Would be interesting.

Two horses of interest comes to mind, a Dubai-based runner named League Champion, who runs for trainer Rashed Bouresly. Of course, no lasix used here, and if you bleed, you wouldn't be allowed to run anyway until clearing a vet. The competition in some of these races wasn't half bad.

20-Mar-09 JEB SHADWELL 1200 Good (d) 85-100 5/16
13-Mar-09 JEB JEBEL ALI SPRI.. 1000 Good (d) Listed 9/16
27-Feb-09 JEB JEBEL ALI SPRI.. 1000 Good (d) Cond 4/16
26-Feb-09 NAD MEYDAN BUSINES.. 1200 Gd/Fm (T) Cond 8/10
20-Feb-09 NAD ETISALAT BLACK.. 1300 Good (T) 95-110 5/10
12-Feb-09 NAD GNADS4U 1400 Fast (d) 95-110 6/10
05-Feb-09 NAD BAHRI 1400 Fast (d) 90-105 5/16
29-Jan-09 NAD DUBAL POWER DASH 1000 Fast (d) 90-105 5/16
23-Jan-09 JEB SHADWELL STABLES 1200 Good (d) 75-100 1/13
22-Jan-09 NAD AL SHINDAGHA S.. 1200 Fast (d) G3 4/12

Or another horse by the same trainer...Star Crowned

20-Feb-09 NAD ETISALAT WASEL.. 1200 Fast (d) 95+ 2/9
12-Feb-09 NAD INSIDEOUT TROPHY 1100 Fast (d) Cond 2/11
05-Feb-09 NAD MARJU TROPHY 1300 Good (T) 100+ 5/12
22-Jan-09 NAD AL SHINDAGHA S.. 1200 Fast (d) G3 2/12
05-Dec-08 JEB SHADWELL FARM 1600 Good (d) Cond 3/8
21-Nov-08 JEB DERRINSTOWN STUD 1000 Fast (d) Cond 1/12
29-Mar-08 NAD DUBAI GOLDEN S.. 1200 Fast (d) G1 3/15

Travis, I want to get an early start on my handicapping. With all the rain that we've been having, what are the chances that the turf stakes will remain on the green? Thanks.

I spoke with our turf crew yesterday... unless the course is unsafe we will be on the turf. Luckily, it looks as though the weather is moving out of here and only scattered stuff will stick around. We're due some good luck!

Are you live on HRTV now or was that taped? Posting while talking to TV....

Excellent. That course can handle a lot of rain. Thanks for the quick response.

I posted while on hold... it was live.

Kind of like walking and chewing gum.

You did well on there, gold star.

Almost! Haha. Thanks!

Red Lead has a good shot to be in the photo at the wire; with the odds and Red Bullett's decent wet track breeding, I'll win bet him.:$:

And Tuscan Chianti in the Happy Ticket

Yep, we will never see a horse like Easy Goer in '89 winning the Whitney, Travers, Woodward, and JCGC (at 1 1/2) and then running in the BCC three weeks later, or Slew O Gold in '84 winning the Whitney, Marlboro, Woodward, and JCGC (at 1 1/2) and then running in the BCC three weeks later.

There was a time in the not so distant past when there was a big race every weekend at Belmont. Now Belmont basically has two big days. This year it is Oct 3 and Oct 10. 8 G1s are run on two Saturdays. It is hard to maintain interest when everything is so spread out. The Woodward and Pac Classic were 2 weeks ago. We still have to wait another two weeks for any meaningful races. All these Grade 2 3 yo Derbies with inflated purses do nothing for me.

I hope everyone who joins us today has a wonderful time. I checked last night and all our premium seating options (suites, Harrah's Club, Skyroom) are sold-out.

And a quick look at the radar shows no "green blobs" ... enjoy!

Well said Travis!

Undercard off the turf

Minimal scratches, sun is around and the track is fast. Big crowd!

Exactly. And this was with the BC around so why people blame the BC for the change in training philosophies is beyond me.

Outside closers are winning almost everything today... off the pace is okay. Blame will be tough, Soul Warrior too now.

Why did Goldophin share the magic oats?

I'm going with Massone in here, hoping he will run them all down in the stretch.

Wow. Bonnie and Clyde couldn't have done it any better. 49.03? 1:13.11? Seriously? Nobody thought "hmm, I better go put some pressure on him"?

Glad for Godolphin but damn, I hate races like that.

Richie is making a LARGE COMEBACK. I beleive he is the regular rider of Flashing, Midshipman and now Regal Ransom.... I would not doubt if he got some of Garcias other Godolphin mounts, after the Kings Bishop DQ.... RM is working hard and he deserves this.