Stephen Foster could provide handicap division leader

[twogunsid]

From DRF.com: The end of the first half of the racing season typically comes with the Belmont Stakes, a race that proved conclusively last Saturday that the North American 3-year-old division of 2011 is a jumble.

The second half begins Saturday at Churchill Downs with the Grade 1 Stephen Foster Handicap, a race that will endeavor to unscramble the 2011 handicap division, which also has lacked clear-cut leadership.

Good luck with that.

“The older-horse division certainly appears to be wide open,” said Chris Block, who will send out the 122-pound highweight, Giant Oak, in the 30th running of the $500,000 Foster. “But I’d say somebody there Saturday is going to jump up and run well and really move themselves up the ladder.”

http://www.drf.com/news/churchill-downs-stephen-foster-could-provide-handicap-division-leader

Entries for today's card at Churchill: http://www.drf.com/race-entries/CD/USA/2011-06-18/D

Free PP's for the Stephen Foster: http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbNTRAGetFreeFF.cfm?TRK=CD&RD=06/18/11&CTY=USA&DE=D&RN=12

A good day of racing with several important stakes races at Churchill, Belmont(Ogden Phipps) and Hollywood(Vanity). - tgs

[twogunsid]

1. Street Game wins the Hill Prince at Belmont...

and Awesome Maria beats Payton d'Oro in the Ogden Phipps. Awesome Maria looks like a very good filly.

Video Replay from NYRA (you have to register, but it's free): http://www.nyra.com/Belmont/Broadcast/Video/Video.shtml

**UPDATE**
Video for the Hill Prince: http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/utils/flash_pop.aspx?vp=Today&vc=1&vid1=mp4%3a2011%2f771%2f201106181643BED8_771.f4v

Video for the Ogden Phipps: http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/utils/flash_pop.aspx?vp=Today&vc=1&vid1=mp4%3a2011%2f771%2f201106181715BED9_771.f4v

[twogunsid]

4. Update on Unrivaled Belle...

From drf.com: Unrivaled Belle broke her withers when she fell backward waiting to be saddled for Saturday’s Grade 1 Ogden Phipps Handicap at Belmont Park and was subsequently retired from racing, her connections announced early Saturday evening.

Trainer Bill Mott said he guessed immediately that Unrivaled Belle had broken her withers and X-rays taken back at the barn confirmed his suspicions. While Mott said he has had horses return to the races and win following such an injury, there isn’t enough time remaining in the year to get Unrivaled Belle back. She was going to be retired at year’s end.

“If she were a gelding you’d give her six months off and she’d come back and she’d be fine,’’ Mott said. “By the time you give her the time to heal up the year’s going to be over. We’ve had horses do that before, it’s not an uncommon injury. I’ve had horses come back and win races before, I had horses come back and win a stake.’’

Unrivaled Belle has been known to be difficult in the paddock and on the track prior to her races. Mott expressed frustration over what he felt was an inordinate amount of time Unrivaled Belle was in the paddock before the tack was brought out.

http://www.drf.com/news/belmont-park-unrivaled-belle-injured-paddock-retired

[twogunsid]

2. Pool Play win Stephen Foster pays $75.20 /$29.40 /$14.60

Stephen Foster video - http://www.ntra.com//videos/index/view/OTE2

Regret Stakes video - http://www.ntra.com//videos/index/view/OTE1

Matt Winn video - http://www.ntra.com//videos/index/view/OTEz

Jefferson Cup video - http://www.ntra.com//videos/index/view/OTEx

[twogunsid]

3. Pants On Fire rebounds and wins the Pegasus at Monmouth...

http://www.ntra.com//videos/index/view/OTE0

[twogunsid]

5. Blind Luck scores in the Vanity Handicap....

http://www.ntra.com//videos/index/view/OTE3