An outstanding set of races is set for this weekend, including 6 Gr-I's and four tickets to the Breeders Cup from to 'Challenge races.

Kicking things off Saturday with what might be the race of the year, as the top three turf runners in the US, Gio Ponti (above), Einstein and Presious Passion will square off against stiff international competition in the Gr-IT Arlington Million (3yo+, 10f) with a slot in the BC Turf on the line.  Gio Ponti is coming on the heels of three straight Gr-IT wins, Presious Passion has won two in a row, including a record setting performance in the Gr-IT UN last out and Einstein is coming off a very troubled third in the dirt in the Gr-I Stephen Foster following a pair of Gr-I wins, one on the turf, the other synthetics.  If any of them win,

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

A pair of horses punched their ticket to the Breeders Cup this weekend, starting with Swift Temper, who took the early lead and never gave it back in the Gr-II Delaware Handicap, first withstanding early pressure from Acoma, then leaving behind a stretch challenge from Unbridled Belle for the surprisingly easy win.

The win was just her fifth in 27 career starts, of which only one had been graded.  But the big purse took her earnings over the $1M mark. The win secures a spot for her in the BC Ladies Classic.

Next up was the ungraded Greenwood Cup, where Brazilian import Alcomo came from off the pace to overtake odds-on favorite Nite Light at the quarter pole then win under an easy hand ride by almost 2+. 

The win was his first in 4 US starts this year after a multiple graded

 No major stakes this weekend at home, but a pair of Breeders Cup spots are up for grabs this Saturday. 

We start things off with the Gr-II Delaware Handicap, where the winner will ear a place in the BC Ladies Classic.  Leading the field are multiple stakes winner Acoma the recent winner of the Gr-III Mint Julep Stakes (above),  and of 2 of 3 in '09, and Unbridled Belle, the winner of the 2007 Delaware Handicap in and the Gr-III Obeah Stakes last out in her second start in '09 following a 7 month layoff... Super filly Rachel Alexandra was entered in the race, but was pulled prior to final declarations, and will instead take another shot at the colts in the Gr-I Haskell in just over two weeks.  That race will also feature Gr-I Belmont winner Summer Bird and Gr-II

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