G1 METROPOLITAN MILE

I do not see Sahara Sky as a probable for this race...though he just did have a workout last week.

Had hoped to see him this weekend...his works have seemed a little slow, but that just may be his personality - I don't know.

Possible entries include:

Broadway Empire
Capo Bastone
Central Banker
Clearly Now
Declan's Warrior
Goldencents
Moreno
Normandy Invasion
Palace Malice
Shakin It Up

An impressive field. A lot of talent.

Is Palace Malice going to take everything this year?

The G2 New Orleans Handicap (9 furlongs), the G2 Gulfstream Park Handicap (8 furlong), The G3 Westchester (8 furlongs)

G1 OGDEN PHIPPS

50 Shades of Hay
Beholder
Belle Gallantey
Classic Point
Close Hatches
Lunar Surge
Midnight Lucky
My Wandey's Girl
Princess of Sylmar

This could be the race of the day...since anyone of of the big three could take it...or Midnight Lucky...

Here are some souvenirs you can get for California Chrome.

http://allpro2.stores.yahoo.net/cach.html

If you like...

Well, he must be getting close to a start...

He has had a number of sharp workouts at Golden Gate Park.

5/15 5f 1:00.40
5/8 5f 1:00.80
5/3 4f 48.00
4/27 4f 49.60
4/20 3f 35.80
4/15 3f 38.40

Any word TTM?

Well, so far it seems the field for the Belmont Stakes looks like this:

California Chrome
Commanding Curve
Commissioner
Danza
Intense Holiday
Kid Cruz
Ride On Curlin
Samraat
Social Inclusion
Tonalist
Wicked Strong
http://www.horseracingnation.com/blogs/NYState/First_Look_at_the_Belmont_Stakes_Field_123

I think a small field benefits California Chrome and this field is looking biggest and bigger.

I do wonder if Uncle Sigh may enter this race as well. Or perhaps he'll be pointed to the Woody Stephens.

That is where I think Social Inclusion should point.

It will be interesting to see a strong closer like Wicked Strong taking on California Chrome at Belmont Park.

Tonalist finished first and Commissioner second in the G2 Peter Pan.

Wicked Strong has the advantage of having broken his maiden at Belmont Park - with two efforts over the surface.

Intense Holiday also has a race over the surface where he finished 5th in the Champagne Stakes.

Samraat broke his maiden at Belmont Park.

Kid Cruz is based at Belmont Park, but has never raced over the surface.

So, six of the eleven potential challengers have experience over the track. We will see what advantage that gives them.

I think California Chrome's connections are following a wise path in shipping him to Belmont Park soon. Chrome managed to win over Churchill's sandy track despite not liking it.

Belmont Park is known as "The Big Sandy".

However, Los Alamitos is known for having a dry, deep, sandy loam to it as well - so we'll see whether Belmont is more similar to Churchill's surface on Derby day or Los Alamitos'. I think Chrome may actually relish it.

It seems like the NYRA is taking a much more relaxed approach to the nasal strip issue than they did with I'll Have Another two years ago.

I think the NYRA is between a rock and a hard place given that they want to put their product - Belmont Park - up for sale in 2015.

For them to do that - giving away the attendance figures that would come with a Triple Crown being on the line vs. a Triple Crown not being on the line could severely damage their product's attractiveness.

Attendance would likely be at least 30,000 more for a TC possibility vs. a non-TC possibility.

The handle would likely be a lot bigger too.

It seems some have tried to suggest that nasal strips are like performance enhancing drugs. I think such a comparison is misplaced.

This is from one site...
http://voices.yahoo.com/do-breathe-right-nasal-strips-improve-athletic-performance-7442974.html

Do Breathe Right Nasal Strips Improve Athletic Performance?

Some small studies show that wearing Breathe Right nasal strips reduced the amount of recovery time sprinters needed after a sprint, while another study in cyclists showed they increased oxygen consumption during the recovery period after cycling - but these studies have been criticized for being poorly designed. Other studies have shown no benefits of Breathe Right nasal strips for most athletes in terms of greater oxygen consumption or a quicker recovery.

On the positive side, one study showed that wearing Breathe Right nasal strips reduces brain temperature when athletes work out in hot environments, thus giving them some advantage - but this still needs further testing. They may also be helpful for athletes who have chronic allergies or asthma and are forced to exercise outdoors in hot temperatures where they're prone to overheating. Breathe Right nasal strips might also slightly improve athletic performance due to the psychological benefits of believing they work, a sort of placebo effect.

Does Breathe Right Work for Athletes: The Bottom Line?

There's not a lot of good evidence that Breathe Right nasal strips improve athletic performance, but they may give athletes a psychological boost. They may also be helpful to athletes who have chronic allergies or asthma or even athletes who are trying to compete with a cold. The good news? They're harmless, and if it makes an athlete feel good to wear them - so much the better.

References:

Physiology of Exercise: Theory and Application to Fitness and Performance. Powers and Howley. 2009. page 226.

Allbusiness.com. "Manufacturer of Breathe Right Nasal Strips Cautions Athletic Performance Researchers"



Here is another article...
http://www.pponline.co.uk/encyc/nasal-strips-do-breathing-techniques-improve-performance-111

It seems that the strips offer a psychological boost - and for a horse - this means no advantage at all...since its unlikely the horse is going to feel less confident without them - except to the extent that the horse would feel uncomfortable if he had another piece of equipment used that the regularly won with...

On the equine end - while Breathe Right has cautioned against buying into the improved performance for athletes by the use of nasal strips...Flair which sells equine nasal strips suggests that there is a benefit to performance...

http://www.thehorse.com/articles/11310/humans-and-horses-sport-nasal-strips-in-sydney
http://www.horsetackreview.com/article-display/472.html
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/for-these-olympic-athletes-breathing-easy-isnt-horseplay-72995397.html

And here is an article on the NYRA ban on I'll Have Another using equine nasal strips.
http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/Jun/04/new-york-racing-thumbs-nose-ill-have-another/

I would hope before a ban was issued that the NYRA vigorously studied the issue...and if so - then their report, findings and ban on nasal strips should stand in the absence of contradictory evidence. An agency should not issue bans on any substance or material without evidence to support its action. Otherwise, it diminishes its credibility.

Well, the Derby is over and now its on the the Preakness Stakes.

Already, folks are asking the inevitable question - can California Chrome get the Triple Crown?

My thinking is, if any horse in the field can, why not the horse who everyone has judged to be the best three year old horse running?

He got the Kentucky Derby, and Victor Espinosa indicated that he was geared down in the stretch and never truly opened up in the Kentucky Derby.

The connections are being very careful in not shipping him back and fourth taking the same precautions that the connections of I'll Have Another took two years ago in avoiding the stress of multiple plane rides.

And some have been suggesting that on CC's dam side there is more stamina than originally thought.

This said, my feeling is let's take one race at a time. If he does not win the Preakness Stakes, his stamina for the Belmont Stakes is irrelevant.

There will be some good horses coming back in the Preakness and new entries....

Let's look at the potential field to face California Chrome:

Derby Contenders:
Commanding Curve
Danza
Ride On Curlin
Samraat

New entries:
Bayern
Dynamic Sky
Hoppertunity
Kid Cruz
Midnight Hawk
Pablo Del Monte
Ring Weekend
Social Inclusion
Strong Mandate

Not an option:
Untapable (but who know - it was not an option for Dance With Fate either)

Yes!

http://www.drf.com/news/breeders-cup-eliminates-bc-marathon

It was a shame to learn this week that the BC Marathon was eliminated from the Breeders Cup.

Some are glad about this development, but I was not because American racing has long been criticized for its focus on speed and short distance prowess.

The Breeders Cup Marathon was an effort to buck this attitude and demonstrate that the premier championship event would reward distance horses.

For me, I agree with those who have suggested that the Marathon is the other end of the spectrum of the Dirt Mile - the difference is that we have a lot of races (G1 or otherwise) between 6 and 9 furlongs than we do at 12 or more furlongs so of course you do not see horses running in the marathon with stellar records - because if they had the stellar records they would be running in the Breeders Cup Classic, just as if the milers were good enough they would be running in the BC Spring or the BC Classic, and not the BC Dirt Mile.

Now, should the BC Marathon be a G1 race? No. Absolutely not. However, it should definitely be continued because it is just as relevant as a the Dirt and Turf Mile.

I do not think the competition has been that bad for this race.

Last year, London Bridge won - but multiple graded stakes placed horse Blueskiesnrainbows finished 2nd...and other graded stakes winners were in the field including the G1 winning (multiple graded stakes winner) Pool Play, graded stakes winner Old Time Hockey, and graded stakes placed horses like Worldly. 

The previous year, Atigun, a third place finisher in the Belmont Stakes, which race is regarded as among the top three year old contests finished third. Grassy is a multiple graded stakes placed horse with a graded stakes win. Juniper Pass is a multiple graded stakes winning horse. Balladry is a multiple graded stakes placed horse. Eldafer we know about. Romp is graded stakes placed.

In 2011, Afleet Again, a multiple graded stakes winning horse, won. Birdrun is a multiple graded stakes placed horse. Giant Oak is a multiple G1 winning horse. Cease is a multiple graded stakes placed horse. Baryshnikov was a multiple grade stakes placed horse. A.U. Miner and Pleasant Prince were multiple stakes winning horses. Gabrielle's Hill as was another multiple graded stakes placed horse. This horse finish second in the BC Marathon to Eldafer and 2nd to Greenwood Cup winner Alcomo in the Brooklyn Handicap. Was Gabrielle's Hill an unworthy horse to be in the gate in the BC Marathon? Was Golden Soul in last year's Derby?

Awesome Gem has been lauded by some as perhaps the top horse ever to run in the event. However, as much as I am a fan of Awesome Gem, Giant Oak has multiple G1 victories, while Awesome Gem has only one G1 and several lesser graded stakes. Prince Will I Am was also multiple graded stakes winner. Atoned was multiple graded stakes placed...

And I could go on.

And these horses that enter some of them may not prep with distance races simply because, as some have noted, more stakes distance races were not carded in response to the creation of the BC Marathon as initially thought. That said, most of the BC Marathon entries in recent years have run long in preps for the Marathon - so their entry is not as much of a lark as one might try and suggest.

There are other G2 BC races, so why not allow the race to continue as a G2 event? I

s there anyone who suggests that the fields for the race have not been G2 worthy? I think they have.

The bottom line for me is that these types of races often include or seem to be created for geldings like Evening Attire who love going long. Unfortunately, the marathon was created and Evening Attire never got to contest it, but I am confident, if healthy, he could have won it, and few can argue he would not have been a worthy champion.

By eliminating the BC Marathon, make it a G3 race if necessary, I think the sport of American horse racing has been diminished. We hurt the sport because a disincentive is created for tracks to run the G2 Brooklyn Handicap at Belmont Park or the G2 Mac Diarmida at Gulfstream Park and the G3 Greenwood Cup at Philadelphia Park where I was able to witness Evening Attire turn in his final race at 12 furlongs where he set the track record on a day when people were saying he did not run well in heat. It was magical and the excitement was palpable and intense during the entire race.

Its Derby week - the most exciting time of the year and The Tin Man is the only one I have seen posting.



Let's ride...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60DEkzABqZk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f35Aund2ieI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUOdsqy4dK4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTfUbpA-vIQ

Red Cadeaux - third place finisher in the 2013 version - arrives to contest the 2014 installment
http://betracingnation.com/red-cadeaux-arrives-tenno-sho-bid-japan/

http://www1.skysports.com/horse-racing/news/12040/9278798/red-cadeaux-arrives-in-japan-ahead-of-the-tenno-sho-at-kyoto

Here is last year's version...where Fenomeno won it...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amFTTuE04FA

And the results...
http://www.horseracingnation.com/race/2013_Tenno_Sho_Spring

No way to eliminate spoiler alert...but what a 10 furlong race...

Here is the field - sorry I don't have the numbers...

Vercingetorix
Sanshaawes
Variety Club
Military Attack
Akeed Mofeed,
Dominant
Designs On Rome
Dibayani
Epiphaneia
Uncoiled

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpzhNeaMoEE

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/84637/designs-on-rome-captures-hong-kong-thriller

Race 8 - Derby Trial S. (Grade III)

Purse $150,000. For Three Year Olds. By subscription of $150 each, which should accompany the nomination or by Supplementary Nomination of $4,500 at time of entry. $750 to pass the entry box; $750 additional to start, with $150,000 added. After payment of 1% to all owners of horses finishing sixth through last, 62% of the remaining purse shall be paid to the owner of the winner, 20% to second, 10% to third, 5% to fourth and 3% to fifth. Weight: 123 Lbs. Non-winners of a graded stakes at a mile or over in 2014, allowed 3 Lbs.; a graded stakes, 5 Lbs. The maximum number of starters for the Derby Trial will be limited to fourteen (14). If more than fourteen (14) entries pass the entry box preference will be given to graded stakes winners (in order I-II-III), then highest career earnings. Any horse excluded from running because of the aforementioned preference shall be refunded the entry fee and supplementary nomination fee if applicable. Starters to be named through the entry box at the usual time of closing. All supplementary nominations will be required to pay entry and starting fees if they participate. Trophy to winning owner. Closed Wednesday, April 9, 2014 with 58 nominations. One Mile.

P#   PP   Horse   Virtual
Stable   A/S   Med   Jockey   Wgt   Trainer   M/L
1   1   Bayern (KY)             3/C        L        R Napravnik      118   B Baffert            2/1
2   2   Chitu (KY)                     3/C        L        J Rosario            123   B Baffert            2/1
3   3   Big Sugar Soda (KY)          3/C        L        R Santana, Jr.    118   S M Asmussen 15/1
4   4   Friendswith K Mill (KY)     3/C        L        K J Desormeaux    118   D F O'Neill            5/1
5   5   Matador (ON)              3/C        L        J R Leparoux    118   M E Casse    9/2
6   6   Embellishing Bob (KY)   3/C        L        B J Hernandez, Jr.118   S Margolis    8/1
7   7   Laddie Boy (KY)      3/C        L        S Elliott            118   C Peery           20/1
8   8   Bitters 'n Bourbon (FL)   3/C        L        C J Lanerie            118   R Moquett   30/1
9   9   Spot (KY)                      3/G        L        J R Velazquez    120   N P Zito             4/1
10   10   Myositis Dan (KY)      3/C        L        J Rocco, Jr.            118   T F Proctor     5/1

Owners: 1 - Kaleem Shah, Inc. (Kaleem Shah); 2 - Tanma Corporation (Susan Chu); 3 - J. Kirk and Judy Robison; 4 - Neil Haynes, Dave Kenney and Wonderland Racing Stables (Lisa Fedick); 5 - John C. Oxley; 6 - Martin L. Cherry; 7 - Kevin Jacobsen; 8 - Robert Land and Becky Brockway; 9 - Joseph H. Moss; 10 - Brereton C. Jones

Breeders: 1 - Helen Alexander; 2 - Tom Evans, Macon Wilmil Equines &Marjac Farms; 3 - Bellevue Farm; 4 - Kathy Herbener & Heather Herbener Ford; 5 - Windhaven Farms Limited; 6 - Martin Cherry; 7 - Frederick J. McEwan; 8 - Farm III Enterprises LLC & Off TheHook Partners LLC; 9 - Curtis C. Green; 10 - Brereton C. Jones

Equipment Changes: 1 - Bayern - Blinkers On;7 - Laddie Boy - Blinkers off

Here is Japan's Equivalent of Ireland's 2,000 Guineas for three year old colts...

Not sure if this is the race or a work...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3qle31TSsQ

Spoiler Alert
http://www.horseracingnation.com/race/2014_Satsuki_Sho_2_000_Guineas

http://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/intraday_single.cfm?type=results&alertID=8347

Very, very sad.
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/84471/reddams-bond-holder-succumbs-to-laminitis

http://www.drf.com/news/bond-holder-loses-battle-laminitis

http://www.paulickreport.com/news/thoroughbred-racing/grade-1-winner-bond-holder-loses-battle-with-laminitis/

This should be a points race.

Race 9 - Illinois Derby (Grade III)

Purse $500,000. For Three-Year-Olds. By subscription of $100 each Early Bird nomination made by Friday, February 14, 2014 or $500 each, which shall accompany the nomination made by Saturday, April 5, 2014. A Supplementary nomination of $10,000 may be made on Wednesday, April 16, 2014 which includes entry and starting fees. Original nominees to pay $2,500 to pass the entry box and $2,500 additional to start. All fees to be paid to the Horsemen's Bookkeeper prior to the start of the race. The entry and starting fees for the 2014 Illinois Derby will be refunded for any horse that has previously finished 1st, 2nd or 3rd in any Grade/Group I, II or III race and is an official starter in the 2014 Illinois Derby. $500,000 guaranteed with 60 percent to the winning owner, 20 percent to second, 11 percent to third, 6 percent to fourth and 3 percent to fifth. Weights: Colts and Geldings, 122 Lbs.; Fillies, 117 Lbs. Starters to be named through the entry box by the usual time of closing. Early Closing, Friday, February 14, 2014 with 112 ($100 Fee). Late Closing, Saturday, April 5, 2014 with 11 ($500 Fee). 1 Supplementary - Time of Entry, Wednesday, April 16, 2014. A trophy will be presented to the winning owner. One And One Eighth Miles.
P#   PP   Horse   Virtual
Stable   A/S   Med   Jockey   Wgt   Trainer   M/L
1   1   Dynamic Impact (KY)   3/C   L   M Mena           122   M E Casse           6/1
2   2   A Step Ahead (IL)      3/C   L   C A Emigh           122   C M Block                 20/1
3   3   Midnight Hawk (KY)      3/C   L   M Garcia           122   B Baffert                   4/5
4   4   Irish You Well (KY)      3/C   L   C Hill                   122   W M Catalano         20/1
5   5   King Cyrus (KY)      3/C   L   R Napravnik   122   T A Pletcher           8/1
6   6   Emmett Park (KY)      3/G   L   L A Wydick   122   R J Pincins              20/1
7   7   Global Strike (KY)      3/C   L   T Thornton   122   T A Pletcher            15/1
8   8   Class Leader (KY)      3/C   L   J Graham           122   N J Howard           5/1

Owners: 1 - John C. Oxley; 2 - Virginia H. Tarra Trust (Virginia H. Tarra); 3 - Hill 'n' Dale Equine Holdings, Inc. (J. G. Sikura), Kitchen, Pegram, et al; 4 - Donegal Racing (Jerry Crawford); 5 - WinStar Farm, LLC (Kenny Troutt); 6 - Gore Range Stable (Richard Emmett & Rudy F. Vogt); 7 - Stonestreet Stables LLC (Barbara Banke); 8 - Lane's End Racing (W. S. Farish)

Breeders: 1 - Blue Heaven Farm, LLC; 2 - Virginia H. Tarra Trust; 3 - Michael E. Pegram; 4 - Dell Hancock & Bernie Sams; 5 - Robert Muir, Des Scott & Sam Klein; 6 - Universal Thoroughbred Services, LLC.; 7 - Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC; 8 - W. S. Farish

Equipment Changes: 5 - King Cyrus - Blinkers On

I'll be cheering for King Cyrus and favorite Midnight Hawk because I would like to see them both in the Preakness and Global Strike because I saw him win at Gulfstream Park and he looked like a nice horse.

Race 9 - Coolmore Lexington S. (Grade III)

Purse $200,000. For Three Year Olds. One And One Sixteenth Miles. (All Weather Track)
P#   PP   Horse   Virtual
Stable   A/S   Med   Jockey   Wgt   Trainer   M/L
1   1   Mr Speaker (KY)      3/C   L   J Lezcano   120   C R McGaughey III     5/2
2   2   Solitary Ranger (KY)      3/C   L   F Geroux   120   W M Catalano             6/1
3   3   Dynamic Impact (KY)   3/C   L   A Garcia   118   M E Casse           10/1
4   4   Poker Player (KY)      3/C   L   S Elliott   120   W M Catalano           10/1
5   5   Z Lucky (KY)              3/C   L   J K Court   118   D W Lukas           20/1
6   6   Divine Oath (KY)      3/C   L   J Castellano   118   T A Pletcher     3/1
7   7   Ami's Holiday (ON)      3/C   L   R Albarado   120   J Carroll           10/1
8   8   Ride Away (KY)              3/C   L   J R Leparoux   118   H G Motion   12/1
9   9   Morning Calm (NY)      3/C   L   J Rocco, Jr.   118   M Nihei           20/1
10   10   Supermonic (PA)      3/C   L   J Rosario   118   T A Pletcher             8/1
11   11   Global Strike (KY)      3/C   L   I Ortiz, Jr.   118   T A Pletcher           15/1

Owners: 1 - Phipps Stable (O. M. Phipps, et al.); 2 - Susan Moulton; 3 - John C. Oxley; 4 - Gary and Mary West; 5 - Zayat Stables, LLC (Ahmed Zayat); 6 - Let's Go Stable (Kevin Scatuorchio and Bryan Sullivan); 7 - Ivan Dalos; 8 - Pin Oak Stable, LLC (Josephine Abercrombie); 9 - Great Hill Stables (Chin-a Yi); 10 - Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners (Aron Wellman); 11 - Stonestreet Stables, LLC (Barbara Banke)

Breeders: 1 - Phipps Stable; 2 - Richard Forbush & U S Ranger Syndicate; 3 - Blue Heaven Farm, LLC; 4 - Nicholas M. Lotz, Rosemary K. Lotz &Harlan's Holiday Syndicate; 5 - Zayat Stables; 6 - Sanford R. Robertson; 7 - Tall Oaks Farm; 8 - Pin Oak Stud, LLC; 9 - Gallagher's Stud; 10 - Highclere Inc. & Springtown Show Stable; 11 - Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC

Equipment Changes: 4 - Poker Player - Blinkers off

I think you all know where my heart lies with this one...Mr. Speaker all the way. Glad he is going off as the favorite since it seems Divine Oath has been getting most of the attention recently.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=of3xstBzamw

SPOILER ALERT
http://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2014/04/16/UPI-Horse-Racing-Roundup/4701397442932/?spt=rln&or=1
Japan

Harp Star rolled from the back of the big field to win Sunday's Group 1 Oka Sho, or Japanese 1,000 Guineas, at Hanshin Racecourse by a neck over Red Reveur. Nuovo Record was third. Harp Star, a Deep Impact filly, ran 1,600 meters in stakes-record time of 1:33.3. "It's as if she knew this was a big, Grade I race," said winning rider Yuga Kawada, "because she gave it her best." Harp Star finished second to Red Reveur in the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies last December. The third finisher in that race, Forevermore, checked in eighth in Sunday's running.

Read more: http://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2014/04/16/UPI-Horse-Racing-Roundup/4701397442932/#ixzz2z3iDKuKP

Purse $300,000. For Three Year Olds. No nomination fee. $1,500 to pass the entry box and an additional$1,500 to start. A supplemental nomination fee of $6,000 in addition to the entry and starting fees may be made at any time prior to the closing of entries. The purse to be divided 60% to the winner, 20% to second, 10% to third, 5% to fourth, 3% to fifth and 2% divided equally among the remaining finishers. 123 Lbs. Non-winners of a graded sweepstake in 2014 or $100,000 allowed 3 Lbs.; $60,000 other than resticted stakeor two races in 2014, 5 Lbs.; $40,000; or three races other than maiden or claiming, 7 Lbs. A trophy will be presented to the winning owner. Closed Saturday, March 22, 2014 with 35 Nominations. Seven Furlongs.
P#   PP   Horse   Virtual
Stable   A/S   Med   Jockey   Wgt   Trainer   M/L
1   1   Charleymillionaire (NJ)   3/C   L   I Ortiz, Jr.   116   G D Sacco    30/1
2   2   Oliver Zip (KY)              3/C   L   R Maragh   120   K J Breen    10/1
3   3   Financial Mogul (KY)      3/C   L   J L Ortiz   116   R A Violette, Jr.    8/1
4   4   Coup de Grace (KY)      3/C   L   J Castellano   116   C C Brown   4/1
5   5   Loki's Vengeance (NY)   3/C   L   M Franco   116   M E Hushion   15/1
6   6   Favorite Tale (PA)      3/G   L   J L Flores   120   G Preciado   5/1
7   7   The Admiral (KY)      3/C   L   M Garcia   116   B Baffert   3/1
8   8   Kobe's Back (KY)      3/C   L   C S Nakatani   123   J W Sadler   2/1

Purse $500,000. A Handicap For Three Year Olds And Upward. No nomination fee. $2,500 to pass the entry box and an additional $2,500 to start. A supplemental nomination fee of $10,000 in addition to the entry and starting fees may be made at any time prior to the publication of weights. The purse to be divided 60% to the winner, 20% to second, 10% to third, 5% to fourth, 3% to fifth and 2% divided equally among the remaining finishers. Trophies will be presented to the winning owner, trainer and jockey. Closed Saturday, March 22, 2014 with 30 Nominations. Seven Furlongs.

P#   PP   Horse   Virtual
Stable   A/S   Med   Jockey   Wgt   Trainer   M/L
1   1   Central Banker (KY)      4/C   L   J R Velazquez     117   A M Stall, Jr.   5/1
2   2   Clearly Now (KY)      4/C   L   J L Ortiz             117   B A Lynch           5/1
3   3   Golden Ticket (KY)      5/H   L   J Castellano     118   K G McPeek   3/1
4   4   Dads Caps (KY)      4/C   L   L Contreras     114   R R Rodriguez   12/1
5   5   Strapping Groom (KY)   7/H   L   I Ortiz, Jr.             120   D Jacobson   4/1
6   6   Sahara Sky (FL)      6/H   L   C S Nakatani     122   J Hollendorfer   2/1
7   7   Saturday's Charm (KY)   5/H   L   M Franco             112   S M Asmussen   20/1

I'll have to go with another favorite. Boring.

Here are the free PPs for the Saturday races at Dubai...

http://www.equibase.com/special/dubai14.pdf

I'll be cheering for Ron The Greek, Cat o' Mountain (how can you not like a Thunder Kitten baby), Red Cadeaux and Ruler of the World in the DWC. Have I left any out?

In the Dubai Sheema - Dunaden, Gentildonna and Magician...

In the Dubai Duty Free - Dank, the Fugue and Mishawish...

In the Golden Shaheen - Krypton Factor, Complicate and Bello...

In the Sprint Catcall, Shea Shea, and Berlino di Tiger...

In the UAE Derby - is there anyone else besides Giovanni Boldini - I'll also take Jallotta and Sir Jack Layden

In the Dubai Gold Cup - Joshua Tree, Dubadiyan, and Ernest Hemingway...

In the Goldolphin Mile - Shuruq, Elleval and Flotilla...