June 28-29

Note: This blog is non-commercial and was developed for my own personal use to organize my racing viewing activity.  Your comments as to its usefulness to you would be appreciated.  Thanks!

**************************************

 

ACROSS THE U.S. AND AROUND THE WORLD, GRADE 1 RACING AT ITS BEST!

 

IRISH DERBY FESTIVAL

It's Australia in an easy win in the Irish Derby!


At The Races Irish Derby special section

Entries for the three-day festival

Group 1 Irish Derby:  Unless the ground turns boggy, AUSTRALIA, the Epsom Derby winner, will go on Saturday at the Curragh.  Six likely challengers include KINGSTON HILL, FASCINATING ROCK, GEOFFREY CHAUCER, ORCHESTRA, KINGFISHER, AND PONFEIGH.  Kingston Hill, second to Australia at Epsom appears to be the most serious threat to the Galileo-Ouija Board son.

The O'Briens have been on weather-watch and will not run the star of the show if there is too much give in the ground, but despite plenty of rain being forecast on Thursday night, only five millimetres fell and the ground remained good to firm.   Raising the excitement level is Australia's brilliant parents, Galileo in 2001 and Oaks heroine Ouija Board three years later managed to pull off the English-Irish Derby double, and Australia is a long odds-on shot with the bookmakers to give trainer Aidan O'Brien his 11th win in the Curragh showpiece.  

At The Races offers in-depth analysis and makes some predictions:  ATR Analysis               
Kevin Blake handicaps the Irish Derby - Includes horse profiles

Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes: 

It's Thistle Bird!


Ten fillies and mares remained in the mix on Friday for Sunday's Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh, among them Irish 1,000 Guineas winner MARVELOUS, who subsequently finished sixth in the Epsom Oaks.
 
At The Races offers in-depth analysis and makes some predictions:  ATR Analysis    Kevin Blake handicapping Sunday's Pretty Polly - Includes horse profiles

 JAPAN GRADE 1 TAKARAZUKA KINEN,

JAPAN GRADE 1 TAKARAZUKA KINEN, 11 furlongs, SUNDAY, 2:40 a.m. EDT, US$2.75 million, at Hanshin is chosen primarily by fan ballot. For the first time in seven years, the three top vote-getters will run -- GOLD SHIP, (last year's winner), a 5 year old son of Stay Gold; WIN VARIATION, who has been running in the shadow of Orfevre; and GENTILDONNA, twice winner of the Japan Cup has not raced since winning the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic last March. Other good ones include Meisho Mambo and Denim and Ruby, who a close second to Gentildonna in last fall's Japan Cup. The race is on the right-handed Hanshin turf course, and is also a "Win and You're In" race for the Breeders' Cup Turf.  Interesting fact: 12 horses line up in the gate, and TEN are by sons of the great Sunday Silence!  Preview    BloodHorse: Gold Ship, Gentildonna top Takarazuka Kinen

IT'S GOLD SHIP!!!  (Race call in English)

 

 *******************************************
On the U.S. races below, you can come back and click on the CARD once the race is run to see a replay.

2014 Royal Ascot - Review

 

 

Note: This blog is non-commercial and was developed for my own personal use to organize my racing viewing activity.  Your comments as to its usefulness to you would be appreciated.  Thanks!

**************************************

 

2014 Royal Ascot - Review

Royal Ascot Guide
Royal Ascot news roundup
Link to blog with full cards for 5 days - Each card will show results for all races
More videos at YouTube for 2014 Royal Ascot

DAILY REVIEWS:
DAY ONE - TUESDAY
DAY TWO - WEDNESDAY
     Day 2 - Channel 4
DAY THREE - THURSDAY
DAY FOUR - FRIDAY
DAY FIVE - SATURDAY (to be added when available)

The Queen arrives at Royal Ascot 2014 in blue




A look back in time to Royal Ascot 1964


Preview of the 2014 Royal Ascot major races - Review of prep races for major contenders


 Queen Anne S. G1 (BCS) $637,500, 4+ Str. Crse 1m   CARD - Toronado


*****************************************************
A LOOK BACK:  2013 Gold Cup - Queen's horse, Estimate, wins

The Queen celebrates as her filly wins the Gold Cup of 2013


The Queen in the winner's circle 2013


***************************************************

GOLD CUP 2014 - Leading Light holds off Queen's horse for 2014 Gold Cup
 2014 Gold Cup  G1(BCS), $637,500, 4+,  2m4f  CARD - Leading Light


Prince of Wales´s S. G1 (BCS), $892,500, 4+, 1m2f  CARD - The Fugue


 Coronation S. G1 (BCS), $637,500, 3yo, f (Rnd crse) 1m  CARD - Rizeena


 King´s Stand S. G1, (BCS& GSC), $637,500, 3yo, 5f   CARD   -  Sole Power


St James´s Palace S. G1(BCS) $361,527, 3yo, 1m   CARD - Kingman


Diamond Jubilee S. (BCS& GSC) (G1) 6f   CARD - Slade Power

Royal Ascot June 17-21

Note: This blog is non-commercial and was developed for my own personal use to organize my racing viewing activity.  Your comments as to its usefulness to you would be appreciated.  Thanks!

**************************************

OFFICIAL ROYAL ASCOT GUIDE

Abigail Anderson's latest post highlights many of the stars expected to run in this edition of Royal Ascot:  The Vault: Horse Racing Past & Present - Royal Ascot 2014 - click here

ROYAL ASCOT, JUNE 17-21!  Pomp and Circumstance big time!  Some of the world's best horses will fill the starting gates at Ascot Racecourse beginning this Tuesday, June 21 and run through June 22.  Unlike two years ago when Frankel and Black Caviar overshadowed and dominated the festivities with their wow performances, this year, there are many stars and some knocking on the door to stardom who will bring lots of excitement.

American influences all over Royal Ascot

Even the U.S. will be represented quite well with the likes of Rosalind, trained by Kenny McPeek, and a contingent of two year olds from the barn of Wesley Ward, who is no stranger to the winner's circle at Royal Ascot.

Trainer Wesley Ward has become synonymous with juvenile success at Royal Ascot, having saddled three 2-year-old winners at Britain‘s premier meeting since 2009. In 2009, Ward became the first U.S.-based trainer to saddle a Royal Ascot winner, and he came firing back last year with the brilliant No Nay Never (Scat Daddy), who took the G2 Norfolk S. and went on to add the G1 Prix Morny in France later in the summer. Ward is currently p...reparing a team of six juveniles for the Royal meeting, and has booked jockey Victor Espinoza for his team, which will leave on a direct flight from Indianapolis Thursday morning. [from TDN]    U.S. Trainer Wesley Ward gunning for two year old success at Royal Ascot    Espinoza ready to embark for Royal Ascot

One of the headliners will be the brilliant French filly, Treve, winner of the 2013 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, who is booked to run in the Prince of Wales Stakes on Day Two of the festival. Just announced, the super star will also run in July in the £1 million King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes en route to the defense of her Arc crown.

Others expected to run include last year's Gold Cup winner Estimate, Mukhadram, and The Fugue joined by the usual large contingent from Aidan O'Brien-trained entries including Magician, Ruler Of The World and Leading Light.

Note: HRTV usually covers the Royal Ascot and with the 5 hour time difference, races will get under way around 8:30 a.m. EDT. Subscribers to TwinSpires will also have access to this tremendous event, which runs from Tuesday June 17 through Saturday June 21. Replays of the races will be available shortly after running, and will be posted as they become available. The Queen and members of the Royal Family attend each day. Last year, the Queen became the first monarch ever to claim the Gold Cup with her colt, Estimate.
 

Magician and Verrazano expected to line up in the G1 Queen Anne Stakes.  The other Group 1 on Tuesday is the King's Stand Stakes and market leaders Hot Streak, Shea Shea and Sole Power were among the 23 confirmed for that.

Also on Tuesday, in the Group 2 Coventry Stakes the unbeaten juvenile trio of Cappella Sansevero, Kool Kompany and The Great War are among the entries.

*************************************************
FEATURED RACES

Ann Maree's Time Ordered List of Races - printable file
Royal Ascot - Index to races/cards

Click on Index above which takes you to a summary page for races for all 5 days.  Click on which race you want to review, and you can print out that particular race card or view it online.  Contains free form information, predictions, current odds, etc.  Best site in my opinion.

Better yet, here is a link to TimeForm's free PDF tip sheet for the whole day of racing.  You can only access this a day at a time.  TimeForm daily race tip sheet, entries, prediction 

Each of the CARDS below has detailed info including current odds and a Timeform Verdict or an ATR prediction.

**********************************************************

DAY ONE - TUESDAY

9:30 ET   2:30            Queen Anne S. G1 (BCS) $637,500, 4+ Str. Crse 1m   CARD 
10:05 ET 3:05            Coventry S. G2, $204,000,2yo,  6f     CARD
10:45 ET 3:45            King´s Stand S. G1, (BCS& GSC), $637,500, 3yo, 5f   CARD
11:25 ET 4:25            St James´s Palace S. G1(BCS) $361,527, 3yo, 1m   CARD
12:00 ET 5:00            Ascot S. (H)  $102,000, 4+, 2m4f   CARD
12:35 ET 5:35            Windsor Castle S. (L),$102,000, 2yo, 5f   CARD  Hootenanny!

Results/Replays
Toronado wins Queen Anne - Verrazano great second - Replay
Sole Power scores back to back wins in King's Stand - Replay
St. James Palace Replay - Kingman
Hootenanny gives Ward another Royal Ascot win

More info on today's races
Toronado odds-on favorite for Ascot opener
Perfect 10 in Queen Anne
De Kock chasing Royal Ascot glory with Shea Shea in King's Stand; Soft Falling Rain in Queen Anne
Famous Four back for more in King's Stand
Thunder and Kingman clash on in St. James Palace S
Super Seven in St. James Palace

DAY TWO - WEDNESDAY

9:30 ET   2:30           Jersey S. G3, $127,500,3yo, 7f  CARD
10:05 ET 3:05           Queen Mary S. G2, $170,000 2yo f, 5f  CARD
10:45 ET 3:45           Prince of Wales´s S. G1 (BCS), $892,500, 4+, 1m2f  CARD
11:25 ET 4:25           Duke of Cambridge S. G2, $224,500, 4+ F&M, Str Crse 1m  CARD
12:00 ET 5:00           Royal Hunt Cup (Heritage H)  $297,500, 3+,(Str Course) 1m  CARD
12:35 ET 5:35           Sandringham Handicap (L) $119,000, 3yo f, (Str Crse) 1m CARD

Results/Replays
Shocker! Treve flops! 

More on today's races
Trading Leather remains in Prince of Wales' Stakes
Treve seeks redemption in Prince of Wales
Gosden confirms The Fugue for Prince of Wales' Stakes
Certify set for Cambridge

DAY THREE - THURSDAY

9:30 ET   2:30                Norfolk S. G2, $136,000, 2yo, 5f  CARD
10:05 ET 3:05                Tercentenary S. G3, $127,500,  1m2f   CARD
10:45 ET 3:45                Ribblesdale S. G2, $272,000, 3yo, f, 1m4f  CARD
11:25 ET 4:25                Gold Cup  G1(BCS), $637,500, 4+,  2m4f  CARD
12:00 ET 5:00                Britannia S. H., $204,000, 3yo, c&g, (Str. Crse) 1m  CARD
12:35 ET 5:35                King George V S. (H.), $127,500, 3yo,  1m4f  CARD
 
More on today's races
O'Brien switches The Great War to Norfolk
Estimate looks good for Gold Cup repeat
Estimate faces strong challenge in Gold Cup
Stoute knows it will not be easy in the Gold Cup this year, particularly as Leading Light, the Ballydoyle-trained St Leger winner, is favourite. “I think it is a very tough Gold Cup this year,” Stoute said. “So, it is a tough assignment, but I still think we will run very well.”

DAY FOUR - FRIDAY
9:30 ET   2:30           Albany S. G3, $119,000,  2yo, f, 6f 2y  CARD
10:05 ET 3:05           Wolferton Handicap (L), $119,000, 4+, 1m2f  CARD
10:45 ET 3:45           King Edward VII S. G2, $314,500, 3yo, c&g,  1m4f CARD
11:25 ET 4:25           Coronation S. G1 (BCS), $637,500, 3yo, f (Rnd crse) 1m  CARD
12:00 ET 5:00           Queen´s Vase (Listed Race), 3yo, $144,500, 2m   CARD
13:35 ET 5:35           Buckingham Palace S. (Handicap),$ 170,000, 3+, 7f   CARD
 
More on today's races
Rosalind set for the Coronation Stakes
Veda in Coronation frame

DAY FIVE - SATURDAY

9:30 ET   2:30                Chesham S. (Listed Race) 7f   CARD
10:05 ET 3:05                Duke of Edinburgh S. (H) 1m4f    CARD
10:45 ET 3:45                Hardwicke S. (G2), 4+,  1m4f  CARD
11:25 ET 4:25                Diamond Jubilee S. (BCS & GSC) (G1) 6f   CARD
12:00 ET 5:00                Wokingham S. (Heritage Handicap) 6f  CARD
12:35 ET 5:35                Queen Alexandra S. (Conditions Race) 2m5f159y  CARD
 
BCS = British Champions Series       GSC = Global Spring Challenge

More on today's races
Joshua Tree, Dandino - Hardwicke

*********************
International News
Cirrus des Aigles being watched following Coronation Cup win on Derby day
Racing super star Treve all set for King George after Royal Ascot

June 14-15

Note: This blog is non-commercial and was developed for my own personal use to organize my racing viewing activity.  Your comments as to its usefulness to you would be appreciated.  Thanks!

**************************************

DRF Live Streaming Santa Anita and Shoemaker Mile - click here

Abbreviated blog for weekend.  After races have been run, you can come back and click on the CARD for a replay of the race.


FEATURED RACES

Ann Maree's Time Ordered Entries - printable      (updated version)

Stakes entries index

SATURDAY

2:32 ET  Trillium S  WO   $100k  3+ f/m  1 1/16 mi AW   R4  CARD 
2:53 ET  Astoria  Bel   $100k  2yo f  5.5f   R4     CARD
3:57 ET  Obeah S G3  Del   $150k g 3+ f/m  1 1/8 mi    R7   CARD 
4:39 ET  Bold Ruckus S  WO   $125k  3yo S  6f T   R8   CARD
7:00 ET  Shoemaker Mile G1 BC  SA   $400k  3+  1 mi T   R7  CARD 
7:30 ET  Vanity S G1  SA   $300k  3+ f/m  1 1/8 mi    R8   CARD 
8:00 ET  Isaac Murphy H  AP   $100k  3+ f/m S  6f AW R9   CARD 
8:30 ET  Matt Winn S G3  CD   $100k  3yo  1 1/16 mi   R6  CARD 
9:05 ET  Fleur de Lis H G2  CD   $200k  3+ f/m  1 1/8 mi    R7  CARD 
9:39 ET  Stephen Foster H G1 BC  CD   $500k  3+  1 1/8 mi    R8   CARD 
10:11 ET  Regret S G3  CD   $100k  3yo f  1 1/8 mi T   R9     CARD 

More on today's races
Will Take Charge seeks Foster redemption
Grace Hall continues her comeback in the Vanity

SUNDAY

4:07 ET  Alywow S  WO   $100k  3yo f  6.5f T   R7 CARD 
5:10 ET  Plate Trial S  WO   $150k  3yo R  1 1/8 mi AW   R9  CARD 
5:43 ET  Pegasus S G3  Mth   $150k  3yo  1 1/16 mi    R11  CARD 
5:45 ET  Woodbine Oaks S WO   $500k  3yo f S  1 1/8 mi AW   R10  CARD 

*********************************

June 6-8 - Belmont Stakes

Note: This blog is non-commercial and was developed for my own personal use to organize my racing viewing activity.  Your comments as to its usefulness to you would be appreciated.  Thanks!

**************************************

 

 

 

 

California Chrome hopes to become only
the 12th winner of the Triple Crown

 

The third leg of the Triple Crown is on the line on Saturday, June 7.  This blog post contains only the race lineup and cards for the Friday and Saturday's racing, which includes full race cards for Belmont Stakes Day.  Belmont Stakes day features 6 Grade 1 events, plus other graded stakes and looks to draw a record crowd to Belmont Park. 

 

For details about the Belmont Stakes, Please go to this link for all things Belmont Stakes - click here  This link is to a special blog post covering the Triple Crown run.  Includes a compendium of links for handicapping tools, plus each Belmont Stakes entry is covered in depth with links to workouts, charts and past performances (includes a video of each horse's past races).  This content is updated daily.

 

Jeremy Plonk's COUNTDOWN TO THE CROWN (click here) is a comprehensive source for handicapping information.  Here is this week's edition, and the specifics for handicapping the Belmont start on page 35, however, check the rest of the magazine for more information on other aspects of this big weekend. 

A full listing of NBC's coverage for both Friday and Saturday, including some special programming on Wednesday and Thursday can be found there and also at the bottom of this blog post.
***********************************
UNDERCARD ACTION:  Friday, Twilight Eclipse, at odds of 9-5, Charming Kitten 4-1, meet up with Sky Blazer 8-1, Irish Mission 8-1, Draw Two 6-1 in the Belmont Gold Cup Invitational going 2 miles on the Turf.  One of the few real marathon races being run in the U.S.

Another route race will feature last year's runner up in the Kentucky Derby, Golden Soul, in the Brooklyn Invitational going 1 1/2 miles.

Saturday, Kid Cruz is skipping the Belmont Stakes to go 1 1/16 mile in the Easy Goer Stakes where he is the 5-2 favorite.

Ben's Cat will strut his stuff in the Jaipur Invitational at 6f on the turf and try to make it 4 straight, coming off a 1 3/4 length win in the Jim McKay Stakes at Pimlico 2 weeks ago.

Social Inclusion is skipping the Belmont to cut back to 7f in the Grade 2 Woody Stephens Stakes.

The $750,000 Grade 1 TVG Acorn Stakes will see Fiftyshadesofgold try to make it two in a row.

Almost as big as the Belmont Stakes itself will be the match-up of Close Hatches, Beholder, and Princess of Sylmar in the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps.

Another exciting race on the undercard will be the 1 mile Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap, which will see Palace Malice as the high weight meet up with  Vyjack, Goldencents, Moreno, Normandy Invasion. 

DRF has some previews of each of the Grade 1 undercard races on Belmont Stakes Day.  Matt Bernier of "Horseplayers" fame joins DRF's Dan Illman to try to find some plays.  Belmont Stakes Day undercard - Handicapping videos

***********************************

Below are the cards for the races for Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  After a particular race is run, you can return here, click on the CARD below for a replay of the race.

***********************************

FEATURED RACES

Ann Maree's Time Ordered Races / Entries - printable format
Revised version - only change was to TV scheduling on page 7 (left off Sat. sched.)

BloodHorse Index of Race Entries

FRIDAY
5:25 ET  True North S G2  Bel   $250k  4&up  6f   R9      CARD
6:10 ET  Belmont Gold Cup Inv'l Bel   $200k  4&up  2mi T  R10    CARD

SATURDAY

12:07 ET  Easy Goer S (L)  Bel   $150k  3yo  1 1/16 mi  R2  CARD
12:40 ET  Brooklyn Inv. G2  Bel   $500k  4&up  1 1/2 mi   R3    CARD
1:16 ET  Jaipur Inv. G3  Bel   $300k  4&up  6f T    R4    CARD
1:54 ET  Woody Stephens S G2  Bel   $500k  3yo  7f     R5    CARD
2:34 ET  TVG Acorn S G1  Bel   $750k  3yo f  1 mi    R6    CARD
3:14 ET  Ogden Phipps S G1 BC Bel   $1,000k  4&up f/m  1 1/16 mi  R7  CARD
4:00 ET  Longines Just a Game S G1  Bel   $750k  4&up f/m  1 mi T  R8  CARD
4:48 ET  Metropolitan H G1 BC  Bel   $1,250k  3&up  1 mi     R9    CARD
4:54 ET  Lady Angela S  WO   $125k  3yo f S  7f AW   R8   CARD
5:05 ET  Mint Julep H G3   CD   $100k a 3&up f/m  1 1/16 mi T  R8  CARD
5:45 ET  Knob Creek Manhattan S G1  Bel   $1,000k  4&up  10f T  R10  CARD
6:00 ET  Purple Violet S  AP   $100k  3yo f S  1 mi AW  R9  CARD
6:52 ET  Belmont S G1 Bel   $1,500k  3yo  1 1/2 mi  R11  CARD
7:00 ET  Affirmed S G3  SA   $100k  3yo  1 1/16 mi R9 CARD

More on today's races
Beholder, Close Hatches work for Ogden Phipps
Palace Malice still going strong - Metropolitan Handicap
Hovdey: Giant killers lurking on the Belmont Stakes card

SUNDAY
4:39 ET  Steady Growth S WO   $125k  3&up S  1 1/16 mi AW  R8    CARD
4:45 ET  Campanile S  GG   $100k  3yo f S  1 mi T    R3    CARD
4:57 ET  Intercontinental  Bel   $100k  4&up f/m  7f T    R8    CARD
5:43 ET  Monmouth S G2  Mth   $200k  3&up  1 1/8 mi T   R11    CARD
6:45 ET  Silky Sullivan GG   $100k  3yo S  1 mi T    R7    CARD
7:05 ET  Satin & Lace S (L)  PID   $100k  3+ f/m  5.5f AW   R5  CARD

*************************************************

TV COVERAGE FOR BELMONT STAKES
TRIPLE CROWN ON NBC and on NBCSN:
Note:  All coverage is NBCSN, except for Saturday, when NBC will cover the Belmont Stakes along with a couple of undercard races, 4:30-7:00 p.m. EDT. 

Wednesday, June 4
“California Chrome: The Unlikely Champion” - 6:30p.m. &
10:30p.m.

Thursday, June 5

Belmont Classics: Sarava, Empire Maker & Birdstone - 5:30p.m.
Belmont Classics: Ruler on Ice, Union Rags & Palace Malice -
6:30p.m.
“California Chrome: The Unlikely Champion” - 7:30p.m.

Friday, June 6

“California Chrome: The Unlikely Champion” - 3:30p.m.
Belmont Classics: Sarava, Empire Maker & Birdstone - 4p.m.
Belmont Stakes Access - 5p.m.
“California Chrome: The Unlikely Champion” - 8p.m.
140th Kentucky Derby - 8:30p.m.
139th Preakness S. - 9:30p.m.
Belmont Access (Encore) - 10:30p.m.

Saturday, June 7

“California Chrome: The Unlikely Champion” - 12a.m.
Belmont Prep - 2:30p.m. - Coverage of the full undercard
146th Belmont S. - 4:30-7 p.m. NBC
Belmont Post-Race Show NBCSN- 7p.m.
(all in Eastern Time)

Other ways to watch: 
NBC SPORTS NETWORK - ALL ACCESS

NBC SPORTS HORSE-RACING
**************************************