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

Some of racing's biggest names will take to the track this weekend, starting off Saturday in the Gr-III West Virginia Derby, where Kentucky Derby winner Mine that Bird (below) returns to the track after his third place finish in the Belmont Stakes last month.

MTB will be the first Triple Crown race winner to ever race in West Virginia's Mountaineer Racetrack.  But this will be no means be a cake walk, as he will face off against (disqualified) Gr-II Swale Stakes winner Big Drama, in his first race since finishing 5^th in the Preakness... MTB has been installed as the odds-on favorite, but if Big Drama gets off to an easy early lead, he will be very hard to catch. Granted, he's not yet won over two turns, but he has shown the talent to go all the way. Reminds me of the 2007 Kentucky

Major racing action kicks off early this week over in England with the running of the Gr-I Sussex Stakes, for horses 3yo+ over one mile, and featuring three Gr-I winners in '09. 

The most interesting entry is the filly Ghanaati, coming of wins in the Gr-I's English 1000 Guineas and Coronation Stakes (above), but who will be facing colts and older horses for the first time.  Her main rivals will be Lord Shanakill, coming off a win in the Gr-I Prix Jean Prat, and Paco Boy, the Gr-I Queen Anne Stakes winner and recent late running third in the Golden Jubilee... It will be a very tall task, but if the filly can win, she will establish herself as the favorite in the Euro 3yo Division plus put herself into Horse of the Year discussions...

Last year, this race was won by

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

A pair of Gr-I's highlight the racing weekend in the US this week, starting with the Eddie Read Handicap, for 4yo+ at 1-1/8m over the turf at Del Mar park in California. Looking to take them from gate to wire will be the speedy Monterrey Jazz, just three weeks after smoking the field in the Gr-II American (below). 

But pressing him early should be multiple Gr-I winner Thorn Song, who will need to be at his best as he has only won 1 of his last 5, although that was the Gr-I Shoemaker Mile, and has not won at over a mile since Nov '07.  But should those two burn themselves out in front, Artiste Royale will be closing strong and looking to break a 4-race losing streak after his win in the Gr-II San Marcos back in January, although he's been second or third in his last three...

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

With a new month underway, below are the latest ToTT US Racing Standings.  Comments only on changes from last month.

Horse of the Year

1. Rachel Alexandra (above)
2. Gio Ponti - Along with Rachel, only triple Gr-I winners in '09.  More of a #1A than #2.
3. Einstein

Three-Year-Old Male Horse

1. Mine that Bird
2. I Want Revenge / Quality Road - Pioneerof the Nile has been removed from the list, as he has been retired following an injury in training.

Three-Year-Old Filly

1. Rachel Alexandra
2. Stardom Bound
3. Justwhistledixie

Older Male Horse

1. Einstein
2. Macho Again
3. Rail Trip - Dominating win + pair of seconds has his third in shallow division.

Older Female Horse

1. Zenyatta
2. Seattle Smooth
3. Life is Sweet

Sprint Horse

1. Bribon
2. Fabulous Strike