Some Triple Crown runners return in the Jerome on Sunday

[two gun sid]

Da' Tara, who exploited a field lacking speed to the fullest in winning the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) this spring, could be in a position to do it again in the $150,000 Jerome Handicap (gr. II) at Belmont Park Oct. 5.

Trainer Nick Zito scratched Da' Tara from the Meadowlands Cup (gr. II) in New Jersey on the night of Oct. 3 in favor of the Jerome.

Da' Tara scored a front-running, 5 1/4-length victory in the Belmont June 7 after Triple Crown contender Big Brown pulled up. Since then, Da’ Tara has had two off-the-board finishes, but Zito is gambling that his speed will pay off again in the Jerome, which is for 3-year-olds at a mile. Seven are entered.

Zito has also entered Cool Coal Man, who was third behind Big Brown and stablemate Coal Play in the Haskell Invitational (gr. I) at Monmouth Park on Aug. 3.

http://racing.bloodhorse.com/article/47387.htm

Jerome PP's: http://www.brisnet.com/bris_link/pdfs/barclaytagg_126749.pdf

Tomorrow Pepper's Pride attempts to break Citation and Cigar's consecutive win record at Zia Park in NM. I hope she does it.

[two gun sid]

1. My picks for the Prix L'Arc de Triomphe

1. Zarkava
2. Duke of Marmalade
3. Youmzain

Zarkava is one of the greatest fillies of all time. Really amazing. Catch this race if you can. The Arc hasn't had a filly or mare winner since 1993.

[aaronbees]

7. I like Zarkava to win the Arc this morning

Soldier of Fortune second and ... let's say Kamsin for third. It's on TVG in about 40 minutes. I'm watching the XpressBet feed and wishing I paid more thorough attention in French class. Should be a thrilling race!

Edited to add the PPs: http://www.drf.com/internat/arc/LCH_100508.pdf

[two gun sid]

8. Welcome home and how was the trip?

My feed is not so good and I'm not gonna be able to watch it. My connection keeps resetting. Keep me posted on the race.

[aaronbees]

9. She won! She won! She won!

Overcoming all sorts of boxed in trouble. Wow! Youmzain second I think, third unclear so far.

Yes! She is one for the ages!

(The trip was really magnificent. Makes me really appreciate and savor the days I lived in Portland. We made it down to Cali and saw some Redwoods too.)

[two gun sid]

10. Damn, she's a good one

Did she have to come all the way from the back or did they get her a little closer to the front during the early stages?

[aaronbees]

11. She was marginally closer to the pace...I think...

and had just a few horses beat for much of the race. She steadily picked her way through in the stretch and then just took off as they neared the wire. Really a gritty win, though it was clear she was the class here and ultimately won by a couple lengths. Best horse in the world, I think. And she got a hero's welcome returning to the stands.

[TZ]

2. I kind of feel about Da'Tara the same way

I feel about Birdstone. Don't think I could root for him ever again.Yeah, yeah I know its not really fair or logical, I just feel that way...
I still have a grudge agaisnt a horse named Codex (sp?) becuase I think they kept was it Pleasant Colony from the Triple Crown? Or was it Genuine Risk? Amazing I can remember the spoiler but not who they spoiled...

[two gun sid]

3. Codex and Genuine Risk

I always hated Coastal because of the '79 Belmont. Years later I used to see horses by Spectacular Bid out of Coastal mares or vice versa and I'd smile.

Birdstone was a plodder and Da'Tara is cheap speed. Brave as long as he has the lead but, if you hook him, he folds up like a cheap suit. He's got some talent and stamina but he ain't got no heart.

[Awsi Dooger]

4. I love the spoilers

Their names should be legend:

* Birdstone
* Touch Gold
* Empire Maker
* Summing
* Da'Tara
* Victory Gallup
* Bet Twice

Many more. The only one I regret was Coastal. I rooted for him at the time since the Triple Crown accomplishment was becoming watered down, but looking back 3 decades later and no more Triplers, Bid deserved that status.

Same thing to lesser extent to Sunday Silence, a very versatile horse who reminded me of Affirmed. But Easy Goer was special in his own right.

Most of the winners of the Derby/Preakness recently have been mush. I think I'd be ill every day if names like Smarty Jones and Charismatic and Real Quiet were alongside the true legends.

[TZ]

5. Yeah but most of the spoilers are one hit wonders

and pretty mediocre in their own right..I actually wouldn't call Bet Twice a spoiler really...A truly excellent horse who had an excellent career. And some of those runners up like Smarty Jones. and Charismatic..had they raced again..he could have been a really great horse. I don't think a horse losing the Belmont in the last few strides makes one mush.. And Charismatic came in THIRD on a broken BONE!

[two gun sid]

6. I'm putting up some BC prep race videos on YouTube.

If you need them for your handicapping.

http://www.youtube.com/POniell

Pepper's Pride won her 17th consecutive race today.

[two gun sid]

12. Vineyard Haven romps in Champagne

ELMONT, N.Y. - Bobby Frankel told anyone who would listen how good he thought Vineyard Haven is. It's unlikely there are any doubters remaining.

After putting away a pace challenge from longshot A.P. Cardinal, Vineyard Haven, under Edgar Prado, galloped to a 5 3/4-length victory over a deep field in the Grade 1, $400,000 Champagne Stakes at Belmont Park. Munnings finished second, three-quarters of a length ahead of 3-1 favorite Cribnote.

Vineyard Haven added the Champagne to his victory in last month's Grade 1 Hopeful at Saratoga, putting him squarely atop the 2-year-old colt division. The Champagne was part of the Breeders' Cup's Win and You're In program, meaning Vineyard Haven earned an automatic berth into the $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita on Oct. 25. But Frankel, who is majority owner of Vineyard Haven, is leery of running Vineyard Haven over Santa Anita's Pro-Ride surface - as well as back in three weeks - and said Saturday from Keeneland, "I don't think I'll run."

http://drf.com/news/article/98825.html

[two gun sid]

13. Tale of Ekati wins the Jerome.

[aaronbees]

14. Videos of today's Arc win by Zarkava

TVG/international coverage: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TORC0h3m4LE
En francais: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ys5Al_-A3iQ

Unless Big Brown and Curlin turn in a real corker, this is the race of the year in my book: high drama and a truly great performance.

Zarkava is apparently done for the year. Here's hoping we can see her greatness in '09.

[two gun sid]

15. That slo-mo footage is awesome. She's perfect...

if any of you guys want to see a how a great horse should move, this video is your chance.

I still don't see how Soumillion got her through. Really outstanding performance. And they are calling her 'The Flying Filly' just like the Aga Khan's legendary Mumtaz Mahal. Yep, I hope we get to see more of her next year. She really needs to aim for the BC Turf next year.