3 minute read

It happened in the 8th race on Saturday's card when a 3yo colt suffered a "catastrophic breakdown".

This was the 32nd horse to die since December 26th which is of course a very busy time at the track.  Since then some remedial measures have been put in place but the worrying thing about this incident is that the horse seems to have suffered fractures to both front forelegs.  There is to be an investigation of course but at the same time if I had a "win and you're in" ticket to the Breeders' Cup I am not sure that I would be taking it up.

Anyhow back to the races themselves.  The Rodeo Drive Gr 1 saw Mirth, a 6/1 shot, defeat the fancied Beau Recall in a 6 horse race over 1800m on the turf track.

A colourful upset in the Awesome Again when the win went to the Enebish Ganbat trained Mongolian Groom who won at 25/1.  He defeated the odds-on favourite McKinzie who was arguably hampered by the lack of pace in the race.  Mongolian Groom comes from the Mongolian Stable which produced Mongolian Saturday and his runs were accompanied by the very colourful cohort of owners in national dress.  While this win gives Mongolian Groom an entry into the Breeders' Cup Classic he would have to be supplemented and Ganbat is undecided about this and may prefer to send the horse to a race in Asia.

At Belmont there was a close finish to the Jockey Club Cup where Vino Rosso was first over the line but was dq'd after the jockey of Code of Honor lodged a protest and the placings were reversed.

The Vosburgh went to Imperial Hint by a nose to Firenze Fire and the Beldame was no problem for Midnight Bisou who continues her winning ways this time with a victory over Wow Cat.