Things got off to a rousing start yesterday in England in the July Cup, as the filly Fleeting Spirit (orange), Englands 2yo Filly Champ in 2007 and racing in only her third race in over a year, took over with 2F to go, passing front runners Main Aim and Takeover Target, then holding off late rallies by JJ The Jet Plane and Paco Boy for her first Gr-I win. 

Heavy favorite Scenic Blast never was in contention and finished seventh...  A surprise only because she has raced so little, but had always been talented, finishing second in the last two King's Stand Stakes in her last two races.  Big dissapointment of Scenic Blast, who never fired.

After the race, Takeover Target was found to have fractured a cannon bone in his leg and was retired after successful completion of surgery... The 10yo Aussie gelding goes out with 21 wins, 8 of them Gr-I, $4.8M USD in earnings and 2006 Australia Champion Sprinter honors. Even more, he was purchased for a whopping $1000 back in 2003.  Quite a return on investment.

In other news as we prep for the day's races, favorite Indian Blessing has been scratched from the Princess Rooney due to a recurring foot problem, while stallion Lawyer Ron, the 2007 Older Horse Champion, was euthanized yesterday following complications from colic surgery...

(updated 7:02pm)

Just realized my update from 2 hours ago didn't take, so let's try again... First, Gio Ponti made it three Gr-I in '09 when taking the Man O' War Stakes, coming as usual from the back of the pack to take over down the stretch and win in convincing fashion, putting down 5 other Gr-I winners in the process...

Not only at the top of the Turf division, but we're moving him to the top of the Horse of the Year standings as well...

Meanwhile in Calder's Summit of Speed, Game Face took advantage of Indian Blessing's withdrawal to go and romp in the Gr-I Princess Rooney by almost 7...

...punching a ticket to the BC F&M Sprint....

While Eaton's Gift upset champion Benny the Bull, winning his first graded win since last year's Swale Stakes in February in the Gr-II Smile Sprint, taking over at the top of the stretch then holding off Benny's late rush, and getting a slot in the BC Sprint...

Also going to the Breeder's Cup will be Yankee Injunuity, who earned his first win of the year when he edged Chamberlain Bridge to win the Arlington Sprint for a slot in the BC Turf Sprint.

(updated 7/13. 8:10 am)

In the highlight of the US's Sunday races, Rail Trip overtook pacesetter Tres Borrachos at the top of the stretch, then drew off convincingly to win the Gr-I Hollywood Gold Cup.  The win was his first graded on after back to back Gr-II seconds and in track record time... Looked like a miler but was extremely impressive at a 1-1/4M.  There is no dominant older horse out west, so he could make noise.

Staying in North America, long shot Gallant, the only horse in the Prince of Wales Stakes that did not run in the Queen's Plate, took over front running filly Milwakee Appeal in midstretch, then held off her final charge as well as late closing Eye of the Leopard, the winner of the Queen's Plate, to win by a nose in a photo finish...

And not Triple Crown up north this year either....

Moving to Europe, English filly Sariska became the 12th runner to pull the Epsom-Irish Oaks double, when she blasted by pacesetter Roses for the Lady with a furlong to go to win going away...

A showdown with undefeated French filly Stacelita, the French Oaks and dual Gr-I winner, remains for dominance of the division, but that may not happen until the fall if ever.

Stay tuned for results of the Gr-I Grand Prix de Paris tomorrow, and later previews of the Gr-II Delaware Handicap and Greenwood Cup, which are part of the BC Challenge Series, and where the winners will grab berths in the Ladies Classic and Marathon respectedly.

 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

The July Racing Festival at England’s Newmarket course kicks of tomorrow, and so does our early preview of the major races across the world this week.

 The Gr-I Falmouth Stakes, for 3yo+ F&M over a mile course, leads things off tomorrow with French-based filly Goldikova, the ’08 Breeders Cup Mile winner among her three Gr-I wins, looking to rebound from her dismal seventh in the Gr-I Prix d'Ispahan in her seasonal debut. But she will face a tough task against Spacious (above) who won the Gr-II Windsor Forest Stakes during the Royal Ascot meet. Also in the race will be 2yo Filly Champ Rainbow View, still looking to return to last year’s form and score her first win of the year… The Older F&M division in Europe is pretty wide open, and the winner of this race will have a chance to establish an early claim to the top spots.

The French filly Nahoodh won this race in 2008, her only win that year.  She has since been retired.

The meet comes to an end with the Gr-I July Cup, for 3yo+ over 6f, featuring a world class group of sprinters. The pre-race favorite is Australia’s Scenic Blast, the impressive winner of the Gr-I Kings Stand at Ascot, looking for his fourth Gr-I of the year and solidifying his claim as Australia’s Horse of the Year… their 08-09 is finished and the awards will be handed out soon… But this by no means will be the cakewalk some are expecting, as he will have to contend with another pair of Ascot Gr-I winners, Art Connoisseur, the winner of the Golden Jubilee, and Paco Boy, the winner of the Queen Anne. Also in the mix will be Australia’s 10yo veteran Takeover Target, nearing the end of a great career but still running strong, and South African champion JJ The Jet Plane, the Golden Jubilee favorite, who faded to fourth after setting the early pace… Should be an outstanding race with plenty of ramifications. Should ‘Blast win, he’ll have four Gr-I’s in two continents. He’s likely wrapped up the Aussie Sprint title, and will have an edge over fellow Gr-I Niconero for HOY. Theseo has also won three Gr-I’s, but having lost to Niconero in the Australian Cup, we’ll give the former the edge. As for European Sprint honors, should either Art’ or Paco’ win, they would take the lead in that division as well.

French sprinter Marchand D'or won this race last year, one of his three Gr-I's, on his way to European Champion Sprinter honors.  He is currently on a prolonged break, following international flops at Hong Kong and Dubai, plus losing all three starts this season.

Tune in later for previous of this weekend’s major races in the US, featuring the Gr-I’s Hollywood Gold Cup and Man o’ War Stakes, along with Calder racecourse’s Summit of Speed, which will feature US Sprint Champions Indian Blessing and Benny the Bull, plus the Gr-I Irish Oaks and Grand Prix de Paris.

A packed weekend of horse racing at home and abroad conclude late yesterday and saw several dominating performances and accompanying surprises.

Starting off we had the Gr-IT United Nations Stakes, where defending champion Presious Passion made it two in a row, sprinting out to a 20+ length lead through the first half mile or so, then holding on for 2+ length win and a course-record setting win over the hard charging Lauro...

Very impressive as he just flew early and through that first mile and was laboring down the stretch.  His three firsts and two seconds in '09 puts him in the right mix for Turf Champion honors. The win secures him a spot in the BC Turf.

Coal Play also secured a spot in the Breeders Cup, in the Dirt Mile in his case, going gate to wire in the Gr-III Salvatore Mile. 

Favorite Smooth Air tracked him early and was in position to make a move in the stretch, but drifted out and could not reel him in, finishing second for the third time this year.  The surprise win was the first graded win for CP... Big surprise as he only had a pair of allowance wins couple with an ungraded stakes prior to yesterday...

The Gr-II (formerly Gr-I) Suburban featured another surprise as unheralded Dry Martini came with a huge rush down the stretch, going from last to first to sprint past favorite Asiatic Boy and win going away. 

This was his biggest win since the Gr-II Cornhusker Handicap over 2 years ago.   The biggest dissapointment was It's A Bird, who raced second into the final stretch but had nothing for the final drive and faded to seventh... The win was just his third in last 11 starts since the start of 2008, yet the $400K payoff just abut doubled his career earnings took him over the $1M mark.

In the Gr-I Prioress, lightly raced Cat Moves, making only her third start and first in stakes competition, remained perfect with a late move to corral entrymate light green deep in the stretch for the win.  Acorn winner Gabby's Golden Gal stumbled at the break, never recovered and finished last... So far she has dominated in her three starts and bears close watching in the F&M sprint division.

Come Sunday, Gozzip Girl was the star of the Gr-IT American Oaks, as she exploded after turning for home, running away from the field to a convincing 3+ length win...

Another defyning race, as she throws her hat into the ring into the wide open F&M Turf Division.

Next up, Zensational was just that in the Gr-I Triple Bend, blasting out of the gate to set a fast early pace then holding on strong for his first stakes win...

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Bafferet refers to him as a 'beast', and he seems to be getting better with each race.  Definetely a sprinter to watch.

In other races of note, top rated sprinter Informed Decision easily dominated her overmatched foes in the Gr-III Chicago Handicap, going gate to wire...

Still tops in the division.

While the speedy Monterey Jazz, twice out in the last two years with leg injuries, appears to be back in the form that in late '07 / early '08 had him as one of the top older horses in the country with a dominating, front running win in the Gr-IIT American Handicap...

A very, very fast horse who seems to have found a new niche in turf racing, he could be a player for either Dirt or Turf Mile come BC day.

Going abroad, a European weekend that featured 3 Gr-I's belonged to Sea the Stars (yellow) as the top 3yo defeated a top notch group of older horses in the Coral Eclipse Stakes, running midpack early then making a bold move to take over with 2f to go and taking the win by 1+ length...

Undoubtedly the leader in both the 3yo and Horse of the Year races.  His plans are still being determined, but it still appears that a run in the 1-1/2m English St. Legers, and a shot at the Triple Crown, is not in the cards... still can't believe that... If he skips the St. Leger, do not expect him to run in the Arc come October either. Now the winner of the Arc has been named Horse of the Year 3 of the last 4, and 4 of 6 years, so we'll see if that is influence enough.

In the other Gr-I races, which we did not feature as the fields were, in relative turns, a bit below average for top level competition across the continent, a couple of horses earned their first Gr-I's.  First, Wiener Walzer easily won the Gr-I Deutsches Derby (German Derby).  He is 3-3 in 2009, and may be ready to try going up against tougher competition outside of Germany. 

Then in France, Lord Shanakill, who opened up the year with a 12th in the English 2000 Guineas followed by a third in the St James's Place, took it to a new level when outfighting local horse Oiseau de Feu to win the Gr-I Prix Jean Prat by a head.

Finally arriving in Asia, it was time in Hong Kong to award the racing honors for the completed 2008 - 2009 racing season.  And to no one's surprise, Viva Pataca (below, black blinkers) completed his comeback season by taking home Horse of the Year and Champion Middle Distance and Stayer (third times in a row) on the strenght of his four wins / two Gr-I's during the year...

Odd to call a repeat champion a comeback, but his stock was definetely down near the end of last season and beggining of this one.  But he rebounded in a huge manner. .. Other notable winners included  Good Ba Ba and Sacred Kingdom, both of which repeated as Champion Miler and Sprinter... The latter is definetely a  surprise and is no doubt due to his popularity (he won Most Popular Horse as well... yes, that's an actual award)... as he only one 1 race during the season. The award should have to Inspiration, who won the Gr-I's  Cathay Pacific HK International Sprint and Gr-I Centenary Cup.

A great series of races at home and abroad are on tap for this Independence Day weekend.

Things start Saturday with the 1-3/8M Gr-IT United Nations Stakes at Monmouth Park in New Jersey.  Leading the charge is defending race winner Presious Passion who last year scored a 15-1 upset win while going gate to wire.  He went 1 for 5 in the rest of '08, but has been either first or second in his last 5, and is coming of a win in the Monmouth Stakes (white blinkers, above), , and appears the one to beat.  His main opposition appears to be former Gr-I winner Court Vision, who has yet to score in '09 in 4 tries, but is always game.  But don't discount 8yo veteran and Gr-I winner Brass Hat, after going winless for almost 2 years, returned to the winner's circle last month in the Gr-III Louisville.  If there is a fast pace, he might just spring another upset.

This race is a Breeders Cup Challenge race, and the winner will secure a spot in the BC Turf.  The second Challenge race of the weekend is the Gr-III Salvatore Mile, the winner gaining entry into the BC Dirt Mile.  The race favorite is multiple Gr-II winner Smooth Air, who has a first and two seconds so far this season.

Next up is the 1-1/4m Gr-I Suburban Handicap at Belmont Park.  Our favorite here is the ever improving It's a Bird, a winner of 3 of 4 in '09, including the Sunshine Millions Classic and coming off a hard fought win in the Gr-III Lone Star Park Handicap.  He's blossoming into one of the top older horses in the country and will be tough to beat as he seeks his first career Gr-I.  But he will have to get through UAE import Asiatic Boy, who finished a game second in the Gr-I Foster Handicap last month in his US debut, losing to Macho Again, who in turn beat 'Bird in the NO Handicap earlier this year.  Another familiar name in the picture is consistent yet unlucky Cool Coal Man who, since scoring in the Gr-II Fountain of Youth last year, has only two ungraded wins in 10 follow on starts.  But his always in the mix and should be watched.

Last year's 40-1 upset winner Frost Giant raced only twice more, unplaced efforts in the Northern Dancer Turf Stakes and Japan Cup, and has since been retired.

Saturday action ends with the Gr-I Prioress Stakes, for 3yo fillies over 6f, and headlined by Gr-I Acorn winner Gabby's Golden Gal, who with 3 first, a second and third in six career starts, is a good bet to be in the mix again.  Gr-II Comely Stakes winner Dream Play, who needs to improve off her dismal performance in the Acorn, where she finished last, will again oppose her.  But the upset may be lying with dual Gr-III winner Heart Ashley, who's finished first or second in all 6 starts.

Indian Blessing won this race last year, one of 6 wins in 9 starts on her way to being named '08 F&M Sprint Champion, which followed her '07 2yo Filly Championship

Moving to Sunday, we kick things off with the Gr-IT American Oaks, for F&M at a 1-1/4m.  The race features a deep group of stakes winners, all looking for the biggest score of their careers.  Leading the charge are Gr-II Sands Point winner Gozzip Girl and Gr-III Appalachian Stakes winner Afternoon Stroll.

2008 winner Pure Clan has yet to win again though, although remains remarkably consistent.  She was last seen finishing second in the Gr-II Mint Julep, in her '09 debut after a 7+ layoff.

The Gr-I's wrap up with the Triple Bend Handicap, at 7f for older horses, and like the Prioress, features a group of mostly 'unknown' horses going for their big splash.  Here lightly raced Zensational, winner of 2 of 4, looks ready to take the next step, but with a tough challenge from Gr-II Ack Ack winner Noble Court.

This race was last won by Street Boss as part of an outstanding campaign in which he won 6 of 9.  He was retired after finishing third in the BC Sprint.

Finally a couple of races of note.  First, the second of the veterans of the Triple Crown trail returns to the track in the  Gr-II Dwyer, as Charitable Man, who finished a troubled fourth in the Belmont, looks to get back to the winner's circle.

Then our top rated F&M sprinter, Informed Decision, will line up Saturday as the odds-on favorite in the Gr-III Chicago Handicap as she preps for the Gr-I Ballerina in August.

But the best race of the weekend might be Saturday in England with the Gr-I Coral Eclipse Stakes.  Leading the charge is Epsom Derby winner Sea The Stars, who was a late scratch from last Saturday's Irish Derby, taking on Breeders Cup Turf winner Conduit.  But they need to watch out for South African trained Archipenko, a Gr-I winner in Hong Kong and Singapore, and last year's Italian Derby winner Cima De Triomphe.

Also, check back later for some reposts of articles lost during the transition to the new format...