MIKE SMITH:  All Star rider prepares for Ascot at the grass roots

US Hall of Fame jockey prepares for the fresh challenge of royal meeting with a race of Folkestone.  Chris McGrath hears why.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Mr Smith goes to Folkestone. Back in Hollywood, near his home in the hills above Los Angeles, they wouldn't entertain a scenario like this for two minutes. Mike Smith has an everyday sort of name, but that is the only congruity in his arrival tomorrow at one of the least glamorous venues on the British Turf. As when Frank Capra sent his namesake to Washington, however, Smith will inspire any rival who has mislaid the best possibilities of their vocation.  Read more...Source

Derby Winner Sets Shining Example for Wayward Industry

New York Times, The Rail Horseracing Blog

May 8, 2011, 2:45 pm

By JIM SQUIRES

LOUSIVILLE, KY — Even though the winner has a Brazilian-bred sire and a German-bred dam, the 137th Kentucky Derby made a big run toward retaining its eminence as the world’s greatest race. The reasons are legion.

Animal Kingdom was Kentucky-bred, born and raised in the Bluegrass State, as was 75 percent of the field. His sire, with an impossible to pronounce, decidedly non-commercial name — Leroidesanimaux — is at once a shining example of everything that has been going wrong in the American thoroughbred breeding industry and everything that can save it. Read more at Source

IT'S ON TO THE PREAKNESS AND BEYOND!

Who's in, who's out?  My two top favorites, Dialed In and Mucho Macho Man, are still likely to be favorites right behind Animal Kingdom for the Preakness.  There are some new shooters, as well, and the following links will give a run down of all the players expected in Baltimore May 21.

Steve Haskin - Derby Recap: Kingdom Come!
Official site for the 136th Preakness at Pimlico in Maryland
DRF: Only a few Derby runners planning to go to Pimlico
HRN Brian Zipse:  Preakness Early Preview
BloodHorse - Graham Motion: "Yesterday was surreal!" Also: Dialed In, Mucho Macho Man to Preakness
BloodHorse - Concealed Identity wins Tesio - Headed for Preakness?
ThoroughbredTimes - Preakness News: Animal Kingdom heads out, Astrology on work tab
Brisnet: Astrology drills for potential Preakness tilt; The Factor set to work
Brisnet: Animal Kingdom to ship to Maryland Tuesday
Brisnet: Belmont could be in the works for Nehro

IT'S ANIMAL KINGDOM!! 
NEHRO 2ND, MUCHO MACHO MAN 3RD!

I'm pleased that two of my top three picks finished in the money!  I did a lot better than many of the so-called "experts" who got it wrong 90% of the time this entire Derby Prep season, which started in January, culminating in the Kentucky Derby yesterday!

Nehro seems to be "always a bride", but at second in a race like this, you have to give him a lot of credit.  Finishing second in a race like this is a tremendous achievement!  Well done! 

NBC Sports high-def videos below:

DIALED IN

My interest in this horse began right after I watched him win the Holy Bull,, a Derby prep race, January 30, 2011.  I loved his "come from behind" style and his style, along with his shadow roll reminded me a lot of Zenyatta, perhaps the most famous come-from-behnd horse to come along in a long while.  I went back and watched his maiden race (all of his races are below the jump) in November of last year and instantly fell in love.  Then, in the Florida Derby, he ran the same way, coming from farther behind.  As a closer, he is probably at a disadvantage for the Derby, but he seems to know what he's supposed to do and he's not afraid of a fight (watch him run down Shackleford in the Florida Derby!).

Links, videos and more after the jump.