I hope everyone had a good weekend full of fireworks, BBQ, frosty beverages, or at least cashing a few tickets. I'm going to be away from the computer for the next couple of days, so I won't be around the site much until Thursday. Until then, here are some quick thoughts on the racing this past weekend:
- I hesitate to write that Joe Bravo gave Stacelita (FR) a bad ride in the United Nations, but there's no question in my mind that going wide into the 2nd turn (the UN was three turns) and pulling her way to the front on the backstretch cost her a legit chance to win at the wire.
A lot of European horses prefer to be covered up in the early stages and then will begin to make their move then they are moved to the outside into the clear. That's the sign to the horse to make their run. In the early stages of the United Nations, Bravo get Stacelita in a fairly covered up position until the field enters the 2nd turn, where she gets forced wide. As soon as she was put into the clear, she pulls Bravo all the way down the backside to the front of the pack. It was a big, powerful move, but it was incredibly premature.
I'm not sure what Bravo could or should have done to avoid going wide into that turn, but I think it's highly likely that she runs a much better race in the final stages if she stays covered up into that turn. - Bobby Flay's Her Smile picks up a Grade 1 win in the Prioress yesterday. I still maintain that the filly should be named Chipotle Pepper.
- If you like to follow high Beyer figures, take note that Flat Out received the highest stakes figure of the weekend - a 113 for his win in the G2-Suburban on Saturday. Smiling Tiger garnered a 112 in the Triple Bend at Hollywood Park.
Other News and Notes:
Uncle Mo to return to Pletcher next week - ESPN
Uncle Mo, last year's 2-year-old champion who missed the Kentucky Derby because of a rare liver disease, has recently started galloping and is expected to ship to Saratoga next Monday, according to trainer Todd Pletcher.
Churchill Downs Has Positive Spring Meet - BloodHorse.com
Churchill Downs reported a number of positive statistics for its 38-day spring that ended July 4.
Breeders' Cup winner Dakota Phone retired - Daily Racing Form
Dakota Phone, the upset winner of the Breeders\' Cup Dirt Mile last November, has been retired because of an injury sustained in the spring, trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said on Monday.
Woodbine: Inglorious skipping Prince of Wales, points to Alabama - Daily Racing Form
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Inglorious, winner of the 1 1/4-mile Queen’s Plate, will not be continuing on the Canadian Triple Crown trail at Fort Erie.
USA Spencer relishing Cape Blanco ride in Man O'War - Racing Post
JAMIE SPENCER is looking forward to travelling across the Atlantic at the weekend to take the ride on Cape Blanco who will be trying to stop Gio Ponti winning the Grade 1 Man O'War Stakes for a third time.
So You Think achieves unique feat in Eclipse July 4 - Racing Post
SO YOU THINK enhanced his global reputation in the Coral Eclipse on Saturday but after such a high profile build up it would be easy to overlook just what a unique achievement this was for the New Zealand bred colt.