Super Weekend!

Final Preperations for the Breeder's Cup really start get going tomorrow at Belmont, 5 G1's in 5 dividesons (Classic, Ladies Classic, Turf, F/M Turf, Sprint). Here is a breakdown of each race,

Beldame- A small field of 5 including the coupled entry of Captains Lover (SAF) and 07 Beldame winner Unbridled Belle. However, 4 time G1 winner Music Note is the one to beat, she won the Ballerina last time out (over Indian Blessing and Informed Decideson both who came back to win). Also she finally is rounding back into form. There is some rain in the forcast, and that might give Belle in advantage. She won the Obeah in the mud, however she doesn't care for it with a dismal proformance in the 07 Breeder's Cup Distaff. I gotta go with those two preferably Unbridled Belle on top as this more then likely will be her final start of her career.

Flower Bowl- One word: Dynaforce. The Beverly D champ comes back to defend her Flower Bowl title. Criticsisim may give her a run for her money, but the daughter of Dynaformer is my pick for the race. And in all honesty, if she wins this I think she can upset the Euros and Forever Together in the F/M Turf (Unless my Arc pick comes over, but I'll get to that race in a little bit).

Vosburgh- Like the Beldame, a small field but very talented. I'm going to go right away and throw out Munnings. With rain in the forcast, and his last two races he ran okay over it (a pair of thirds, Haskell (which he wouldn't have won anyway) and the King's Bishop (which he should have won)). Instead I'm going with the 1-2 from the Vanderbilt, except in reverse order. So, I'm putting my boy Go Go Shoot first and hopefully Fablous Strike finishes second.

Joe Hirish Turf Classic Invit.- Will he go, or won't he? That is the question. Gio Ponti, who could be the one to beat in the BC Turf (unless Sea the Stars comes over) could instead go out to California for his final prep. With that being said, he and Al Khali are my picks. Pressious Passion is another one, but I'm concerned about the soft turf with him. The last time he ran over a course like that he finished last.

Jockey Club Gold Cup- Outside of the Belmont, this is the big race at the Elmont track. Summer Bird can become the first horse since Easy Goer in 1989 to win the Belmont, Travers and Jockey Gold Cup. That's pretty amazing to be mentioned in the same breath as the arch rival to Sunday Silence. However, I'm going to say he comes up just a bit short in that bid. Instead, I'm going with my heart and going with Dry Martini. He's trained by one of my favorite trainers in Barclay Tagg, and ridden by Edgar Prado. Like Summer Bird, Dry Martini has a win at this distance of mile and quarter with a win in the Suburban in July. However, with the possible rain I do like Summer Bird here and really wouldn't be suprised if he wins. Macho Again who is trying to become the lastest lose to Girl Wonder Rachel (Alexandra) and win next time out. Asiatic Boy is trying to rebound from his first off the board finish in the US. As for the other three year old in the race, Quality Road, as useal I'm tossing him. I really don't get the hype and the last time he ran at this distance he failed miserbly. So my top four in any order are Summer Bird, Dry Martini, Macho Again and Asiatic Boy. Preferably with either Summer Bird or Dry Martini on top.

Also this weekend: a pair of juvi races at Oak Tree, a pair of juvi turf races at Belmont, Cal Cup (Lava Man's half brother Enriched goes in the Cal Cup Mile), Goldikova runs in her final prep for her title defence in the BC Mile, and the Arc. I see Sea the Stars and Stacelita both going down this weekend, and I'm going with Dar Re Mi (to get revenge on the French) and defending BC Turf champ Conduit. If Dar Re Mi wins, it would be back to back titles for fillies (the undefeated Zarkava won last year).

Also a few notes, Commentator will be going to Old Friends. And sadly, the dam of Ashado, Sunriver and Ballado's Halo (dam of one of my favorite colts Speight the Halo), Goulash lost her battle with laminatis. I will have a full recap of this past weekends races on Sunday.