Saturday Preview

Sadly I don't have time to do a preview for all the races on Saturday. Terrible, I know. However, here are my picks for tomorrow's races.

Juvenile Fillies- Rachel's Valentina, Songbird, Tap To It
Turf Sprint- Bobby's Kitten, Marchman
Filly and Mare Sprint- Taris, Judy the Beauty, Floretti
Filly and Mare Turf- Photo Call, Legatissimo, Hard Not to Like
Sprint- Runhappy, Barbados, Limousine Liberal
Mile- Tepin, Mshawish, Karakontie
Juvenile- Riker, Brody's Cause, Swipe
Turf- Big John B, Golden Horn, The Pizza Man
Classic- American Pharoah, Smooth Roller, Honor Code

Arlington Million Picks

I apologize for not having an Arlington Million preview tomorrow, however I'm currently out of state. That being said, I thought a pick post wouldn't out of the question.

10th Race - Arlington Park - Saturday, August 15th, 2015
STAKES. 1 1/4 Mile Turf. Purse $1,000,000. Arlington Million XXXIII S (Grade 1). FOR THREE-YEAR-OLDS AND UPWARD. (05:48 PM)
PP Horse A/S M/E Wgt Jockey Trainer
1 Up With The Birds 5 H L 126 Van Dyke Drayden Motion H. Graham
2 Slumber (GB) 7 H L 126 Ortiz, Jr. Irad Brown Chad C.
3 Bookrunner 4 C L 126 Mosse Gerald Delzangles Mikel
4 Big Blue Kitten 7 R L 126 Bravo Joe Brown Chad C.
5 Wake Forest (GER) 5 H L 126 Pedroza Eduardo Wohler Andreas
6 Legendary (GB) 6 G L 126 Russell Sheldon Saville Niall
7 The Pizza Man 6 G L 126 Geroux Florent Brueggemann Roger A.
8 Quiet Force 5 H L 126 Albarado Robby Maker Michael J.
9 Shining Copper 5 G L 126 Emigh Christopher A. Brown Chad C.
10 Triple Threat (FR) 5 H L 126 Lezcano Jose Mott William I.
11 Maverick Wave 4 C L 126 Buick William T. Gosden John H. M.
12 Elleval (IRE) 5 G L 126 Smullen Patrick J. Marnane David
13 Belgian Bill (GB) 7 H L 126 Spencer Jamie P. Baker George

The Euro's aren't the toughest that the race has seen, the best of the bunch is very likely Maverick Wave. Up with the Birds comes with the best international background out of the North Americans (after all he did start his career in Canada), and was 4th in this race last year. Slumber and Big Blue Kitten like UB are G1 winners, the latter defeating last year's champ Main Sequence in what would turn out to be his career finale.

With that being said, I love The Pizza Man. He won the American St. Ledger last year, and won the St. Ledger prep this year. Last year's winner Hardest Core also won his prep going a mile and a half. Up with the Birds for second and Bookrunner for third.

United Nations Preview

Note: Due to the holiday and family commitments, I was unable to do my usual preview. Many apologies.

A year ago, Main Sequence burst onto the US scene to take the United Nations on his way to BC Turf glory. Today he tries to defend his UN title. Lets take a look at the field.

 11th Race - Monmouth Park - Sunday, July 5th, 2015 STAKES. 1 3/8 Mile Turf. Purse $500,000. United Nations S. (Grade 1). FOR THREE-YEAR-OLDS AND UPWARD. By subscription of $500 each, which should accompany the nomination and $5,000 to pass the entry box. The owner of the winner to receive $300,000, $100,000 to second, $50,000 to third, $30,000 to fourth, $15,000 to fifth and $10,000 to sixth through last. Three-Year-Olds: 117 lbs.; Older: 123 lbs. Non-winners of a Grade I Stake since October 31, 2014 allowed 3 lbs.; Non-winners of a Grade II Stake in 2015, 5 lbs. The United Nations has been selected as one of the Breeders'Cup Win and You're In Challenge Races. The nominated winner of the United Nations will be entitled to receive automatic entry into the 2015 running of the Breeders' Cup Turf Division, have pre-entry and entry fees waived for the Championship race and reeceive a travel award if stabled outside of Kentucky. The winning owner to receive a trophy. Closed Saturday, June 20, 2015 with 22 nominations. (If considered inadvisable to run this race on the turf course, this race will be run at One Mile and One Quarter on the main track.) . (05:46 PM)
PP Horse A/S M/E Wgt Jockey Trainer
1 Twilight Eclipse 6 G L 123 Lopez Paco Albertrani Thomas
2 Sycamore Lane 4 C L 118 Lezcano Jose Mott William I.
3 Big Blue Kitten 7 R L 118 Bravo Joe Brown Chad C.
4 Shining Copper 5 G L 118 Castellano, Jr. Abel Maker Michael J.
5 Slumber (GB) 7 H L 123 Ortiz, Jr. Irad Brown Chad C.
6 Main Sequence 6 G L 123 Maragh Rajiv Motion H. Graham
7 Imagining 7 H L 120 Velazquez John R. McGaughey III Claude R.
8 Ashleyluvssugar 4 G L 120 Stevens Gary L. Eurton Peter
9 Divine Oath 4 C L 118 Trujillo Elvis Pletcher Todd A.

Twlight Eclipse who has played second fiddle to Main Sequence finally broke through two back in G1 company. Ashleyluvssugar has won his last three with two of them graded stakes. Slumber won the Manhattan, and the Kittens are always tough so Big Blue Kitten shouldn't be overlooked. The same can be said about Imagining. I think Main Sequence may need a race after a poor Dubai effort, but with his closing kick it shouldn't be a problem.

Picks

Win- Slumber
Place- Main Sequence
Show- Twilight Eclipse

Turf Recap

He had won 2 WAYI races this year, and was undefeated in the US. Flaxman Holding's homebred Main Sequence (Aldebaran) earned a HOY consideration with a win in the Turf. Flintshire (GB) (Dansili (GB)) was second and Twilight Eclipse was third. John Velezquez rode the winner and Graham Motion is the winning trainer.

Race Replay



Out of the mare Ikat (GB) (Pivotal (GB)), Main Sequence's record is 18 starts with 8 wins, 3 seconds and 3 thirds with earnings of $3,298,386.

Turf Preview

The longest race on the weekend is on the turf. Here is the field for this year's Turf:

2014 Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. IT) Nov. 1 3:23 PM PDT

Post	Horse	Jockey	Trainer
1	Telescope	Ryan Moore	Sir Michael R. Stoute
2	Twilight Eclipse	Javier Castellano	Thomas Albertrani
3	Imagining	Joel Rosario	Claude R. McGaughey III
4	Brown Panther	Richard Kingscote	Tom Dascombe
5	Hangover Kid	Jose Lezcano	Jason Servis
6	Finnegans Wake	Joseph Talamo	Peter Miller
7	Flintshire	Maxime Guyon	Andre Fabre
8	Magician	Joseph O'Brien	Aidan P. O'Brien
9	Hardest Core	Eriluis Vaz	Eddie Graham
10	Starspangled Heat	Corey Nakatani	Barry Abrams
11	Chicquita	Lanfranco Dettori	Aidan P. O'Brien
12	Main Sequence	John Velazquez	H. Graham Motion
13	Big John B	Mike Smith	Philip D'Amato

Telescope (Galileo (IRE)): 3^rd in the International and 2^nd in the King George IV & Queen Elizabeth.Was second to Noble Mission (Frankel's younger brother) twice earlier this season.

Twilight Eclipse (Purim): Second in the Turf Classic and third in the Sword Dancer. Picked up 2 stakes wins in Florida in his final start of 2013 and his first start this year before heading to Dubai.

Imagining (Giant's Causeway): 3^rd in the Turf Classic and 2^nd in the Sword Dancer. Only worse then 3^rd once this year.

Brown Panther (Shirocco (GER)): Won the Irish St. Ledger and 3^rd in the Goodwood Cup. Re-routed here after being scratched in the Canadian International where he got loose.

Hangover Kid (Lemon Drop Kid): 5^th in the Turf Classic and won the Bowling Green. Going between stakes company and allowance company.

Finnegans Wake (Powerscourt (GB)): 2^nd in the John Henry and 5^th in the Arlington Million. Has faced both Wise Dan and Will Take Charge in his career, and lost to both.

Flintshire (Dansili (GB)): 2^nd in the Arc and Prix Foy. North America debut.

Magician (Galileo): SCRATCHED

Hardest Core (Hard Spun): Won the Arlington Million and Cape Henlopen. Undefeated for his new connections.

Starspangled Heat (Unusual Heat): 4^th in both the Del Mar Handicap and John Henry. Hasn't won in over a year.

Chicquita (Montjeu (IRE)): Third on Champions Day at Ascot and 15^th in the Arc. Won the Irish Oaks earlier this year.

Main Sequence (Aldebaran): Won the Turf Classic and Sword Dancer. 3 for 3 in the US.

Big John B (Hard Spun): 3^rd in the John Henry and won the Del Mar Handicap. Had been in claiming company before being claimed by his current connections earlier this year.

Picks

Win- Main Sequence

Place- Flintshire

Show- Telescope

Dark Horse- Big John B/Hardest Core/Twilight Eclipse

Video Preview

Joe Hirsch Turf Classic recap

Flaxman Holding's homebred Main Sequence (Aldebaran) remained perfect in the US with another WAYI win this time in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic. Twilight Eclipse (Purim) was second and Imagining (Giant's Causeway) was third. Graham Motion trains and Rajiv Maragh rode.

Out of the mare Ikat (IRE) (Pivotal (GB)), Main Sequence has earned $1,648,311 in 17 starts with 7 of them wins, 3 seconds and 3 thirds.

Replay:

Super Saturday Part 2

7th Race - Belmont Park - Saturday, September 27th, 2014 STAKES. 1 1/4 Mile Turf. Purse $600,000. Flower Bowl Invitational S. (Grade 1). INNER TURF FOR FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD. (04:07 PM)

PP	Horse	A/S	M/E	Wgt	Jockey	Trainer
1	Abaco	6 M	L	121	Ortiz Jose L.	McGaughey III Claude R.
2	Maximova	4 F	L	119	Velasquez Cornelio H.	Clement Christophe
3	Viva Rafaela (BRZ)	5 M	L	119	Castellano Javier	Pletcher Todd A.
4	Strathnaver (GB)	5 M	L	119	Rosario Joel	Motion H. Graham
5	Starstruck (IRE)	5 M	L	119	Clark Kerwin D.	Jones J. Larry
6	Watsdachances (IRE)	4 F	L	119	Bravo Joe	Brown Chad C.
7	Alterite (FR)	4 F	L	121	Ortiz, Jr. Irad	Brown Chad C.
8	Tannery (IRE)	5 M	L	121	Lezcano Jose	Goldberg Alan E.
9	Stephanie's Kitten	5 M	L	121	Velazquez John R.	Brown Chad C.

Abaco (Giant's Causeway): Won the Ballston Spa and was 4^th in the Diana. Belmont form is pretty good, but has only won Allowance/Optional Claimers.

Maximova (Danehill Dancer (IRE)): Won an Allowance/Optional Claimer and was third two back. Won the Bit of Whimsy at Belmont last year.

Viva Rafaela (Know Hights (IRE)): 2^nd in the Glens Falls and Waya. No stakes wins since she's come to the US, but was 3^rd in the New York before her races at Saratoga.

Strathnaver (Oasis Dream): 2^nd in the Ballston Spa and 6^th in the Diana. 2^nd in the Just a Game and her dam is G1 placed in the US.

Starstruck (Galileo (IRE)): 5^th in the Violet and won the Matchmaker for the second year in a row. Was 4^th in last year's Rodeo Drive.

Watsdachances (Diamond Green (FR)): 4^th in the Glens Falls and 3^rd in the Matchmaker. 4^th in the Garden City last year, but won the Miss Grillo as a 2yo at Belmont.

Alterite (Literato (FR)): 11^th in the Beverly D and 8^th in the Diana. Won the Garden City in US debut, 3^rd in the F/M Turf last year.

Tannery (Dylan Thomas (IRE)): 10^th in the Beverly D and Diana. Ran well finishing 2^nd in the New York and was second in the Flower Bowl last year.

Stephane's Kitten (Kitten's Joy): 2^nd in both the Beverly D and Diana. Won the Just a Game last year, but was 5^th in this year's edition.

Picks

Win- Stephane's Kitten

Place- Abaco

Show- Watsdachances

9th Race - Belmont Park - Saturday, September 27th, 2014

STAKES. 1 1/2 Mile Turf. Purse $600,000. Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational S. (Grade 1). FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD. (05:16 PM)

PP	Horse	A/S	M/E	Wgt	Jockey	Trainer
1	Twilight Eclipse	5 G	L	126	Lezcano Jose	Albertrani Thomas
2	Imagining	6 H	L	126	Rosario Joel	McGaughey III Claude R.
3	Hangover Kid	6 H	L	126	Ortiz, Jr. Irad	Servis Jason
4	Big Blue Kitten	6 H	L	126	Bravo Joe	Brown Chad C.
5	Real Solution	5 H	L	126	Castellano Javier	Brown Chad C.
6	Main Sequence	5 G	L	126	Maragh Rajiv	Motion H. Graham
7	Medal Count	3 C	L	121	Ortiz Jose L.	Romans Dale L.

Twilight Eclipse (Purim): 3^rd in the Sword Dancer and 2^nd in the UN. Finished fifth in last year's Turf Classic.

Imagining (Giant's Causeway): 2^nd in the Sword Dancer and 6^th in the Manhattan. Won the Man O' War in 3 back and was 6^th in last year's race (Turf Classic).

Hangover Kid (Lemon Drop Kid): Won the Bowling Green and 2^nd in the Momouth Stakes. 6^th in both of his stakes starts at Belmont.

Big Blue Kitten (Kitten's Joy): 2^nd in the Cliff Hanger and won the Lure. Second last year's Turf Classic after winning the Sword Dancer and United Nations.

Real Solution (Kitten's Joy): 7^th in the Arlington Million and won the Manhattan. 3^rd in last year's Turf Classic after winning the Million via Dq.

Main Sequence (Aldebaran): Won both the Sword Dancer and the UN. Those have been his only starts in the US so far.

Medal Count (Dynaformer): 2^nd in the Dueling Grounds Derby and 9^th in the Haskell. Won the Transylvania earlier this year and this is his first race on the Belmont turf course (3^rd in the Belmont earlier this year.

Picks

Win- Main Sequence

Place- Big Blue Kitten

Show- Imagining

7th Race - Santa Anita Park - Saturday, September 27th, 2014

STAKES. 1 1/4 Mile Turf. Purse $300,000. Rodeo Drive S. (Grade 1). FOR FILLIES AND MARES, THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD. (03:30 PM)

PP	Horse	A/S	M/E	Wgt	Jockey	Trainer
1	Cozze Up Lady	5 M	L	119	Desormeaux Kent J.	Desormeaux J. Keith
2	Famous Alice	3 F	L b	116	Van Dyke Drayden	Proctor Thomas F.
3	Moulin De Mougin	4 F	L	119	Smith Mike E.	Mandella Richard E.
4	Bee Brave (GB)	4 F	L	119	Baze Tyler	Callaghan Simon
5	Scarlet Strike	4 F	L	119	Talamo Joseph	Hollendorfer Jerry
6	Rusty Slipper	4 F	L	119	Gryder Aaron T.	Motion H. Graham
7	Emollient	4 F	L b	121	Napravnik Rosie	Mott William I.
8	Parranda	5 M	L	119	Trujillo Elvis	Hollendorfer Jerry
9	Irish Mission	5 M	L	119	Nakatani Corey S.	Clement Christophe
10	Charlie Em (GB)	4 F	L	119	Garcia Martin	Gallagher Patrick
11	Stormy Lucy	5 M	L	119	Bejarano Rafael	Moger, Jr. Ed
12	Bunairgead (IRE)	4 F	L	119	Espinoza Victor	Cassidy James M.
13	Miss Serendipity (ARG)	6 M	L	124	Blanc Brice	McAnally Ronald L.
14	Queen Of The Sand (IRE)	4 F	L	119	Solis Alex O.	Gallagher Patrick

Cozze Up Lady (Cozzene): 3^rd in the Yellow Ribbon and John C. Mabee. Has never run at Santa Anita.

Famous Alice (Kitten's Joy): 5^th in the Del Mar Oaks and 2^nd in the Senorita Stakes. Won an Allowance/Optional Claimer over the course earlier this year.

Moulin De Mougin (Curlin): Won the Mabee and was third in the Royal Heroine. Better going longer then shorter.

Bee Brave (Rail Link (GB)): Graded stakes debut for a filly who was 4^th in her lone stakes try. Won an Allowance last time out.

Scarlet Strike (Smart Strike): 2^nd in her last two starts. Last graded stakes placing was a second in last year's Honeymoon.

Rusty Slipper (Lemon Drop Kid): Won the Violet and was 4^th in the Eatontown. Goes from East to West.

Emollient (Empire Maker): 9^th in the Beverly D and Diana. 2^nd in the Gamely earlier this year and was 4^th in both the Filly and Mare Turf last year and Santa Ana.

Parranda (English Channel): 2^nd in the Yellow Ribbon and 3^rd in the Clement L. Hirsch. Has wins over the course in the Royal Heroine and Wilshire.

Irish Mission (Giant's Causeway): Won the Glens Falls and was 2^nd in the Matchmaker. Ran well against the boys in the Belmont Gold Cup, first start over the course.

Charlie Em (Kheleyf): 4^th in her last and won the Possibly Perfect 2 back. Did win the Senorita last year in her US debut.

Stormy Lucy (Stormy Atlantic): 4^th in the Yellow Ribbon and Mabee. Won both the Santa Barbara and the Santa Ana earlier this year and was third in this race in 2012.

Bunairgead (New Approach (IRE)): 8^th in the Yellow Ribbon and 4^th in her US debut. Stakes winner in Europe.

Miss Serendipity (Not for Sale (ARG)): Won the Yellow Ribbon, 6^th in the Mabee. Has also won the Gamely and well in other Santa Anita stakes races.

Queen of the Sand (Footstepsinthesand (GB)): Won last two races including one at Santa Anita. This is her stakes debut.

Picks

Win- Moulin De Mougin

Place- Irish Mission

Show- Emollient

Video

Irish Champion recap

Frank Gillespie's The Grey Gatsby (IRE) ran down Australia (IRE) (Galileo (IRE)) in the final strides to win The Irish Champion Stakes. Trading Leather (IRE) (Teofilo (IRE)) was third in the mile and quarter race. Ryan Moore rode and Kevin Ryan trained.

Bred by Malcolm Parrish, he is out of the mare Marie Vision (IRE) (Entrepreneur (GB)). He has 11 starts with 4 wins, 4 seconds and 0 thirds and earnings of about $2,346,482.06 US.

Replay:



The Grey Gatsby has now earned a spot into this year's BC Turf.

Grosser Preis Von Baden recap

For the first time in his career, Sea the Moon (GER) (Sea the Stars (IRE)) tasted defeat. The Grosser Preis Von Baden at Baden-Baden was won by Gestüt Schlenderhan's homebred Ivanhowe (GER) (Soldier Hallow (GB)). Sea the Moon did finish second and Night Wish (GER) (Sholokhov (IRE)) was third. The winner is trained by Jean-Pierre Carvalho and was ridden by Filip Minarik.

Bred by his owner, Ivanhowe is out of the mare Indigo Girl (GER) ((Sternkoenig (IRE)). His record is 6 starts with 3 wins, 1 second and 0 thirds with earnings of about $306,001.82 US.

Replay (It's in German)



Ivanhowe has earned a spot into this year's Turf.

Del Mar Handicap Recap

Making his stakes debut, Michael House's Big John B (Hard Spun) made his move on the final turn to pull away and win the Del Mar Handicap by 5 1/4 lengths. Bench Light (Benchmark) and Bright Thought (Hat Trick (JPN)) was third. Ridden by Mike Smith, John is trained by Phil D'Amato. He was claimed earlier this year for $50,000.

Bred by Brylynn Farm, Inc. and out of the mare Baldomera (Doneraile Court), John has a record of 28 starts with 11 wins, 5 seconds and 3 thirds as well as earnings of $458,805. Replay:

 

Big John B has earned a spot into this year's Breeders' Cup Turf.

Del Mar Handicap Preview

The first major WAYI for the Turf division in California happens on Saturday in the Del Mar Handicap.

8th Race - Del Mar - Saturday, August 23rd, 2014

STAKES. 1 3/8 Mile Turf. Purse $200,000. Del Mar H. (Grade 2). FOR THREE-YEAR-OLDS AND UPWARD. By subscription of $200 each, which shall accompany the nomination, closed Thursday August 14, 2014 with 18, $3,000 additional to start, with $200,000 Guaranteed, of which $120,000 to first, $40,000 to second, $24,000 to third, $12,000 to fourth and $4,000 to fifth. The Del Mar Handicap has been selected as one of the Breeders' Cup Win and You're In Challenge Races. The nominated winner of the Del Mar Handicap will be entitled to automatic entry into the 2014 running ofthe Breeders' Cup Turf. The nominated winner will also be entitled to have pre-entry and entry fees waived ($60,000 value) for the Championship race, and will be entitled to receive a travel stipend of $10,000 (US) if traveling from a location outside Callifornia or $40,000 (US) if traveling internationally. To be eligible for the 2014 Breeders' Cup Championships to be held at Santa Anita on October 31 and November 1, 2014, all horses must be pre-entered by noon (Pacific time at the designated pre-entry locations) by October 20, 2014.Winner must be Breeders' Cup nominated by pre-entry deadline to receive Challenge rewards. High weights preferred. A trophy will be presented to the owner of the winner. (Rail at 12 feet). (05:30 PM) (13)

PP	Horse	A/S	M/E	Wgt	Jockey	Trainer
1	Topic	4 F	L	112	Perez Fernando Hernandez	Drysdale Neil D.
2	Poshsky	4 G	L	114	Van Dyke Drayden	Miller Peter
3	Irish Surf	4 C	L	120	Espinoza Victor	Hendricks Dan L.
4	Big John B	5 G	L	118	Smith Mike E.	D'Amato Philip
5	Bright Thought	5 R	L	118	Bejarano Rafael	D'Amato Philip
6	Starspangled Heat	6 G	L	116	Maldonado Edwin A.	Abrams Barry
7	Si Sage (FR)	4 C		117	Nakatani Corey S.	Vienna Darrell
8	Bench Light	5 G	L	114	Desormeaux Kent J.	Pender Michael
9	Quick Casablanca (CHI)	6 H	L	119	Talamo Joseph	McAnally Ronald L.
10	Unbridled Command	5 H	L b	118	Trujillo Elvis	Miller Peter
11	Fire With Fire	6 G	L	123	Baze Tyler	Drysdale Neil D.
12	Cogito	5 H	L	114	Gutierrez Mario	Freeman Edward R.
13	Ice Cream Truck	4 G	L	113	Pereira Tiago Josue	Avila A. C.

Topic (Discreet Cat): Crossed the wire second in the Robert Dick Memorial, but was DQ'ed to ninth, second in an Allowance/Optional Claimer, and 3^rd in the Keertana in her last three starts. Her best graded stakes start is a 3^rd in last year's American Oaks. Has a win at Del Mar.

Poshsky (Vronsky): Stakes debut. Last three starts have been in Allowance/Optional Claimers where he has finished 2^nd, 1^st, and 1^st.

Irish Surf (Giant's Causeway) Scratched Going in the Pacific Classic instead.

B John B (Hard Spun): Stakes debut. Won his last three starts with the last two being in California.

Bright Thought (Hat Trick (JPN)): 3^rd in the Wickerr, 5^th in the Wittingham and 9^th in the Woodford. Ran 10^th in last year's Breeders' Cup Mile and won the San Luis.

Starspangled Heat (Unusual Heat): 5^th in an Allowance last week, 2^nd in the California Dreamin' and 3^rd in the San Juan Capistrano. Defeated Irish Surf last year in an Allowance/Optional Claimer at Del Mar.

Si Sage (Sageburg (IRE)): 6^th in the International Cup in Singapore (just behind last weekend's 3^rd place finisher in the Arlington Million Side Glance), 6^th in Allowance and 2^nd in the San Marcos. Was no better then 5^th last year in 3 Del Mar races.

Bench Light (Benchmark): 3 for 6 on the year with a win in the last an Allowance/Optional Claimer. Last stakes tries where in 2012.

Quick Casablanca (Until Sundown): 2^nd in the San Jaun Capistrano, 3^rd in the Wittingham and won the Last Tycoon. Has been better since moving from New York.

Unbridled Command (Master Command): 2012 Hollywood Derby winner has only started three times since then. Once in 2013 where he was third in the Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap and up track in his last two California starts last of which was 5^th in the Eddie Read.

Fire With Fire (Distorted Humor): Winner of the Wittingham, 2^nd in the Last Tycoon and won the San Luis Rey. Also has a win in the Cotton Fitzsimmons this year.

Cogito (Giant's Causeway): 6^th in his lone start this year, the Eddie Read. Was also 6^th in last two starts which where last year.

Ice Cream Truck (Plesantly Perfect): Third in his last 2 starts (including the Cougar II) and won a Claiming in June. In the race right before that he broke his maiden. (Cross-entered into the Pacific Classic.

Picks

1st: Fire With Fire

2nd: Big John B

3rd: Quick Casablanca

Top Horses List: Week 6 (Turf only)

With the Arlington Million and Juddmonte International in the books, here is the inaugural Top Horses List for the Turf. This list will be 5 horses and expand to 9 after the Grosser Preis Von Baden in September.

Rank	Horse's Name (Sire)	Trainer	Profile
1	Australia (GB) (Galileo (IRE))	O'Brien	Even though he won't come, the fact he is possibly the best 3yo distance horse is pretty impressive. Won the Epsom, Irish Derbies and on Weds won the Juddmonte International over older males. In all likelyhood Arc next. That being said, his dam is two time F/M Turf winner Ouija Board, so that is something to keep in consideration.
2	Main Sequence (Aldebaran)	Motion	Ran okay in Europe with his best stakes finish a 2nd in the Epsom Derby in 2012 to Camelot. However, he is 2 for 2 in the US and both of them where at least a mile and a half. If the Turf Classic is next, he will be very tough to beat.
3	Hardest Core (Hard Spun)	Graham	What a story! He had shown promise last year when Adena (under their partnership name Ghostzapper Racing) had him when he was 2nd in the Stroll with Kieren McLaughlin. Then sold to dissolve the partnership. 4 for 4 for his new connections including 2 stakes wins with the Arlington Million this past weekend.
4	Magician (IRE) (Galileo (IRE))	O'Brien	The defending champ hasn't looked good in his past two starts. That being said, his win over the Santa Anita surface last year will be helpful and not harmful.
5	Side Glance (GB) (Passing Glance (GB))	Balding	He seems to be more adapted now at his age for North American racing then he is European. He was 3rd in his last two races to Main Sequence and Hardest Core. Not sure he can win the Turf, but he'll certainly be there at the end of the race.

Others Considered: The Pizza Man (English Channel), Mr. Speaker (Pulpit), Tourist (Tiznow), The Grey Gatsby (IRE) (Mastercraftsman (IRE)), Telescope (IRE) (Galileo (IRE))

Where's Taghrooda?: The only reason why she is not in this list has is the fact I feel that she is highly unlikely to come, sure Australia is also highly unlikely, but just knowing his connections he could be coming. 

International Stakes Recap

Coolmore's Australia (GB) (Galileo (IRE)) who was facing older horses for the first time defeated fellow 3yo The Grey Gatsby (IRE) (Mastercraftsman (IRE)) in the Juddmonte International Stakes at York. Telescope (IRE) (Galileo (IRE)) finished in third in this mile and quarter race. Ridden by Joseph O'Brien (won with Magician), Australia had won both the Epsom and Irish Derbys in his last two starts after finishing third in the English 2000 Guineas. He is trained by Aiden O'Brien (father to Joseph).

Out of 2 time BC F/M Turf Champion Ouija Board (GB) (Cape Cross (IRE)), he was bred by Stanley Estate And Stud Co. His record is 7 starts with 5 wins, 1 seconds, 1 thirds and earnings of about $3,206,310.52 US.

Replay

http://youtu.be/FqswOY_4R6s

Australia has now earned a spot into this year's Breeders' Cup Turf.

Arlington Million Recap

It looked like that Breeders' Cup Turf winner Magician (IRE) (Galileo (IRE)) was going to add the prestigious Arlington Million to his record, but he would be defeated in the final yards by Andrew Bentley Stable's Hardest Core (Hard Spun). Magician did finish in second with Side Glance (GB) (Passing Glance (GB)) was third. Defending champion Real Solution (Kitten's Joy) finished in last.

Ridden by Eriluis Vaz, Hardest Core is trained by Eddie Graham. He was coming off a win in the Cape Henlopen at Delaware Park.

Replay:



Out of the mare Lillybuster (Housebuster), he was bred by Mueller Farms. He has a record of 11 starts with 6 wins, 2 seconds and no thirds and earnings of $842,580.

Hardest Core now has earned a spot in this year's Breeders' Cup Turf.

Arlington Million Preview

The big one! Arlington's most important race goes on Saturday as seven horses fight it out for the Arlington Million. Here is this year's field:

10th Race - Arlington Park - Saturday, August 16th, 2014

STAKES. 1 1/4 Mile Turf. Purse $1,000,000. Arlington Million XXXII S. (Grade 1). FOR THREE-YEAR-OLDS AND UPWARD. (05:36 PM) (7)

PP	Horse	A/S	M/E	Wgt	Jockey	Trainer
1	Hardest Core	4 G	L	126	Vaz Eriluis	Graham Edward L.
2	Smoking Sun	5 H		126	Pasquier Stephane	Bary Pascal F.
3	Magician (IRE)	4 C	L	126	O'Brien Joseph Patrick	O'Brien Aidan P.
4	Finnegans Wake	5 H	L	126	Moore Ryan L.	Romans Dale L.
5	Up With The Birds	4 C	L	126	Da Silva Eurico Rosa	Pierce Malcolm
6	Real Solution	5 H	L	126	Castellano Javier	Brown Chad C.
7	Side Glance (GB)	7 G	L	126	Spencer Jamie P.	Balding Andrew

Hardest Core (Hard Spun): Won the Cape Henlopen in his last and had won 2 Allowance/Optional Claimers before that. 2^nd in the Stroll in his lone other stakes try. This is his graded stakes debut. (Note: Hardest Core is also entered into the American St. Ledger)

Smoking Sun (Smart Strike): 2^nd in the International Cup in Singapore in his last. Earlier this year, was 4^th in the Prix Ganay to Cirrus Des Aigles. Won the Prix d'Hardcourt earlier this year.

Magician (Galileo (IRE)): 6^th in the King George & Queen Elizabeth and 2^nd in the Prince of Wales's before that. Last year's Turf winner also won the Irish 2000 Guineas.

Finnegans Wake (Powerscourt (GB)): Won the Arlington Handicap, 6^th in the Monmouth Stakes and 8^th in the Woodford Reserve. Faced Will Take Charge last year in the Clark and was 4^th in last year's Arlington Million also 2^nd in the 2012 Secretariat.

Up With the Birds (Stormy Atlantic): Won the Nijinsky, 6^th in the Dixie and Allowance race. Won last year's Breeders' Stakes and Jamaica after finishing 2^nd in the Queen's Plate. Canada's Champion 3yo Male and Horse of the Year.

Real Solution (Kitten's Joy): Won the Million last year after being elevated from 2^nd. Won the Manhattan, 2^nd in the Man o'War and 4^th in the Muniz in his last three. Is coming in better to the Million this year then he did last year. No horse has won the Million back to back (Powerscourt crossed the wire first, but was dq'ed in the 04 edition).

Side Glance (Passing Glance (GB)): Oldest horse in the field, 3^rd in last year's Million. 3^rd in the United Nations in his last, 9^th in the Queen Anne and 5^th in the International Cup. Finished in front of 2011 Mile winner Court Vision in the 2011 Woodbine Mile.

Picks

1^st: Real Solution

2^nd: Magician

3^rd: Side Glance

Dark Horse: Up With the Birds

Video Preview

Race Recap: King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes

The first WAYI race in Europe of the season went to when Shadwell's Taghrooda (GB) (Sea the Stars (IRE)) won the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes today at Ascot. Telescope (IRE) (Galileo (IRE)) finished in second and Mukhadram (GB) (Shamadral) was in third. Taghrooda was the only filly in the race and is undefeated in her four starts which include the Epsom Oaks.

She was ridden by Paul Hanagan and trained by John Gosden, she was bred by her owner. Out of the mare Ezmia (IRE) (Saddlers Wells), Taghrooda has earned £928,902 about $1,576,950.48 US.

Replay:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9q-VhZmP4uE

Taghrooda has now earned a spot in the Turf with this win.

Race Preview: King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes

The first European Win and You're In race of the Year takes place on Saturday in the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth which takes place at Ascot Racecourse. The King George (as I will be referring it from here on out) is a WAYI for the Turf held at a mile and a half. Lets take a look at this year's field:

Post	Horse's Name	Age/ Sex	Jockey	Trainer
1	Mukhadram (GB)	5/H	O'Neill	Haggas
2	Telescope (IRE)	4/C	Moore	Stoute
3	Leitir Mor (IRE)	4/C	Whelan	Bolger
4	Magician (IRE)	4/C	J. O'Brien	A. O'Brien
5	Romsdal (GB)	3/C	Hughes	Gosden
6	Trading Leather (IRE)	4/C	Manning	Bolger
7	Taghrooda (GB)	3/F	Hanagan	Gosden
8	Eagle Top (GB)	3/C	Buick	Gosden
9	Flintshirt (GB)	4/C	Guyon	Fabre

Mukhadram (Shamardal): Won the Coral-Eclipse in his last over Trading Leather, The Fugue, Verrazano among others. 4^th to The Fugue at Royal Ascot and was the runner up in the Dubai World Cup.

Telescope (Galileo (IRE)): Won at Royal Ascot over Joshua Tree, Dandino among others. Had finished second to Noble Mission (who was pointed towards this race, but appears to be waiting until next month's Arlington Million in the US).

Leitir Mor (Holy Roman Emperor (IRE)): 3 top three finishes in the last year. His last win was June 2013.

Magician (Galileo (IRE)): Last year's Breeders' Cup Turf winner. 2^nd in his last 2 including at Royal Ascot against the now retired The Fugue.

Romsdal (Halling): 3^rd in the Epsom Derby to Australia and second in a Group 3 before that. This will be his 5^th career start.

Trading Leather (Teofilo (IRE)): 2^nd in the Corel-Eclipse to Mukhadram (who is also in this race). Has faced The Fugue, Declaration of War, Magician and Lines of Battle (now named Helene Super Star in Hong Kong).

Taghrooda (Sea the Stars (IRE)): Undefeated in three starts, including the Epsom Oaks. This will be her first start against males.

Eagle Top (Privotal (GB)): 2 for 3 in his career including a win in his last at Royal Ascot. Is the most lightly raced horse in the field.

Flintshire (Dansili (GB)): Has been running against some good company including last year's Classic 3^rd place finisher Ruler of the World, Arc winner Treve and European stalwart Cirrus Des Aigles. 5^th in France in his last.

Picks


Win: Trading Leather

Place: Taghrooda

Show: Mukhadram

Good luck to all and safe travels!