IT'S INGLORIOUS WHO WAS GLORIOUS INDEED IN THE QUEEN'S PLATE!

WOW!!!


Full event - FF to 1:12 for loading into gate; then race at 1:16
Be sure to watch the replay toward the end, after the race is run, to watch the replay from inside the rail!!  A great trip!

LET'S GO TO THE RACES -
JUNE 25-26

A quick reference tool meant to help the newer fan (like me!)

A lot of summertime racing action:  Canada's "Triple Crown" season starts off on Sunday with a couple of races leading up to the $1,000,000 Queen's Plate, the "Kentucky Derby" of Canada racing.  More reasons to celebrate the ladies, with the filly, Inglorious, set to go off as the lone female in a field of 17 colts and geldings.   From HorseRacingNation: "Get ready racefans, it's time for our neighbor to the North's Kentucky Derby. The Queen's Plate is the biggest of all the big races in Canada, and with 151 previous editions, it has a long and storied past." Read more....Source

As most of us are aware, the Older Female division, along with the 3 Year Old Females have provided the consistency that the other divisions have lacked so far this racing season.  Besides the filly running in the Queens Plate on Sunday, there are a couple of other races that will feature the distaff side.

LET'S GO TO THE RACES - JUNE 18

A quick reference tool meant to help the newer fan (like me!)

JUNE 18

BELMONT PARK
Ogden Phipps H (gr. I), $250,000g, 3&up, f/m, 8.5f.
BHorse: Race Card - Ogden Phipps
BHorse: Awesome Maria shoots for her first Grade 1 race
TTimes: Awesome Maria rides momentum into Ogden Phipps
Brisnet: Awesome Maria, Unrivaled Belle in Ogden Phipps
DRF: Unrivaled Belle out to turn tables
Star studded card including Awesome Maria (looking for first G1 win and flawless in 3 wins this season), Life at Ten, Absinthe Minded, Unrivaled Belle (BC Ladies Classic winner)

Medication Summit Called 'New Beginning'

By Eric Mitchell

Updated: Wednesday, June 15, 2011 9:16 AM
Posted: Tuesday, June 14, 2011 8:27 PM

A baby step toward progress was how organizers described the two-day International Race Day Medication Summit held June 13-14 at Belmont Park.

"... The next step will be a follow-up meeting in July of the RMTC board, which will take over the lead in the debate and analysis of race-day medication use because it is a consortium of 25 racing industry stakeholders. The RMTC’s mission is to develop and promote uniform medication rules, policies, and testing standards in additional to coordinating research and education programs."  Read more...Source

I wonder how the bi-partisan legislation proposed in congress, if it passes, will affect how the industry responds. 

Horses for centuries ran without these drugs!  The rest of the world looks down on the U.S. and seems at times bordering on boycotting the American sport.  It seems that the "perfect storm" may be landing on the sport in the U.S. and they may have no choice but to address this issue head on.  The American Jockey Club supports the RCI recommendation of a 5-year phase-in plan, and others, including some breeders, favor this as well.

It will be interesting to see how all of this plays out.

Study: EIPH is an Inherited Trait

By Eric Mitchell

Updated: Wednesday, June 15, 2011 8:55 AM
Posted: Tuesday, June 14, 2011 3:10 PM

Concerns about Salix’s performance-enhancing attributes may pale in comparison to the potential detrimental effects the drug’s widespread use in North America may have on the genetic health of the Thoroughbred.

The heritability of exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhaging, commonly known as bleeding, came to light during a veterinarian panel discussion as part of the public session of the two-day International Summit on Race Day Medication, EIPH and the Racehorse at Belmont Park.  Read more...Source

Leading by Example - Eric Mitchell 4-24-2012

Shackleford to spend two weeks at WinStar Farm and then be pointed to Haskell

By Marty McGee - BloodHorse.com 

06/15/2011 11:13AM

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Preakness winner Shackleford has been sent to WinStar Farm in Versailles, Ky., for a two-week break before gearing back up for a run in the $1 million Haskell Invitational on July 31 at Monmouth Park, said trainer Dale Romans.  Read more....Source

Havre de Grace - Cruising to a Championship Year

HdG cruises home in the Obeah Handicap
ESPN Sports - Havre de Grace - Obeah Handicap

Halfway to Horse of the Year
Horse Racing Nation - Halfway to Horse of the Year

Havre de Grace - Obeah Stakes - June 11, 2011


Apple Blossom H - Apr 15, 2011


Azeri Stakes - March 19, 2011

ANALYSIS - 2011 Belmont

What happened to Animal Kingdom at the start of the race?  How was his race different from similar "near disasters" in big races of the past?

Animal Kingdom's trainer, Graham Motion, said AK is fine after clipping heels with another horse out of the starting gate at the start of the Belmont. Rider, Johnny Velasquez, said the race was lost right there, although it did look like he had a chance towards the end. Afleet Alex went to his knees in the Preakness at the top of the stretch in what many have termed as the greatest Preakness ever; Alysheba's Derby was frought with trouble throughout the race; and Rags to Riches fell to her knees in the Belmont out of the starting gate.

For discussion: I wonder how these incidents were different from what happened to AK and the jockey in this year's Belmont and they weren't able to overcome and go on to win.

RULER ON ICE RULES THE BELMONT!

Breaking sports news video. MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL highlights and more.

Breaking sports news video. MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL highlights and more.

Breaking sports news video. MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL highlights and more.

HOY COULD BE GOAL OF HAVRE DE GRACE

By Jason Shandler

Updated: Wednesday, June 8, 2011 9:54 AM
Posted: Tuesday, June 7, 2011 4:44 PM

Larry Jones has been fortunate enough to train some very talented fillies—Eight Belles, Island Sand, Proud Spell, and Wildcat Bettie B are among them. But according to Jones, Havre de Grace might not just be the most talented, she could be the best horse—male or female—he’s ever had in his barn. 
Read more...Source

06/02/2011 4:31PM

In Belmont Stakes, pace is key to victory

By Dave Litfin

So what’s the best way to win the Belmont?

Whether a Triple Crown is on the line or not, pace strategy and tactics are usually a key element of the Test of the Champion. This is especially true when prospective contenders have contrasting running styles, as will be the case if Animal Kingdom, Shackleford, and Nehro all make the race.  Read more...source

Rating game: The art and science of rationing speed

By Marcus Hersh - DRF

"Shackleford is a speed horse, yes, but in the Preakness he showed mastery of the skill that separates horses running on blind instinct from horses racing with a purpose: rating."  Read more...

Nereid is learning to RATE (not rank) behind another horse, taking away the stress of going head to head or feeling the pressure of another horse at her flank.
Posted by John Shirreffs at YouTube under his channel, jonshfs05