Aug. 30-Sep 2

LET'S GO TO THE RACES
August 30 - September 2

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

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FIVE GRADE 1 RACES, TOPPED OFF BY THE WOODWARD DURING THIS HOLIDAY WEEKEND!

Some memorable renewals of The Woodward:

The great Alysheba gets the best of Forty Niner in a new track record




Forego's amazing 4 consecutive Woodward Stakes wins - Video
Steve Haskin: Allen Jerkens and the greatest year ever
UPI - Looking ahead to the weekend racing fare
UPI: Racing roundup of past weekend's results

Races listed below in time ordered format.  Come back here after the race is run to watch the replay at the same link.  Also, a printable version of not only the races, but the entries is located under the headline, Featured Races.

Aug 23-25

LET'S GO TO THE RACES - AUGUST 21-25

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

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THE MIDSUMMER DERBY PART OF PACKAGE OF WEEKEND'S SIX GRADE 1 RACES!

TV Schedule:
NBC Saturday 4:30-6:00 p.m. EDT

One of the busiest weekends of racing in the U.S. for the entire year includes SIX GRADE 1 races at Saratoga and Del Mar!  Add to that the Juddmonte International (Aug. 21) and the Darley Yorkshire Oaks (Aug. 22) both at York!

Some of the biggest stars of the sport converge on both coasts for the TRAVERS, PACIFIC CLASSIC, PERSONAL ENSIGN, KING'S BISHOP, the BALLERINA, and the TEST, all GRADE 1 races.

A TRIBUTE TO THE GREAT PERSONAL ENSIGN, first horse in 80 years in the U.S. to retire undefeated. Royal Delta will be running in the Personal Ensign Stakes on Sunday at Saratoga, a race whose inception was in 1948 but in 1997, the name was changed to honor the great filly. It is run at 1 1/4 miles, on dirt.

The Grade 1 Personal Ensign Stakes is named after a true legend of the sport. Personal Ensign's career was almost over before it began when she suffered a fracture to her pastern bone late in her two year old season, shortly before the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, a race she would have been favored to win. Dr. Bramlage inserted five screws in her left hind leg. Many people were sure her racing career was over. She came back late in her three year old season, winning all four of her starts, and then in 1988, she set the woods afire with 6 Grade 1 wins, including the Whitney against males, and she won what is arguably considered the race with the most exciting finish in Breeders Cup history, when she defeated the Kentucky Derby winner, Winning Colors, in the Breeders Cup Distaff. I cry every time I watch this race, not for sadness, but for her greatness, her huge effort.

As if a perfect racing career weren't enough, she was a success at stud and was considered one of the most important broodmares of the 20th Century. She was honored as Broodmare of the Year in 1996. Inducted into the Racing Hall of Fame in 1993, she was ranked #48 of the Top 100 Racehorses of the 20th Century.

PERSONAL ENSIGN: Absolutely Perfect!  A tribute by Bob Ehalt

THE TRAVERS:
THE OLDEST RACE FOR THREE YEAR OLDS IN U.S.
Ten things you should know about the Travers Stakes

Great runnings of the Travers Stakes up to and including 1989, narrated by NYRA's John Imbriale.


Affirmed and Alydar's Travers showdown still rouses emotions
Gallant Fox's loss in the Travers of 1930

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Wrap of last weekend's action in U.S.: National Racing Report (video)  Saratoga 150 - Racing history Slideshow  
UPI: A look at last weekend's racing
UPI: A look at weekend of Thoroughbred racing

Races listed below in time ordered format.  Come back here after the race is run to watch the replay at the same link.  Also, a printable version of not only the races, but the entries is located under the headline, Featured Races.

Aug. 16-18

LET'S GO TO THE RACES -  August 17-18

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

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ARLINGTON MILLION DAY!!

 

Against All Odds

 

 

 

"Somewhere Ole Bob Bowers is smiling!"

CONGRATULATIONS TO KEN AND SARAH RAMSEY WITH THEIR HISTORIC 3 GRADE 1 WINS IN ONE DAY!
Real Solution takes Million on DQ   Big Blue Kitten makes point in Sword Dancer  Secretariat is Admiral Kitten's first Grade 1  



UPI:  The Arlington Million and the Sword Dancer highlight a full weekend racing agenda on the green grass with lots of green in the purses.

Arlington Park's Saturday card supports the 31st running of the Grade I Million with two other Grade I events on the turf -- the Beverly D. for fillies and mares and the Secretariat Stakes for 3-year-olds. In addition, the afternoon includes the second running of the American St. Leger at the marathon distance of 13 1/2 furlongs. The Sword Dancer is run at 12 furlongs, or 1 1/2 miles, over the Saratoga grass. Read more at source

Arlington Preview - Bits N' Bunny

Analysis of last week's racing results


UPI: Thoroughbred Racing Roundup - last week's results

NEWS
Haskin: Princess of Sylmar story
Results aside, Shirreffs has already won
Gulfstream Park unveils record stakes program
Richard's Kid appears set for Pacific Classic

Featured races listed below in time ordered format.  After the race is won, come back and click on the Card to view race result and video replay.

Aug 9-11

LET'S GO TO THE RACES - Aug 9-11

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

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No grade 1 races in the U.S. this weekend, but still some nice racing action will take place.  Most of the interest in the U.S. will be centered on Horse of the Year, WISE DAN and Champion Female Sprinter, GROUPIE DOLL.  GROUPIE DOLL, makes her 2013 debut in the GARDENIA STAKES at Ellis Park on Saturday, a race she won at three.  WISE DAN hopes to extend his winning streak to eight in a row in the FOURSTARDAVE.

SUNDAY RACING: While we didn't have any Grade 1 races in the U.S. this weekend, two overseas are kind of interesting for Sunday. First, the GROUP 1 PRIX JACQUES LE MARIOIS at one mile at Deauville has arguably one of the best star-studded fields of Group 1 winners you are ever likely to see competing against each other. MOONLIGHT CLOUD, the filly who almost beat Black Caviar last year at Royal Ascot; INTELLO, winner of the G1 Prix du Jockey Club; ELUSIVE KATE, G1 Falmouth Stakes winner; DECLARATION OF WAR (War Front), winner of G1 Queen Anne Stakes; DAWN APPROACH, winner of G1 St. James Palace; and ALJAMAAHEER, looking for his first Grade 1; these in a field of 13 on Sunday, post time 9:45 a.m. EDT.

The two year olds will shine at The Curragh in the Group 1 PHOENIX STAKES for two year old fillies and colts. Aidan O'Brien is sending 5 of the field of 10, including unbeaten in two starts, War Front colt, WAR COMMAND (USA), last seen winning the G2 Coventry Stakes at Ascot.

If you can't watch these races live, watch for the replays which are sure to be put up at TDN, RacingUK, or several other sites. In the U.S. LADY OF SHAMROCK and MY GIGI, along with TIZ FLIRTATIOUS, face off on the turf in the JOHN C. MABEE STAKES at Del Mar 8:40 p.m. EDT.

NEWS:  Undefeated Australian sensation, Miracles of Life, set to resume career in August
                      August 17 in the Quezette at Caulfield could be next start for "Barbie"!

UPI: A look at weekend horse racing
UPI: Recap of last weekend's racing action
National Racing Report - Aug. 7

FLASH:  DRF Live streaming of Monmouth on Saturday - 12:50 ET
FLASH:  DRF Live streaming from Del Mar on Sunday

Featured races listed below in time ordered format.  After the race is won, come back and click on the Card to view race result and video replay (U.S. races).

Probably one of the easiest places to watch replays of races from all over the world is the Thoroughbred Daily News.  A free online publication, you do have to register to be able to watch the race replays.  They post them fairly quickly, so it requires very little expertise to check in there after the big races to see when they are put up.  This is especially handy for races around the world, including Great Britain, France, Australia.  Check it out:  http://thetdn.com
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FEATURED RACES

Ann Maree's Time Ordered LIST of races and ENTRIES

FRIDAY
4:47 ET  Nat'l Museum Racing Hall of Fame G2, Sar, $200,000g, 3yo, 1 1/16 miT R8 CARD

SATURDAY

4:10 ET  Gardenia G3, Ellis, $100,000g, 3&up, f/m, 1 mi R8 CARD
4:19 ET  Ontario Debutante S,WB, $125,000g, 2yo f, 6f R8 CARD
5:12 ET  Auntie Mame S, Sar, $100,000, 3yo, 1 1/16 mi CARD
5:15 ET  Ta Wee S, GP, $100,000, 3yo+ f, R9, CARD
5:45 ET  Fourstardave H, G2, Sar, $500,000, 3yo+, 1 mi  R10 CARD
5:59 ET  Monmouth Oaks G3, Mth, $100,000g, 3yo f, 1 1/16 mi R11 CARD
8:40 ET  La Jolla H G2, Del, $150,000g, 3yo, 1 1/16 miT  R8 CARD
10:25 ET  Evangeline Mile, EvDns $125,000g, 3&up, 1 mi R10 CARD

More info on today's races:
Groupie Doll headlines the Gardenia Stakes
Past performances Gardenia, Fourstardave, Monmouth Oaks, LaJolla H
Wise Dan towers over Fourstardave rivals
Past performances - Auntie Mame

GREAT BRITAIN
10:35 a.m. ET  Sweet Solara S.,G3, Newmarket, $75,000, 2yof, 7f T, CARD
PPs:  Past Performances for Sweet Solara - Newmarket

FRANCE
10:40 a.m. ET  Prix Hong Kong Jockey Club G3, Deauville, €80,000, 4yo/up, 1 1/4mT CARD
Cirrus des Aigles to miss York in pursuit of Ascot glory
Just in:  Cirrus suffers another reverse, second to Petit Chevalier
More:  Race video at this link as soon as it is available

SUNDAY
4:21 ET  Vandal S (R), WB, $150,000g, 2yo, foaled in Ontario, 6f  R8  CARD 
5:12 ET  Adirondack S G2,Sar, $200,000g, 2yo f, 6.5f R9 CARD
5:45 ET  Saratoga Special S G2, Sar, $200,000g, 2yo, 6.5f R10 CARD
8:40 ET  John C. Mabee S G2, Dlmr, $250,000g, 3&up, f/m, 1 1/8 miT R8 CARD

FRANCE:

9:45 a.m. ET  Jacques le Marois S G1, $300,000, Deauville, 3yo+, 1 mi T  CARD

Europe's best milers competing at Deauville

IRELAND:
10:45 a.m. ET  Keeneland Phoenix Stakes, G1, Curr, 2 yo f/c, 6f,  CARD

MONDAY
2:04 ET  Coronation Cup S, Sar, $100,000g, 3yo f, 5.5fT  R3 CARD
4:47 ET  Kid Russell S, Sar, $100,000, 3yo+, 6.5f R8   CARD

August 3-4

LET'S GO TO THE RACES - August 2-4

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

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St. Nicholas Abbey

GET WELL, NIC!!! 
St. Nicholas Abbey reported to be doing well after suffering a condylar fracture and colic surgery both of which could be life-threatening.  Coolmore TV - St Nicholas Abbey - The Road to Recovery
St. Nicholas Abbey reported to be making positive progress 

Three Grade 1 races in the U.S. this weekend:  The $750,000 Whitney at Saratoga for three year olds and up, and the $300,000 Clement L. Hirsch at Del Mar for three year olds and up fillies and mares, both on Saturday; and the $400,000 Alfred G. Vanderbilt for three and up Sprinters on Sunday.

FLASH!  DEL MAR LIVE STREAMED BY DRF SUNDAY:  Click here

Steve Klein picks Vanderbilt, Best Pal and Wonder Where on Sunday

PREVIEW OF WEEKEND HORSERACING
Results from Goodwood
A showdown between English 3-year-olds highlighted this week's racing and presaged a battle for dominance among their American peers.

The coming weekend sees defending Breeders' Cup Classic winner, Fort Larned, back in action in a star-packed renewal of the historic Whitney Handicap at Saratoga on Saturday, among other graded stakes.

But how about those sophomores? On Wednesday at "Glorious Goodwood" in England, Toronado finally turned the tables on his 3-year-old rival, Dawn Approach. A Kentucky-based colt won the second jewel of Canada's Triple Crown on Tuesday. And, at Saratoga, the upcoming "Midsummer Derby" looks like the race to decide an American 3-year-old championship -- or at least show the way to one.

On Saturday, Mountaineer Park hosts the Grade II West Virginia Derby and Canterbury Park in Minnesota has the $200,000 Mystic Lake Derby.

And that's not all the action in a fun-filled weekend. Fillies and mares are on display in the Grade I Clement L. Hirsch at Del Mar. Sprinters tackle 6 furlongs on the Saratoga main track in Sunday's Grade I Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap and 2-year-olds get a reality check in the Grade II Best Pal on Sunday at Del Mar.

Saddle up and ride, starting with those exciting 3-year-olds.  Read more at source

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UPI Racing Roundup - Review of last weekend
NYRA - Saratoga

HRTV Past the Grandstand: Mike Smith discusses decision to stay with Royal Delta

Races listed below in time ordered format.  Come back here after the race is run to watch the replay at the same link.

UPDATE/SUNDAY: Friday and Saturday race video replays available at the Cards.  Scroll down to end of blog for results of the Maurice de Gheest at Deauville and video replay (Moonlight Cloud wins 3rd straight!)