowance claiming race.  Yet, the rest of the field is not awe inspiring either, but favoritism might come down to Church Service, although he has lost 7 in a row has been in the top 5 in all, or Big Booster, who has lost six in a row but has been in the top 5 against tougher company in five of those... weak race, but someone has to win it.