Sports Horse Racing

Claiborne Farms Blame found running room at the eighth pole for a 1 -length win in Thursdays featured $50,397 Moon Over Prospect Purse for 3-year-olds at Churchill Downs.

Blame, a 3-year-old Kentucky-bred son of Arch ridden by Jamie Theriot, covered the mile on a fast main track in 1:36.41 to beat out Blackberry Road.

The victory, the second in four starts for Blame, was worth $30,580 and increased his earnings to $69,025.

Blame, trained by Al Stall Jr., returned $9.20, $5.60 and $4. Blackberry Road returned $11.60 and $8.20 with Forest Warfare paid $5.80 to show in the field of 10.

Saturdays $750,000 United Nations Stakes came up looking like a Grade 1 turf race should, with a solid mix of old and young performers in the field of nine, including Patricia Generazios Presious Passion, who will be out to duplicate his 2008 score in the mile and three-eighths event.
Only this time, victory wont come as a surprise for the 6-year-old son of Royal Anthem, and you definitely wont get 13-1 at the windows. Presious Passion turned in a powerful prep for the 56th running of the U.N. by winning the Monmouth Stakes here on June 13, regaining the lead in deep stretch after he looked beaten, and that race should set him up for a repeat. That race set him up right for this, and Im happy with him, said trainer Mary Hartmann. Hes coming up to the race the right way. Presious Passion, who was a problem child at 4, has turned into a professional racehorse at 5 and 6, and comes into this running of the United Nations as a multiple graded stakes winner with more than $1.2 million in career earnings. He acted like a wild kid at 4, Hartmann said. It wasnt until he turned 5 that he learned to relax and stopped doing stupid things all the time. Last year was the geldings best season yet, with victories in the Grade 1 United Nations, Grade 2 W.L. McKnight and Grade 3 Pan American.

This year, hes won the Grade 2 Mac Diarmida and the Monmouth Stakes and comes into the U.N. ready to roll. I dont breeze him between races, Hartmann said, because he gallops so aggressively every day. And it seems like it takes most of the day when we bring him out. Ive tried to keep him relaxed and happy between races, the trainer said. He goes out after the last break when theres no traffic on the track and he can be relaxed. He stands out there for a half-hour, and then he backs up to the quarter-pole and stands for another 15 minutes, and then he gallops two miles. It keeps him happy. There will be some new shooters gunning for Presious Passion in this edition of the U.N., including the 4-year-olds Court Vision and Wesley. There will also be some old challengers like Better Talk Now, the 2005 U.N. winner who tries again at age 10.

KISS THE KID GOES TURF-TO-DIRT IN SALVATOR MILE SATURDAY

Hardacre Farms Kiss the Kid, who tried Presious Passion in the Monmouth Stakes on turf last out, will go for his first graded stakes victory on the main track in Saturdays $250,000 Salvator Mile (G3). The 6-year-old son of Lemon Drop Kid has won two Grade 3 events on the grass (Cliff Hanger at the Meadowlands and Appleton at Gulfstream), and owner-trainer Amy Tarrant thinks the Salvator Mile is a good spot for Kiss the Kid to pass the versatility test. I thought I should give him a chance in here because we have the home field advantage, Tarrant said. He trains over this track every day, and hes already won on the dirt here. If ever I was going to try him in a graded stakes on dirt, this is the place to take a shot, she said. Kiss the Kid won a mile and a sixteenth allowance event here in 2006, and took an off-the-turf allowance on a muddy track in 2007. Last year, Tarrant sent him out in the Grade 1 Donn Handicap at Gulfstream on the main track, and Kiss the Kid finished a game third behind Spring at Last and A.P. Arrow. Hes run well enough on the main track here to deserve a chance, Tarrant said. I think he can get a piece of it.

T-SHIRT GIVEAWAY SATURDAY TOPS HOLIDAY WEEKEND ACTIVITIES

Monmouth Park will celebrate the Fourth of July holiday weekend with three days of activities for the entire family. Friday, Saturday and Sunday all will be Family Fun Days, with free pony rides, face painters, clowns, and bounce houses each day from 12 to 4 p.m. Live music will be provided on Saturday by the Cats on a Smooth Surface band, and on Sunday by The Kootz. A Monmouth Park T-shirt giveaway highlights Saturday, July 4, with all paid admissions receiving a distinctive Jersey Shore shirt.

A special jockey autograph signing and memorabilia sale, plus several raffles, will be featured on Saturday and Sunday, with proceeds benefitting the Don MacBeth Memorial Jockey Fund.

Prizes to be raffled off include restaurant gift certificates, Stars of the Turf prints by renowned racing artist PEB, and an afternoon in the booth with Monmouth announcer Larry Collmus.

Saturdays $750,000 United Nations Stakes at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N J, came up looking like a Grade I turf race should, with a solid mix of old and young performers in the field of nine, including Presious Passion, who will be out to duplicate his 2008 score in the mile and three-eighths event.

Only this time, victory wont come as a surprise for the six-year-old son of Royal Anthem, and you definitely wont get 13-1 at the windows. Presious Passion turned in a powerful prep for the 56th running of the U.N. by winning the Monmouth Stakes on June 13, regaining the lead in deep stretch after he looked beaten.

That race set him up right for this, and Im happy with him, said Presious Passions trainer, Mary Hartmann. Hes coming up to the race the right way.

Presious Passion, who was slow to come around at age four, has turned into a professional racehorse at five and six, and comes into this running of the United Nations as a multiple graded stakes winner with more than $1.2 million in career earnings.

He acted like a wild kid at four, Hartmann said. It wasnt until he turned five that he learned to relax and stopped doing stupid things all the time.

Last year was the geldings best season yet, with victories in the Grade I United Nations, Grade II W.L. McKnight and Grade III Pan American. This year, hes won the Grade II Mac Diarmida and the Monmouth Stakes and comes into the U.N. ready to roll.

I dont breeze him between races, Hartmann said, because he gallops so aggressively every day. And it seems like it takes most of the day when we bring him out.

Ive tried to keep him relaxed and happy between races, the trainer said. He goes out after the last break when theres no traffic on the track and he can be relaxed. He stands out there for a half-hour, and then he backs up to the quarter-pole and stands for another 15 minutes, and then he gallops two miles. It keeps him happy.

There will be some new shooters gunning for Presious Passion in this edition of the U.N., including the 4-year-olds Court Vision and Wesley. There will also be some venerable challengers like Better Talk Now, the 2005 U.N. winner who tries again this year at age 10 after running a solid third in the Grade I Manhattan Handicap on Belmont Stakes Day at Belmont; and eight-year-old Brass Hat who captured the Louisville Handicap at Churchill Downs last time out.

As a Breeders Cup Challenge Win and Youre In race, the United Nations offersng a berth in the November 7 $3 million Breeders Cup Turf at Oak Tree at Santa Anita to the winner.

SEVEN INVADERS ARRIVE FOR SUNDAYS AMERICAN OAKS AT HOLLYWOOD PARK

New Zealand trainer Wayne Hillis is a man of his word. When I was here with Boulevard of Dreams five years ago, I told Marty after the race that I would be back, Hillis said Wednesday from Hollywood Park.

Boulevard of Dreams finished seventh behind winner Ticker Tape in the 2004 American Oaks but Hillis has higher hopes for Puttanesca in the $700,000, Grade I test at 1 miles on turf Sunday.

A New Zealand-bred filly who cleared quarantine Wednesday morning after being flown here Monday, Puttanesca was one of seven out-of-state fillies invited by racing secretary Martin Panza to have settled into their stalls at the Inglewood, Calif., racetrack. Seven California-based invitees double the field size to 14.

Puttanesca won the Group II New Zealand Bloodstock Royal Stakes in January at the American Oaks distance of ten furlongs. The chestnut, the only 4-year-old in the lineup because of her Southern Hemisphere foaling, has recorded two firsts, three seconds and two thirds in 11 starts.

Hillis has given a call to jockey Glen Boss to ride the filly for the first time. Hes a leading rider from Australia, has won the Melbourne Cup two or three times, and has ridden internationally in Hong Kong and England, said Hillis of the veteran.

Puttanesca has been joined in the Hollywood isolation barn by Apple Charlotte from England and Rare Ransom from Ireland.

Apple Charlotte, an English-bred victorious in three of four starts in England, worked an easy seven furlongs on Cushion Track in 1:27.80 under exercise rider John McCauley. Mike Smith will have the riding assignment.

Meanwhile Jeff Byrne, assistant to trainer Dermot Weld, hopes that Rare Ransom can follow in the footsteps of Dimitrova, who won this race for Weld in 2003.

Shes very sound and has a lovely constitution, said Byrne after galloping the filly one mile on the main track. Shes a very straight-forward horse.

Rare Ransom has won two of seven starts in Ireland and finished fourth in the Group I Irish 1000 Guineas at The Curragh in her last start May 24 for owner Lady OReilly. Weld is expected to arrive later Wednesday.

The three foreign arrivals were joined in the stable area by four Eastern invitees: Gozzip Girl from New York, The Best Day Ever from Kentucky, Magical Affair from Maryland and Afternoon Stroll from Pennsylvania who were flown West on Monday.

The seven shippers will be joined by seven local horses in the eighth running of the American Oaks. The probable lineup: Apple Charlotte (jockey: Mike Smith), Rare Ransom (Patrick Smullen), Puttanesca (Glen Boss), Gozzip Girl (Kent Desormeaux), Magical Affair (Julien Leparoux), The Best Day Ever (Corey Lanerie), Afternoon Stroll (Joseph Talamo), Well Monied (Joel Rosario), Mrs Kipling (David Flores), Acting Lady (Rafael Bejarano), Third Dawn (Garrett Gomez), Lexlenos (Alex Solis), Nan (Corey Nakatani) and Pretty Unusual (Tyler Baze).

FLEET FIELD OF NINE ASSEMBLED FOR GRADE I PRIORESS AT BELMONT

The only Grade I six-furlong sprint for 3-year-old fillies in the United States, the $300,000 Prioress at Belmont Park has long been a showcase for some of the fastest fillies on the planet, from Ta Wee in 1969 to Safely Kept in 1989, Xtra Heat in 2001 to Indian Blessing in 2008.

The 62nd edition, part of a trio of graded stakes to be run on Saturday, July 4, including the Grade II, $400,000 Suburban Handicap and the Grade II, $200,000 Dwyer, shows why it deserves its Grade I status, having attracted a field of nine outstanding fillies headed by Grade I Acorn Stakes winner Gabbys Golden Gal.

Trained by Bob Baffert, who won last years edition with Indian Blessing, Gabbys Golden Gal will be turning back from the flat mile of the Acorn, in which she blazed wire to wire in 1:34.79.

I think shes going into the race just as good as she did for the Acorn, said Tonja Terranova, who oversees Bafferts New York-based horses. Her last two breezes have been in hand.

In six starts, Gabbys Golden Gal has registered three wins, one second and one third, with her only off-the-board performance coming behind Rachel Alexandra in the Grade I Kentucky Oaks, in which she led for six furlongs before giving way.

Shes very fast, added Terranova. Bob has always had a lot of confidence in her.

Heart Ashley brings a three-race winning streak into the Prioress, comprised of back-to-back Grade III wins in the Cicada at Aqueduct Racetrack on March 14 and the Miss Preakness at Pimlico on May 15. The daughter of Lion Heart, trained by Steve Asmussen, has been first or second in each of her six lifetime starts.

This is the race shes been pointed towards for a long time, Asmussen. Shes a very fast filly. In a Grade I sprint on dirt for three-year-old fillies, everyone is going to show up.

That includes On the Menu, who handed Heart Ashley her worst defeat by 7 lengths in an allowance at the Fair Grounds.

The Prioress is going to deserve its Grade I status here, said On the Menus trainer, Larry Jones, who won the Prioress in 2006 with Wildcat Bettie B. This filly has been doing very well, and weve always been high on her. One of the reasons was she ran so well against Heart Ashley, whos a very nice filly.

EMIRATES AIRLINE SUMMER RACING PRESENTED BY THE NTRA TO BEGIN JULY 25

The broadcast schedule for Emirates Airline Summer Racing Presented by the NTRA has been set with the kickoff telecast slated for Saturday, July 25. The series, to air on the ESPN networks, will provide comprehensive, live coverage of Grade I summer racing fixtures from three of Americas most loved racing venues.

Beginning with the Grade I, $350,000 Eddie Read Stakes on the turf from Del Mar (July 25, ESPN2, 8:00-9:00 p.m. ET), Emirates Airline Summer Racing Presented by the NTRA will take viewers from coast to coast as it showcases some of racings biggest starsmany of whom will go on to compete in the November 6-7 Breeders Cup World Championships.

On August 8, the scene shifts to Arlington Park outside Chicago for the Grade I Arlington Million (ESPN 4:30-6:00 p.m. ET), which annually attracts top grass runners from around the world for its seven-figure purse. The Arlington Million also serves as a Breeders Cup Challenge Win and Youre In event for the Breeders Cup Turf.

The series concludes on August 29 with the $1 million Shadwell Travers Stakes from Saratoga (ESPN, 4:30-6:00 p.m. ET). Known as the Mid-Summer Derby, the 2009 Travers could bring together all three winners from this years Triple Crown eventsDerby winner Mine That Bird, Preakness heroine Rachel Alexandra and Belmont Stakes victor Summer Bird.

We are very pleased to once again partner with ESPN in bringing racing fans key summer contests from three of the sports showpiece racetracks, said Alex Waldrop, President and CEO of the NTRA.

RACING TO HISTORY

July 2, 1989: Jockey Steve Cauthen became the first rider in history to sweep the worlds four major derbies after winning the Irish Derby with Old Vic. He had previously won the Kentucky Derby with Affirmed (1978), the Epsom Derby with Slip Anchor (1985) and Reference Point (1987) and the French Derby with Old Vic (1989).

July 2, 2007: Following a four-day carryover of $3,274,505, Hollywood Parks Pick Six pool reached a record $10.87 million. The days 13 winning tickets were worth $576,064.40 each.

July 3, 1937: The Del Mar Turf Club, with crooner Bing Crosby as president and actor Pat OBrien as one of the club officers, opened for racing.

July 3, 1977: Seattle Slews nine-race winning streak came to an end in the Swaps Stakes at Hollywood Park, when he finished fourth, beaten 16 lengths by J.O. Tobin.

July 3, 1982: D. Wayne Lukas-trained Landaluce, ridden by Laffit Pincay Jr., won the first of her five consecutive victories at Hollywood Park. The daughter of Seattle Slew, owned by Barry Beal and Lloyd French, died of a viral infection in November of that year, but was posthumously voted champion two-year-old filly of 1982.

July 4, 1954: Two-year-old Ribot won his first race, the Premio Tramuschio. He concluded his career in 1956, with 16 wins in as many starts.

July 4, 1972: Two-year-old Secretariat, ridden by Paul Feliciano, ran fourth to winner Herbull in his racing debut, blocked badly throughout the race, at Aqueduct. It was the poorest placing of Secretariats career.

July 4, 1976: Charlie Whittingham swept the top three spots in the American Handicap at Hollywood Park with his trainees King Pellinore, Riot in Paris and Caucasus. On July 26, he repeated the feat in the Sunset Handicap, with Caucasus first, King Pellinore second and Riot in Paris third.

July 4, 1978: Trainer D. Wayne Lukas won his first $100,000 stakes raceover the turftaking the American Handicap with Effervescing, ridden by Laffit Pincay Jr., at Hollywood Park.

July 4, 1998: Elusive Quality ran the fastest mile in history in the Poker Handicap at Belmont Park. The five-year-old horse was timed in 1:31 3/5 over a firm turf course.

July 4, 2000: Hall of Fame jockey Russell Baze scored his 7,000 career victory aboard This Is the Moment at the Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton, Calif. Baze became the sixth jockey to join the 7,000-win club.

July 5, 1991: Jockey Ray Sibille won his 3,000th career race, aboard Sporting Surf at Pleasanton.

July 6, 1975: Locust Hill Farms undefeated filly Ruffian engaged Kentucky Derby winner Foolish Pleasure in a match race at Belmont Park. Racing on the lead, Ruffian sustained a severe leg injury and was pulled up by jockey Jacinto Vasquez. The filly was euthanized the following day when efforts to save her proved futile.

July 6, 1977: In the second of their 10 meetings, Alydar defeated Affirmed to win the Great American Stakes at Belmont Park. This was the first of Alydars three victories over Affirmed.

July 7, 1934: Mary Hirsch became the first female to be licensed as a Thoroughbred trainer, in Illinois. Hirsch subsequently was licensed in Michigan that year and two years later, on April 9, she was licensed by The Jockey Club to train in New York.

July 10, 1982: Landaluce, a two-year-old daughter of Seattle Slew, won the Hollywood Lassie Stakes by 21 lengths under the guidance of Laffit Pincay Jr. She ran the six furlong race in 1:08, just 3/5 of a second off the track record at Hollywood Park.

July 11, 1997: Breeders Cup Ltd. announced that supplemental entry fees would be added to the purses of Breeders Cup Championship Day events.

July 12, 1971: Bold Ruler, sire of 82 stakes winners, including Secretariat, died at Claiborne Farm.

July 13, 1986: Jockey Kent Desormeaux rode his first winner, a three-year-old filly named Miss Tavern, in the fifth race at Evangeline Downs.

July 13, 1996: Cigar tied Citations record of 16 consecutive victories, winning the Citation Challenge at Arlington International Racecourse.

July 13, 2006: The condition of injured Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro took a turn for the worse when it was discovered that the colt has developed acute laminitis in his left hind foot.

July 13, 2007: Funny Cide, winner of the 2003 Kentucky Derby, was retired. The popular New York-bred gelding then began a second career as a stable pony.

July 14, 1951: In his last race, Calumet Farms six-year-old Citation won the Hollywood Gold Cup by four lengths, and became racings first millionaire horse.

July 14, 1999: Television Games Network (TVG) made its official debut with horse racing programming available to 1.1 million C-band satellite homes though Superstar/Netlink Group, the nations largest satellite programming provider.

July 15, 1966: Dr. Fager won his first race by seven lengths at Aqueduct racetrack. He was sent off at odds of 10-1.

July 15, 1972: After finishing fourth in his racing debut on July 4, Secretariat won his first race, under jockey Paul Feliciano. The six-length victory occurred at Aqueduct.

July 15, 1987: Jack Van Berg became the first trainer to win 5,000 races when he sent Arts Chandelle, a $10,000 claimer, to victory at Arlington Park.

July 15, 1999: The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) confirmed that it had completed its purchase of the horseracing assets of Winner Communications via its newly formed subsidiary, NTRA Investments LLC.

July 15, 2000: Three-year-old filly Hallowed Dreams kept her record perfect and tied Cigars and Citations record of 16 consecutive wins by taking the Dixie Miss Stakes at Louisiana Downs.

WEEKEND STAKES RACES (unrestricted stakes in N.A. worth $75,000 and up)

FRIDAY, JULY 3

Bashford Manor Stakes, 2yo, $100,000, Grade III, 6F, Churchill Downs

Flawlessly Stakes, 3yo fillies, $100,000, 1M (T), Hollywood Park

Mr. Prospector Stakes, 3up, $75,000, 6F, Monmouth Park

SATURDAY, JULY 4

United Nations Stakes, 3up, $750,000, Grade I, 1 3-8M (T), Monmouth Park

Suburban Handicap, 3up, $400,000, Grade II, 1 1-4M, Belmont Park

Prioress Stakes, 3yo fillies, $300,000, Grade I, 6F, Belmont Park

Salvator Mile Stakes, 3up, $250,000, Grade III, 1M, Monmouth Park

Dwyer Stakes, 3yo, $200,000, Grade II, 1 1-16M, Belmont Park

Firecracker Handicap, 3up, $150,000, Grade II, 1M (T), Churchill Downs

American Handicap, 3up, $150,000, Grade II, 1 1-8M (T), Hollywood Park

Chicago Handicap, 3up (fm), $150,000, Grade III, 7F, Arlington Park

Dale Baird Memorial Stakes, 3up, $75,000, 5 1-2F, Mountaineer Park

Firecracker Stakes, 3up (fm), $75,000, 1M (T), Mountaineer Park

Independence Day Stakes, 3up, $75,000, 1M (T), Mountaineer Park

SUNDAY, JULY 5

American Oaks Invitational, 3yo fillies, $700,000, Grade I, 1 1-4M (T), Hollywood Park

Triple Bend Handicap, 3up, $300,000, Grade I, 7F, Hollywood Park

Tom Fool Handicap, 3up, $200,000, Grade III, 7F, Belmont Park

Jersey Shore Stakes, 3yo, $200,000, Grade III, 6F, Monmouth Park

Locust Grove Handicap, 3up (fm), $100,000, Grade III, 1M (T), Churchill Downs

MONDAY, JULY 6

Dr. James Penny Memorial Handicap, 3up (fm), $200,000, 1 1-16M (T), Philadelphia Park

Indiana Downs Distaff Stakes, 3yo fillies, $100,000, 1M (T), Indiana Downs

TUESDAY, JULY 7

Oliver Stakes, 3yo, $200,000, 1M (T), Indiana Downs

Dance Gal Dance shook off early pressure Thursday, pulling clear in midstretch for a 4-length victory in the $67,450 Wandering Cloud Stakes for New York-bred fillies and mares at Belmont Park.

Rajiv Maragh guided the 4-year-old to her fifth win in seven starts. The time was 1:11 for the six furlongs on the fast track.

Trained by Tim Ritvo, Dance Gal Dance paid $3.80, $2.90 and $2.20 as the 4-5 favorite. Beam of Love rallied for second, returning $6.60 and $3.20. Just Zip It paid $4 to show.

A new study shows that horses treated with a diuretic before racing had less hemorrhaging in their airways and lungs during exercise.

Use of furosemide, which is sold as Lasix and Salix, to treat pulmonary hemorrhaging in racehorses began in the 1970s. The study seemingly fuels the argument that Lasix should be administered to horses on the day of a race. That practice is legal in the United States, but most countries ban the use the drug on race-day because it enhances performance.

The study was conducted by Colorado State University, the University of Melbourne and the University of Pretoria in the Republic of South Africa.

Doctors studied 167 horses in South Africa in 2007. Each horse raced twice, one week apart, in the same field and in races of the same distance. In the blinded study, each horse received furosemide, also known as Lasix, before one race and saline solution before the other race.

Endoscopy was performed within 30-90 minutes after racing to identify the presence of blood in airways.

The research showed that giving furosemide before a race dramatically decreased the incidence and severity of exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage, or EIPH. Horses were three to four times more likely to have any evidence of bleeding without furosemide, and were seven to 11 times more likely to have severe bleeding without it.

Although furosemide has been used in the racing industry for several decades, no scientifically sound studies have been conducted to prove or disprove an effect on EIPH.

The results of this study do not eliminate debate about the use of this medication in racehorses, but it does provide evidence needed to aid making sound policy decisions, said Dr. Paul Morley, one of the principal investigators of the study and a veterinarian at Colorado State University.

This is not earth-shattering, but confirms what weve known clinically for several years, said Dan Dreyfuss, the first veterinarian on the scene when Barbaro went down at the 2006 Preakness. Its nice that it done under blind conditions, because thats the only objective way of doing the study.

These days, racecourses are seldom filled purely by quality of horses but Sandown is hoping to be an exception on Saturday. Sea The Stars, hero of the 2,000 Guineas and Derby, is a rare drawcard and the Esher track is reassured that his arrival, for the Coral-Eclipse Stakes, is not jeopardised by the decision to start watering yesterday.

Andrew Cooper, the director of racing, spoke at length to John Oxx, trainer of Sea The Stars, after instructing his team to apply, initially, up to 5mm of water. It was a potentially tricky call, given that this established fast-ground colt was withdrawn from the Irish Derby last weekend amid accusations of over-watering, but Cooper evidently made his case well.

We had a long conversation and John didnt raise any issues based on what I was telling him, Cooper said. We are faced with a series of dry, hot days and if I did nothing, we would very soon have firm ground. Were not having to water heavily, just enough to replace the moisture you lose through hot sun.

Cooper, while delighted with the likely field for the first serious clash of the generations, is disappointed by one aspect. Its been hard to crack the French angle, he said. Weve not had a French runner in the Eclipse since 2005 and we didnt have a single entry in 2007. After that, I knew we had to promote it and weve gone out there each spring to talk to the trainers. I feel the royal meeting holds a special lure to them but well keep trying.
David Mackinnon, managing director at Sandown, reports that ticket sales for Eclipse day peaked on Monday after confirmation that Sea The Stars will meet the Derby fourth, Rip Van Winkle, who will be ridden for Aidan OBrien by Jimmy Fortune, in the absence of the suspended Johnny Murtagh.

Key components are in our favour - a superstar horse and fine weather, Mackinnon said. We would expect to sell about 75 per cent of tickets in advance and we are already 8 per cent ahead of the total advance sale last year.

That crowd amounted to 14,000 and Mackinnon doubts if the 18,000 capacity will be reached. The irony is that Sandowns gates will be closed for an incomparably inferior card later this month, the difference being that post-race entertainment will be provided by Simply Red.

Even at Ascot, music is being used increasingly to bolster attendances. The next appearance of Sea The Stars could be in the King George VI Queen Elizabeth Stakes, which for the first time is selling as much on a concert by Supergrass as on its traditional racing excellence. Nick Smith, director of communications, said yesterday: Advance sales for King George day are up 25 per cent, so its clearly the right thing to have done.

Smith is now turning his attentions to the Shergar Cup next month. He revealed yesterday that Hayley Turner will either be captain or selector of the Great Britain team, depending on whether her medical review next week allows her to resume riding.

The format of the team cup could change next year. We will give consideration to an all-girl team, Smith said. This would almost certainly include Clare Lindop, the Australian, who continued her whistle-stop British education with a ride under the blue skies of Brighton yesterday.

Blue skies are all relative to Nicky Henderson as he frets over the imminent announcement of his punishment for a doping offence. Henderson requested a personal hearing for purposes of mitigation and that is to be held tomorrow.

The Derby winners absence meant that we were not expecting to see the stars here yesterday. In the event, however, Fame And Glory lit up the overcast skies with a thoroughly convincing victory in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby.

Fame And Glorys five-length rout of Golden Sword was beautifully orchestrated by his stablemates and expertly delivered by Johnny Murtagh. The jockey was quick to lament the late withdrawal of Sea The Stars, who proved Fame And Glorys superior in the Derby. But the beauty of the classics is that you only get one chance. Fame And Glorys was blown at Epsom by tactical negligence.

There was no chance of that happening here. Rockhampton, one of six Ballydoyle-trained runners, set up the race perfectly for Golden Sword to make a long and searching run for home. That made it a real test of stamina, allowing Fame And Glory to live up to his name.

Inevitably, the Ballydoyle camp suggested that Fame And Glory might have beaten allcomers on this showing. He was a different proposition today, Murtagh said. Whatever turned up today, hed have been very difficult to beat.

Whether Fame And Glory has progressed to that extent is arguable. He finished about as far in front of Mourayan, the third horse home, as he had in the Derrinstown Derby Trial six weeks ago. And however the theories stack up, the onus is now on Fame And Glory to seek a showdown with Sea The Stars. To do so will require this model middle-distance runner to drop back in distance.

Even then, Aidan OBrien seemed keen on the idea. I dont think ten furlongs will be any problem, the trainer said. Hes a horse with tactical speed who travels strongly through his races. In my opinion, the sky is the limit.

Although debate will rage, at least until Sea The Stars reappears in the Coral-Eclipse Stakes at Sandown Park on Saturday, the most plausible verdict is that Ballydoyles tactics here were as well-executed as they were wayward at Epsom, where they played their part in a modestly-run race.

John Magnier, part-owner of Fame And Glory, described the colt in the mould of Montjeu and Hurricane Run, both supreme 12-furlong performers. Unless he proves otherwise, the suspicion is that Fame And Glory may struggle to contain Sea The Stars over anything shorter.

Whatever transpires, OBrien carved himself another slice of history here. This was his seventh Irish Derby triumph, one more that Vincent OBrien, who died this month. Vincent, of course, founded the Ballydoyle institution that is now home to his younger, unrelated namesake. All these bloodlines were instigated by Vincent, Magnier reflected yesterday. He set up Ballydoyle and Aidan has continued it. Vincent would be very proud.

Vincents daughter, Susan, bridges the time divide at Ballydoyle. Susan is married to Magnier, Ballydoyles principal patron and employer of Aidan. It was good to see her savouring Fame And Glorys triumph, which became a family celebration embracing several generations by the time OBrien and Murtaghs children - there are almost enough of them to field a football team - stepped up to the winners podium.

Earlier, OBriens mastery of racing in Ireland was emphasised when he saddled the winner of the Netjets Railway Stakes for the eleventh time in 13 years. Alfred Nobel showed a smart turn of foot to earn 2,000 Guineas quotes as low as 14-1. However, the son of Danehill Dancer does not look from the top drawer.

A more likely candidate is Steinbeck, who is expected to return to action shortly. A recent growth spurt prompted connections to back off Steinbeck but the colt is a possible runner at Newmarkets July meeting.

For all his promise, Steinbeck will do well to emulate the achievements of Benbaun, who posted his seventh victory here in the Sapphire Stakes. It was the eight-year-olds first victory in nearly two years - and first for Kevin Ryan, who inherited the gelding when Mark Wallace moved to Australia.

Spanish Moon did not have to travel so far to make his mark. The Sir Michael Stoute-trained five-year-old gained a well-deserved group one triumph when he landed the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud under Ryan Moore.

The day of reckoning is nigh for Nicky Henderson, who was last week adjudged to have used a prohibited substance to improve the performance of a horse owned by the Queen. One thing is certain: the strength of the sanction imposed by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) will split the racing community right down the middle.

Strip the case to the bare bones and a suspension is the least Henderson warrants. Britains position on all forms of raceday medication is unswerving. Since it claims to lead the world in the fight against drugs, its authorities are obliged to grasp a particularly toxic nettle and throw the book at Henderson.

Nothing is ever that simple. The judgment that Henderson conspired to enhance a horses performance is at the very least highly contestable. Yet the BHA had little choice. For decades Britains authorities have scoffed at

Americas use of substances designed to stem internal bleeding, as was Hendersons unequivocal intention in this case. They cannot suddenly develop a moral conscience overnight.
Horses that suffer from internal bleeding are now two-a-penny. What happens is that breaking blood vessels cause blood spillage that trickles down into the lungs. In chronic cases, so much blood collects on the floor of the lung that the horse starts to choke. It cannot breathe properly.

Consider the effect when you take a sip of water and it goes down the wrong way. It forces you to cough violently. Now imagine having to run flat out in those debilitating circumstances. It would be inhumane, yet it happens every day on Britains racecourses. The authorities response is to loudly reiterate its medication rules on raceday - and to hell with the consequences. How humane is that?

The authorities have made no effort to address the bleeding issue even though research has shown that 90 per cent of all thoroughbreds bleed to some degree during a race. The vast majority are negligible cases, but what about such as the Queens Moonlit Path, who failed the post-race test? Well, they can keep running - and keep bleeding, and keep choking - for ever and ever. All within the Rules.

There is a further hypocrisy at play here. Horses are permitted to do their homework on anti-bleeding drugs. All within the Rules, so long as the drug washes out of the system come raceday. So you can fool a horse into thinking the bleeding has stopped at home; yet when it comes to raceday, when the physical strains on a horse render it most likely to bleed, you have to withhold medication. How humane is that?

Henderson is guilty all right. He is guilty of caring; of acting in the interests of Moonlit Paths welfare. Yet he has done so in a way that transgresses rules that have not evolved over time - as has the vexing issue of bleeding in racehorses. So acute has the problem become that it has drawn a range of healers to the cause, from herbal remedists to exotic witch-doctor types. All, it seems, to little avail, since Henderson was evidently prepared to run the one-in-ten risk of failing a random dope test on raceday - with a horse belonging to the Queen, no less.

That is one of numerous aspects to this case that makes little sense. Yet those are by-the-by. It was only a matter of time before a trainer got tangled up in the complex web of the treatment of bleeders. That it ensnared a man with an exemplary disciplinary record who trains for the most high-profile patron in the sport is unfortunate in the extreme.

Yet the broader question concerning the lesser of two evils remains. Should bleeders be allowed to train routinely on medication but be denied it when they are most at risk on the racecourse? Or should they be allowed to race with the appropriate medication on humane grounds? You decide.

Girlfrienontheside overtook two rivals in the deep stretch to win the $60,000 Crank It Up Stakes by a neck at Monmouth Park on Sunday.

Trained by Anthony Dutrow and ridden by Chuck C. Lopez, the 3-year-old filly ran the 5 1/2 furlongs on the firm turf course in 1:02 and returned $5, $3.40 and $2.80. Snow Lass, who led for most of the race, paid $10.60 and $7.20, while Lady Alexander was another neck back in third and returned $5.60.

We sat in behind the early speed and had to wait for a hole (on the rail), Lopez said. I had no choice but to wait because I had horses on all sides. The lane opened up and she had a good kick.

It was the third win in seven career starts for Girlfrienontheside, who boosted her earnings to $126,990.

Defending champion Black Mamba caught Charming Legacy just before the wire to win the $150,000 Beverly Hills Handicap by a head at Hollywood Park on Sunday.

Under jockey Garrett Gomez, Black Mamba covered 1 miles in 1:59.72, snapping a five-race winless streak dating to last summer.

Black Mamba paid $3.40 and $2.20. There was no show betting in the field reduced to four with the scratches of Hot n Dusty and Restless Soul. The place payoff on Charming Legacy, ridden by Joe Talamo, was $3.20.

Black Mamba, trained by John Sadler, won $90,000 to boost her earnings to $808,851.