Raven Pass won the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot on Saturday. Beating Henrythenavigator for a boost heading into the Breeders Cup.

Jimmy Fortune rose the 3-year-old colt.

Horse, trainer and jockey finally got it right all at the same time, Ravens Pass trainer John Gosden said. The plan is now to go to the Breeders Cup. Whether that is for the Mile or the Classic we will have to see.

—-
Zanjero wins Kentucky Cup Classic.

Zanjero used a determined stretch run to pull away from the two favorites and stay clear of two long shots Saturday in the $350,000 Kentucky Cup.

The win earned the 4-year-old colt a trip to the Breeders Cup series next month at Santa Anita.

Trained by Steve Asmussen, the nations leading trainer, and ridden by Shaun Bridgmohan, Zanjero ran 1 1-8 miles in 1:49.27 to beat Extreme Supreme by 1 1/2 lengths. Canela was another 4 lengths back in third.

That horse ran great, said Asmussen, who watched the race on TV at Belmont Park, where he saddled Jockey Gold Cup winner Curlin. This horse is going to the Breeders Cup Dirt Mile.

The win in the Grade 2 Classic put Zaneros lifetime earnings over $1.6 million.

Zanjero took the lead from pacesetters Honest Man and Extreme Supreme at the top of the stretch.

The race went just as I hoped it would, said owner Ron Winchell. He broke clean and was close to the pace. He has a good late kick as long as he doesnt use it too early.
The 8-5 co-favorites, Honest Man and Stream Cat, faded to finish fourth and last in the six-horse field. Jockey Terry Thompson said Honest Man didnt appear to like Turfways Polytrack surface.

Hes a real big, heavy horse and he pounds the ground kind of hard, Thompson said.

Zanjero paid $7.40, $3.80 and $3.20. Extreme Supreme returned $10 and $5. Canela paid $6.60 to show.

Woodbine-based Fatal Bullet, winner in six of seven starts this year, set a track record in the Kentucky Cup Sprint, one of three graded stakes on the undercard. Fatal Bullet, trained by Reade Baker and bound for the Breeders Cup Sprint, ran six furlongs in 1:08.03 on Turfways Polytrack, which is similar to the synthetic surface at Santa Anita.

Trainer Kelly Breen said Kentucky Cup Juvenile winner West Side Bernie, now 2-for-2, also is headed for the Breeders Cup series.

Bear Now, trained by Baker, won the Kentucky Cup Distaff. Eurico Da Silva rode both of Bakers winners.

Canadian-owned Somebeachsomewhere matched the fastest mile in harness racing history Saturday. Finishing in 1:46.4 in a Bluegrass Stakes division for 3-year-old pacers at the Red Mile.

Somebeachsomewhere, driven by Paul MacDonell, tied the mark set by Holborn Hanover in 2006 at the Meadowlands in 2006.

Holborn Hanover was a 5-year-old when he set the record. Somebeachsomewheres time is the fastest ever for a 3-year-old, breaking the mark of 1:47 set by Art Official in the Meadowlands Pace in July. Art Official beat Somebeachsomewhere by a neck in the Meadowlands Pace, handing Somebeachsomewhere the only loss of his career.

Facing 70-degree temperatures and a 10 mph headwind in the backstretch, Somebeachsomewhere had fractions of 26.4, 52.4 and 1:19.2. MacDonell said he hopes for better conditions next week to take on the record again.

The conditions werent exactly 100 percent, he said. He did have a bit of a breeze in his face, but this just shows how great of a horse that he is. The track condition was excellent, though.

Trainer Brent MacGrath had to treat some sickness before he arrived with Somebeachsomewhere earlier this week.

He had three weeks off and he was a little sick in his last start, he said. I think weve got him close to 100 percent now. I think hes got another half-second in him.

Somebeachsomewhere will start next in the Tattersalls Pace at The Red Mile for owner Schooner Stables of Nova Scotia. The colt has won 16 of 17 career races and earned $2.3 million.

Jockey Patrick Valenzuela, his career marred by substance abuse and suspensions. Wont be riding in California again.

His conditional license was revoked this week and the 45-year-old rider wont be able to reapply, the California Horse Racing Board ruled. The board adopted the proposed decision of administrative law Judge Daniel Juarez. He said Valenzuela is permanently ineligible to reapply for or to hold a license issued by the board.

Valenzuelas license was revoked in December after a drunken-driving arrest in Southern California. He pled guilty in May.

He has ridden at Louisiana Downs since late May. His active license to ride in that state was granted last fall and he hasnt violated any of Louisianas racing rules. Hes also ridden in New Mexico this year.

Valenzuela rode Sunday Silence to victory in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes in 1989.

—-
Nakatani could miss Breeders Cup with injury.

Jockey Corey Nakatani most likely will miss next months Breeders Cup because of a broken collarbone from a spill at Santa Anita.

His mount, Easy on the Eye, went down after clipping heels shortly after the start of the $100,000 Morvich Handicap on Wednesdays opening day of the tracks Oak Tree meeting.

Its a new injury and a clean break, his agent, Ron Ebanks, said. Doctors will see him in three weeks for further evaluation, but hes expected to be out from three to five weeks.

In January, Nakatani broke his right clavicle in a training accident at Hollywood Park.

The 37-year-old rider was replaced on seven scheduled mounts Saturday, including Vacare in the $400,000 Yellow Ribbon Stakes, In Summation in the $250,000 Ancient Title Stakes and Spring House, who finished fourth in the $250,000 Clement L. Hirsch Turf Championship.

Nakatani was the leading rider at the 2006 Oak Tree meeting.

The Breeders Cup will be run Oct. 24-25 at Santa Anita.

Well Armed held off fast-closing Tiago to win the $500,000 Goodwood Stakes by a length at Santa Anita on Saturday. And earn a shot at a much bigger payday, the $5 million Breeders Cup Classic.

The victory gave Well Armed an automatic berth into the Classic, where Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Big Brownand BC officials hope Curlin awaits on Oct. 25 over the same new synthetic surface.

John Velazquez notched career victory No. 3,999 in the $400,000 Yellow Ribbon Stakes, riding even-money favorite Wait a While to a three-quarters of a length win over Vacare.

Zenyatta ran her record to 8-0 with a 3 1/2 -length victory over Hystericalady in the $250,000 Ladys Secret Stakes, leaving Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith searching for superlatives to describe the filly.

A record six Grade 1 stakes were run at Santa Anita on the same day Curlin became North Americas richest thoroughbred, going over the $10 million mark with a victory in the $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup at New Yorks Belmont Park.

Curlin will be shipped to Santa Anita on Sunday, starting the countdown clock on owner Jess Jacksons decision whether to take on Big Brown and some of Europes best horses in the Classic.

In the 10-horse Goodwood, Well Armed was third in the early going under Aaron Gryder while Hollywood Gold Cup winner Mast Track and Informed traded the lead. Smith had Tiago, half brother to 2005 Kentucky Derby winner Giacomo, in last before they started their move entering the stretch turn.

They were pushed to the far outside, moving three steps sideways instead of forward, when another horse also took the same path.

I would have liked to have seen what those three steps might have become, Smith said. Maybe the outcome would have been the same. But it certainly would have been a lot closer. Nevertheless, he ran good. Hes back on track.

Well Armed gave trainer Eoin Harty two likely Classic starters, including Colonel John.

Ive managed to dodge land mines along the way, but theyre both very sound horses, he said.

Well Armed ran 1 1-8 miles on the turf in 1:47.11 and paid $5.40 to win. Albertus Maximus was another three-quarters of a length back in third.

Whats impressed me the most about him is how much hes changed from a year ago, Gryder said about Well Armed. Hes relaxing so well. Hes just a much better horse.

Wait a Whiles Yellow Ribbon victory made her 3-0 on Santa Anitas turf course and earned the mare an automatic spot in the BC Filly & Mare Turf. The $240,000 winners purse pushed her career earnings to $2,181,917.

Trained by Todd Pletcher, whose Red Giant won the $250,000 Clement L. Hirsch Memorial Turf Championship earlier, Wait a While ran 1 1/2 miles in 1:59.16.

When Vacare came to her outside, she dug in and got it done, Velazquez said. Shes going to be real tough (in the Breeders Cup) on this course.

Wait a While ran 1 miles on the turf in 1:59.16 against nine rivals and paid $4 to win. Black Mamba was another length back in third.

Zenyatta won for the sixth time this year and earned an automatic berth in next months BC Ladies Classic on Oct. 24.
I just cant describe her, Smith said. She leaves me speechless. Her race today was incredible.

Three races later, Smith rode Stardom Bound to another 3 1/2 -length victory over Palacio de Amor in the $250,000 Oak Leaf Stakes and a guaranteed spot in the BC Juvenile Division.

Zenyatta covered 1 1-16 miles in 1:40.30 and paid $3.40 and $2.10 as the slight wagering favorite on a sunny day with highs in the low 90s.

She just seems to be sent from heaven, man, Smith said. She does things horses arent supposed to do. She went by them like well, the last quarter of a mile, she was just galloping.

Hystericalady brought a three-race winning streak into her first meeting with Zenyatta, but the 5-year-old mare failed again on a synthetic track, where she is 0-for-5.

The trip over the racetrack should set her up for the Breeders Cup, said jockey Garrett Gomez, who rode two winners to get to No. 2,998. She had a soft trip on the lead early. Maybe it would have been better to go a little faster because when she went to sprinting, she kind of misplaced her feet a little bit.
Zenyatta certainly seems to like the artificial footing underneath her, with two wins on it at Hollywood Park and another at Del Mar this year. It was her third Grade 1 victory this year, having won the Apple Blossom at Oaklawn and the Vanity Handicap at Hollywood Park.

She was fourth behind leader Hystericalady most of the way until moving up to the lead on the stretch turn. Zenyatta is owned by Jerry Moss, co-founder of A&M Records who also owns Tiago, who was set to run later Saturday.

Hystericalady returned $2.10 in losing the Ladys Secret for the second consecutive year. She was beaten by a nose last year.

The matchup was a preview of the Ladies Classic, where the duo is set to meet again.

Right now, it looks like the filly (Zenyatta) is the very best, said Jerry Hollendorfer, who trains Hystericalady. But I dont take anything away from my horse. I really love her. She ran really well, and I think shell make a good account of herself in the Breeders Cup.
Smith compared Zenyatta to Azeri, the mare he rode who earned 2002 Horse of the Year honors.

Im really starting to think she might be the best horse Ive ever ridden, he said. Without a doubt, she would be a deserving Horse of the Year if things continue to go well. Shes flawless. I mean, what else can you do beyond flawless?

In the Oak Leaf, Stardom Bound stretched out to two turns for the first time and improved to 4-0 in her brief career. Her first three wins came this summer at Del Mar, including a 4-length victory in the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante, when she rallied from last to first.

Shes my baby Zenyatta, Smith said.

Stardom Bound, a 2-year-old gray filly, ran 1 1-16 miles in 1:42.44. She was kicked on the inside of her right hind leg by an outriders pony after galloping Friday.

Tyler Baze guided Cost of Freedom to a half-length upset in the $240,000 Ancient Title Stakes and a berth in the BC Sprint. They covered six furlongs in 1:07.53.

Street Boss, who will make his final start in the Breeders Cup before retiring, was second as the 9-10 favorite and In Summation third.

Red Giant edged Out of Control by a head in the Hirsch, the days only stakes without an automatic Breeders Cup berth going to the winner.

Ridden by Velazquez, Red Giant covered 1 miles in 1:57.16, a world record for the distance on turf that bettered the old mark of 1:57.40 set by Double Discount in the Carleton F. Burke Handicap on Oct. 9, 1977.

A state judge ordered a sealed bid sale of a minority interest in 2007 Horse. Of the Year Curlin to settle a $42 million judgment.
Special Judge Roger Crittenden did not set a firm timeline for the sale in his order issued Thursday. The order authorizes a receiver overseeing the company that holds the interest to “maximize the value” of the horse.

Once a winning bid is accepted by the court, the bidder will get a clear title to the minority interest, Crittenden ruled.

The ruling comes in a civil suit against Curlin’s original owners, attorneys William Gallion and Shirley Cunningham Jr., who are accused of bilking clients out of millions in a $200 million settlement over the diet-drug fen-phen.

The attorneys sold an 80 percent stake in Curlin to a group led by Jess Jackson, the founder of Kendall-Jackson Winery and owner of Stonestreet Stables, and his wife, Barbara Banke, in February 2007. Jackson has since bought out two partners.

Curlin is scheduled to race Saturday in the Jockey Club Gold Cup, where Jackson hopes the horse can become the sport’s all-time money leader. A win would push the 4-year-old, with winnings of nearly $9.8 million past Cigar, the current winnings leader with $9.9 million.

Kevin McGee, a spokesman for Jackson, said Jackson has not decided whether to bid on the minority interest in the horse. Jackson also holds a right-of-first-refusal on Curlin – a clause that was part of the original purchase of the horse.

“We haven’t made a decision whether to bid or not,” McGee said. “We don’t know what we’re going to do yet.”

Angela Ford, an attorney who represents 418 former clients of Gallion and Cunningham in the civil suit, said the order is a good step toward her clients collecting on the judgment.

“It’s going to be an interesting couple of month ahead for Curlin,” Ford said.

Gallion and Cunningham bought Curlin for $57,000 in 2005 through their Midnight Cry Stables. The assets of Midnight Cry Stables and it’s parent company, Tandy LLC, were turned over to a receiver to manage while the civil suit against Gallion and Cunningham goes forward.

Crittenden’s order on Curlin doesn’t impact the other assets and horses, including Einstein and Stormin Baghdad, owned by Midnight Cry and Tandy.

Andre Regard, an attorney for Tandy, and Richard Getty, an attorney for Jackson’s Stonestreet Stables, did not immediately return calls.

Gallion and Cunningham face a Nov. 17 trial in federal court in Frankfort. The two are charged with one count each of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and eight counts each of wire fraud. Federal prosecutors say the men bilked clients of $94 million from the diet-drug settlement.

A jury failed to reach a verdict during a trial of the two men that ended in July.

Slew Tizzy beat Porto Santo by three lengths Friday. In the $61,800 feature in the Oak Tree meeting at Santa Anita.
Ridden by Joel Rosario, the 4-year-old mare ran the a mile course in 1:35.66 and paid $11.40, $5.20 and $3.60. Porto Santo returned $3.60 and $3.20, and Barber paid $5.20.

The win was worth $36,600 for Slew’s Tizzy, boosting his career total to $551,419.

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Rain cancels Belmont card on Friday.

Belmont Park canceled the Friday card following heavy overnight rain.

The track expects to reopen Saturday for the program that features five major stakes races, including Curlin’s bid in the $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup to become the first American thoroughbred to reach $10 million in career earnings.

Reigning Horse of the Year Curlin seeks to become the first North American horse. To crack the $10 million mark in earnings when he faces eight challengers in the $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup on Saturday at Belmont Park.

The Steve Asmussen-trained Curlin has a record of 10-2-2 in 14 starts. He comes into the Jockey Club with earnings of $9,796,800, second to Cigar, who earned $9,999,815 to lead North American thoroughbreds.

Curlin won this 1 1/4-mile race last year and a repeat performance will secure $450,000, driving his bankroll to $10,246,800.

Cigar left an indelible memory and was always a great competitor, Curlins owner Jess Jackson said this week. To win the Jockey Gold Cup this Saturday is not about the money. Curlin has proven himself as a champion and established himself as one of the best racehorses in the last century.

No horse has done what hes done – not racing as a 2-year-old and competing well in the Classics and winning (the Preakness), then winning the (2007) Gold Cup, Breeders Cup Classic, Horse of the Year and the Dubai World Cup.

Saturdays weather forecast for the New York Metropolitan Area calls for rain, however, a sloppy or wet track doesnt figure to be a problem for the 4-year-old son of Smart Strike. Curlin rolled to a 4 1/2-length victory in the 2007 Breeders Cup Classic at Monmouth Park over a sloppy, sealed surface.

Even the connections of Curlins foes are wowed.

I would say he stacks right up there with the greatest horses we have seen, said trainer Neil Howard, who will send out Mambo in Seattle, the second-place finisher in the Travers Stakes. The Secretariats, talk about the Cigars and the Skip Aways.

Youve got to put Curlin right up there to tell you the truth, not only because of the races he has put together and races he won, but because he has done it like one of those throwback situations, travel all over the world and doing it all – distances, all weights. Steve does his homework like I have ever seen, not leaving a stone unturned.

Howard thinks Mambo in Seattle, the 7-2 second choice from post nine, is ready for the dance.

I am anxious, Howard said. Our horse is training well. He will run his race. He never embarrasses you. We all know that this is a big undertaking.

Curlin, the 3-5 morning-line favorite from post five, brings a five-race win streak into the Jockey Club Gold Cup. He put in his final prep on Monday, working a half-mile in 51.85 seconds over the Oklahoma training track at Saratoga.

He worked perfect, Asmussens assistant trainer Scott Blasi said. Typical Curlin-type work before he runs; half-mile blowout, nothing special; nice, smooth work.

What is next for Curlin?

Jackson said if Curlin comes out of the Jockey Club fit and ready he would consider the $5 million Breeders Cup Classic, the Grade II $500,000 Clark Handicap at Churchill Downs or the Group I $2.5 million Japan Cup Dirt at Hanshin on December 7.

Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Big Brown is expected to run next months Breeders Cup Classic, setting up the possibility of an intriguing head-to-head showdown with Curlin.

I think (Curlin has) already proven hes among the best horses of the past half-century, if not the past century, Jackson said. To be compared to a Cigar or a Secretariat or to any other great horse is just a great honor for Curlin.

Weve followed the legacies of other great horses and tried to emulate what they did. Thats why we ran in the Woodward. Thats why were running in the Jockey Club Gold Cup.

Top trainer Aidan OBrien was fined and jockeys Johnny Murtagh. And Colm ODonoghue suspended Thursday for a racing rules violation involving a tactical move that allowed Duke of Marmalade to win last months Juddmonte International Stakes.

OBrien, who has dominated the major races in Europe this season, was fined $9,150 and the riders were each banned seven days.

All three appeared before a British Horseracing Authority disciplinary panel in central London on Thursday to answer charges relating to ODonoghues riding of Red Rock Canyon in the Group One race at Newmarket.

Red Rock Canyon was leading when ODonoghue moved the colt away from the rail, allowing Murtagh and Duke of Marmalade a clear run through to the finish.

ODonoghue pleaded guilty to a breach of the team tactics rules, admitting he made the move in the interest of another horse in common ownership. The disciplinary panel ruled Murtagh acted in a manner prejudicial to the proper conduct of racing, and that OBrien failed to give adequate instructions concerning the rules.

Details R Sketchy beat Pick to Click by a length Thursday. In the $48,246 feature for 2-year-olds in the Oak Tree meeting at Santa Anita.

Ridden by Garrett Gomez, Details R Sketchy covered six furlongs in 1:03 3-5.

Owned by Jane and Burt Bacharach, Details R Sketchy was bet down to 3-10 and returned $2.60, $2.20 and $2.10 for his second win in two starts. Pick to Click returned $4.40 and $2.80, and Delaware Doe paid $2.60.

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Boca Grande wins Belmont feature.

Boca Grande, the early trailer in the five-horse field, rallied to beat So Glitzy by four lengths Thursday in the $59,000 allowance feature for fillies and mares at Belmont Park.

The 4-year-old trained by Shug McGaughey and ridden by Cornelio Velasquez ran the one mile in 1:36.62 on the fast track. Boca Grande ended an eight-race losing streak and improved her record to 4-for-14.

The even-money favorite, Boca Grande paid $4.10, $2.80 and $2.10. So Glitzy returned $4.90 and $3.20. Inside Passage paid $3.70 to show.

The Breeders Cup announced this week that it will launch a multi-city tour featuring legendary Hall of Fame jockeys. Pat Day, Angel Cordero, Jr., and Laffit Pincay Jr. beginning Oct. 1 in celebration of the upcoming 25th running of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif., on October 24-25.

The three riders were first, second and third, respectively, in the inaugural Breeders’ Cup Classic at Hollywood Park in 1984, with Day and Wild Again winning in a tight three-horse photo finish over Pincay’s mount, Gate Dancer, and Cordero on Slew of Gold.

The Breeders’ Cup Legends Tour will bring these three jockeys to racetracks and other locations across the country to sign autographs and meet with fans and media. Accompanying the Legends will be a 20-foot photographic exhibit highlighting memorable moments in Breeders’ Cup history.

The Tour will kickoff in Boston on Oct. 1 and conclude in Los Angeles on Oct. 18 when Day and Cordero will ride at Oak Tree at Santa Anita in the Living Legends Race, a race featuring eight retired Hall of Fame jockeys. Also competing are Jerry Bailey, Sandy Hawley, Julie Krone, Chris McCarron, Gary Stevens and Jacinto Vasquez.

The tour schedule is as follows: Oct 1: Suffolk Downs, Mass., Oct 2: Belmont Park & Sports Museum of America, N.Y., Oct 3: Meadowlands, N.J., Oct 4: Laurel Park, Md., Oct 5: Philadelphia Park, Pa., Oct 9: Keeneland, Ky., Oct 10: Arlington Park, Ill., Oct 14: Lone Star Park, Texas; Oct 15: Sam Houston Race Park, Texas; Oct 16: Wynn Las Vegas, and Oct. 18: Living Legends Race, Santa Anita, Calif.

IEAH STABLES TO DONATE TO CHARITY A PORTION OF BREEDERS’ CUP WINNINGS

The Breeders’ Cup announced this week that International Equine Acquisitions Holdings, Inc. (IEAH Stables), owners of 2008 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner Big Brown, will donate part of all winnings any IEAH starters earn in next month’s World Championships to Breeders’ Cup Charities.

Besides Breeders’ Cup Classic contender Big Brown, IEAH Stables is scheduled to start as many as four other horses in the Oct. 24-25 Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Oak Tree at Santa Anita, including defending Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Kip Deville, and the multiple stakes winning 3-year-old filly, Pure Clan, a candidate for the $2 million Emirates Airline Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf.

The primary beneficiaries of Breeders’ Cup Charities are: Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Breeders’ Cup Charities also will support causes in southern California and Thoroughbred industry charities.

“We are grateful for the generosity of Michael Iavarone and his partners at IEAH Stables in pledging to join us in supporting multiple nonprofit organizations at the 25th Breeders’ Cup,” said Greg Avioli, president and chief executive officer of the Breeders’ Cup.

“IEAH had great success with Kip Deville at the 2007 Breeders’ Cup and we wish them the best of luck with their horses in 2008.”

The pledge by IEAH is the second commitment from the Thoroughbred industry to Breeders’ Cup Charities, which was established this year to further community outreach efforts in conjunction with the 2008 Breeders’ Cup World Championships. Last week, Pamela and Martin Wygod, on behalf of WebMD Health Foundation, made the first contribution to Breeders’ Cup Charities, donating $250,000.

“IEAH Stables is proud to be supporting such great charities at our world championships,” said Iavarone, Co-President and CEO of IEAH Stables. “Breeders’ Cup’s commitment to St. Jude’s and Susan G. Komen and others shows the importance of using an event of this magnitude to bring support and awareness to causes which help those who are less fortunate than us.”

RACING ON THE AIR

September 27 – Jockey Club Gold Cup (Belmont Park); 5:50-6 p.m., ESPNEWS

RACING TO HISTORY

Sept. 26, 1942: The Jockey Club stewards revoked Eddie Arcaro’s license for one year after his display of “rough riding” aboard odds-on favorite Occupation in the Cowdin Stakes on Sept. 19. In the Cowdin, Arcaro deliberately drove his horse into another, Breezing Home, knocking his jockey, Vincent Nodarse, into the infield. Nodarse and his mount had crowded Arcaro at the start of the race, almost causing him to be unseated.

Sept. 27, 1894: Aqueduct Racetrack opened its doors. The building was torn down in 1955 and the new Aqueduct was reopened on Sept. 14, 1959.

Sept. 27, 1924: In the second his three specially staged International races, the French colt Epinard was again defeated, this time by a nose to Ladkin, at Aqueduct. A crowd of 40,000 witnessed the race.

Sept. 27, 1947: Armed, then the world’s leading money-winning Thoroughbred, met 1946 Kentucky Derby winner Assault in the first $100,000 winner-take-all match race, held at Belmont Park. Armed earned an easy victory over Assault, who was not in peak racing condition.

Sept. 28, 1960: Forty years after Man o’ War won the Lawrence Realization Stakes by 100 lengths in the record time of 2:40 4/5, Kelso equaled his time in the same event.

Sept. 28, 1983: Atlantic City Racecourse and The Meadowlands became the first U.S. tracks to engage in simulcasting. The previous year, Woodbine and Fort Erie in Canada had been the first to experiment with simulcasting.

Sept. 28, 1996: Jockey Lanfranco “Frankie” Dettori won seven-of-seven races at Ascot, a single-day wins record in England. His win streak was estimated to have cost English bookmakers >30 million and to have caused the closing of as many as 40 bookmaking shops, which suffered heavy losses after paying off winning punters.

Sept. 28, 1996: Jockey Dave Gall had his 7,000th career win, at Fairmount Park aboard A. J. Onray. He was the fourth rider to attain 7,000 wins.

Sept. 29, 1973: With Meadow Stable’s Riva Ridge scratched because of rainy weather, his stablemate Secretariat was left to compete in the 1 1/2-mile Woodward Stakes at Belmont Park. Prove Out, trained by Allen Jerkens, beat the 3-10 favorite Secretariat, who faded after 1 1/4 miles to finish second by 4 1/2 lengths. Another Jerkens trainee, Onion, had defeated Secretariat in the Whitney Stakes on Aug. 4 at Saratoga.

Sept. 30, 1898: Jockey Tod Sloan rode five consecutive winners at England’s Newmarket racecourse.

Sept. 30, 1922: After a six-year hiatus, racing returned to Chicago with the reopening of Hawthorne Park. The popular gelding Exterminator, winner of the 1918 Kentucky Derby and the then-second-leading money winner of all time, made a special appearance, racing solo against the track-record time of 2:04 3-5 for 1 1-4 miles. He completed the distance in 2:10.

Sept. 30, 1969: Jockey Kathy Kusner won her first career race, at Pocono Downs. Kusner, a former rider with the U.S. Equestrian Team, had sued to obtain a jockey’s license in Maryland in 1968. She won her case but was subsequently sidelined by a broken leg suffered in a training accident.

Sept. 30, 1981: Jockey Laffit Pincay Jr. had his 5,000th career win, aboard Wander in the seventh race at Santa Anita Park.

Sept. 30, 1990: Bill Shoemaker had his first graded stakes win as a trainer when Baldomero (IRE) won the Grade III Golden Harvest Handicap at Louisiana Downs.

Sept. 30, 1995: Jockey Craig Perret, 44, scored his 4,000th career victory, at Turfway Park, riding Heloise to victory in the eighth race.

Oct. 2, 1943: Belmont Park hosted “Back the Attack” day in support of the war effort. Admission was by purchase of $25 or $100 war bonds. Approximately $25 million was raised.

Oct. 2, 1981: At age 17, Behavin Jerry, the oldest Thoroughbred in racing competition, set the record for most career starts by a Thoroughbred, 307. Behavin Jerry began his career as a two-year-old in 1966 and raced every year thereafter through 1978. He took two years off, 1979-80, and returned to racing at age 17 in 1981.

Oct. 2, 1995: Jockey Mike Smith won his 3,000th career race, aboard Old Chapel, in the seventh race at Belmont Park.

WEEKEND STAKES RACES

(Uunrestricted stakes in N.A. worth $100,000 and up)

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27

Jockey Club Gold Cup Invitational, 3&up, $750,000, Grade I, 1 1-4M, Belmont Park

Beldame Stakes, 3&up (f&m), $600,000, Grade I, 1 1-8M, Belmont Park

Flower Bowl Invitational, 3&up (f&m), $600,000, Grade I, 1 1-4M (T), Belmont Park

Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational, 3&up, $600,000, Grade I, 1 1-2M (T), Belmont Park

Goodwood Stakes, 3&up, $500,000, Grade I, 1 1-8M, Oak Tree at Santa Anita

Hawthorne Gold Cup Handicap, 3&up, $500,000, Grade II, 1 1-4M, Hawthorne

Vosburgh Stakes, 3&up, $400,000, Grade I, 6F, Belmont Park

Yellow Ribbon Stakes, 3&up (f&m), $400,000, Grade I, 1 1-4M (T), Oak Tree at Santa Anita

Kentucky Cup Classic, 3&up, $350,000, Grade II, 1 1-8M, Turfway Park

Ancient Title Stakes, 3&up, $250,000, Grade I, 6F, Oak Tree at Santa Anita

Clement L. Hirsch Turf Championship, 3&up (f&m), $250,000, Grade I, 1 1-4M (T), Oak Tree at Santa Anita

Lady’s Secret Stakes, 3&up (f&m), $250,000, Grade I, 1 1-16M, Oak Tree at Santa Anita

Oak Leaf Stakes, 2yo fillies, $250,000, Grade I, 1 1-16M, Oak Tree at Santa Anita

Gallant Bob Handicap, 3yo, $250,000, 6F, Philadelphia Park

Turf Amazon Handicap, 3&up (f&m), $200,000, 5F (T), Philadelphia Park

Robert F. Carey Memorial Handicap, 3&up, $150,000, Grade III, 1M (T), Hawthorne

La Lorgnette Stakes, 3yo fillies, $150,000, 1 1-16M, Woodbine

Kentucky Cup Distaff, 3&up (f&m), $100,000, Grade III, 1 1-16M, Turfway Park

Kentucky Cup Juvenile Stakes, 2yo, $100,000, Grade III, 1 1-16M, Turfway Park

Kentucky Cup Sprint, 3yo, $100,000, Grade III, 6F, Turfway Park

Fitz Dixon Jr. Memorial Juvenile Stakes, 2yo, $100,000, 6 1-2F, Presque Isle Downs

Gottstein Futurity, 2yo, $100,000, 1 1-16M, Emerald Downs

H.B.P.A. Stakes, 3&up (f&m), $100,000, 1M 70 yds., Presque Isle Downs

Indian Maid Handicap, 3&up (f&m), $100,000, 1 1-16M (T), Hawthorne

Judy’s Red Shoes Stakes, 3yo fillies, $100,000, 1 1-6M (T), Calder

Kentucky Cup Juvenile Fillies, 2yo fillies, $100,000, 1M, Turfway Park

Needles Stakes, 3yo, $100,000, 1 1-6M (T), Calder

Presque Isle Debutante, 2yo fillies, $100,000, 6F, Presque Isle Downs

H.B.P.A. Stakes, 3&up (f&m), $100,000, 1M 70 yds., Presque Isle Downs

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 28

Norfolk Stakes, 2yo, $250,000, Grade I, 1 1-16M, Oak Tree at Santa Anita

Kelso Handicap, 3&up, $250,000, Grade II, 1M (T), Belmont Park

Oak Tree Mile, 3&up, $200,000, Grade II, 1M (T), Oak Tree at Santa Anita

Miss Grillo Stakes, 2yo fillies, $150,000, Grade III, 1 1-16M (T), Belmont Park

Pilgrim Stakes, 2yo, $150,000, Grade III, 1 1-16M (T), Belmont Park

Ontario Derby, 3yo, $150,000, 1 1-8M, Woodbine.