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I wonder if Europe is obsessing hard over Goldikova’s baby boy as much as people here are obsessing over Rachel’s and Zenyatta’s. One out of these three doing badass would be a pleasing percentage.

Proof Frankel’s baby brother is going to be even better than him: HE HAS A BLAZE!

I’m already sick of this dumb Kentucky Derby points system. One of the biggest motivating factors behind it is that it’ll be “easier” for the public to follow. Ok, maybe? But wouldn’t winning the big races that ought to be televised be even more of a help? The Santa Anita Derby, the Florida Derby, the Wood, the Arkansas… come on now…

My mother the pedigrees-I-know/buttcapper will be dismayed to hear that Quiet American has been pensioned. So much sad.

I am so unbelievably pissed at Joel Rosario for that shitty ride on Animal Kingdom. Who was it on here that hated him already? Was it you Paige?

One horse I forgot to mention but meant to in my last Derby Top 10 update: Texas Bling, the super longshot that won the Springboard Mile. He’s an Oklahoma bred and an underdog at that, but he’s been working super well according to reports. On a similar note, Dewey Square may try turf… his last workout earlier today was over it.

There goes Coolmore jumping the shark again by buying an interest in Verrazano.

I am dying I want to see Gary Stevens ride in the flesh so bad.

There’s not much to see yet brewing in Dubai: Travers (I) champ Alpha ran last in the Al Maktoum Challenge (II) while Lovely Pass won the UAE 1000 Guineas in achingly slow time (1:39 flat for the mile).

Rumor has it Keeneland is looking to rip out their poly in favor of dirt. I’m all for it; handicapping would be made easier and horsemen would take competing on the surface much more seriously. History is full of doubters when it comes to horses who only win on synthetic.

As I continue working on my Oaks Top 10, I’m keen to include a filly of Phil Simms’, partially because of her name: Miffed, a three-year-old daughter of Purge, who is worth watching.

Sweet baby Street Life is off to be a California sire. All dreams of him standing in New York are dashed.

An old favorite in Wasted Tears just had her first foal, but I died when I saw that it was a colt by Malibu Moon. Ugh. No. At least he has a cool facial marking?

Tweet o’ the Week: More cute babby picture time, this one by Even the Score

I’ve always wanted to go visit Chicago. If only I could make it there for the Arlington Million (I). Someday…

Pimlico made an awesome movie trailer-like tribute to I’ll Have Another over here. Watch it when you can.

Even horse racing paparazzi Adam “Moosh” had issues finding affordable headspace at Saratoga. Feels bad man!

Why the hell was Holy Candy the favorite in the Oceanside Stakes? Have you heard of Chips All In at all?

Not that I’ve been really impressed yet, but Almighty Brown is definitely my favorite two-year-old. Chestnut, blaze, and a son of Big Brown! Think he’ll be a grass-dirt freak like his dad?

The next star son of Galileo is named Mars. Easy one to remember.

Rest in peace to the legend Frank “Pancho” Martin, who otherwise probably would have had a Triple Crown winner in Sham.

The racing gods heard my bitching: Saratoga is offering free wi-fi backed by a Fastnet mobile wagering application. No more fighting off crowds! (Hopefully it works!)

If the feed’s been a little slow this past week post count-wise, it’s because I was mourning Union Rags. He’s not dead, but in a way it feels like he is. I felt the same way when Blind Luck was pulled out of contention last year.

Could Frankel beat Danedream in the Arc? Hmm…

Sorry race organizers! I do not want to run in your race to benefit tornado victims (still having issues around here?). Instead I want to spend the day nomming food and picking ponies in Saratoga. You were supposed to be held in September anyway!

Congrats to Barbaro’s little brother Lentenor on a stakes win yesterday!

If it were up to Rick Porter, he’d breed his Horse of the Year Havre de Grace to Bernardini if he weren’t planning to sell her auction. No no no… pick something else… I don’t understand how people can say he is the best stallion on the market right now…

Looks like Godolphin has another live three-year-old filly this year with Questing [GB].

My first Bluegrass Cat love has been retired due to a liver inflammation. Cheers, Kathmanblu.

New name to add to the “best pony names” book: Thewifedoesntknow. And he’s cute!

Tweet o’ the Week

I managed to pry myself out of bed early enough to catch the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (I) at Ascot, and it was yet another exciting affair to catch Frankel in all his glory as he stretched his undefeated streak over class horses. 

The three-year-old son of Galileo was a picture of peace and perfection in a light gallop to the post, with jockey Tom Queally doing well to calm the horse and they were quickly loaded second-last with the filly Immortal Verse.

Straight out of the gate was the lightning pacesetter and half older brother to Frankel, the aptly-named Bullet Train, who set up a dizzying leading margin down the grass chute. In behind Bullet Train galloped highly-regarded Dick Turpin, second-favorite Excelebration, and then Side Glance with Frankel sitting in a stalking position behind them, Immortal Verse tracking in last. Longshot Dubawi Gold began inching up the field midway, but so was Frankel, with Tom Queally making sure his snug hold was not loosened on the eager colt.

With three furlongs to go, Queally set the hot favorite loose after Bullet Train, who was beginning to tire after stampeding away from the others. Excelebration tried to go with him, but Frankel’s infamous quick turn of foot separated him from the pack like a hot knife through butter. Frankel passed Bullet Train and opened up wide on the field, easily winning again by five or so lengths.

Excelebration caught for second, Immortal Verse third, and Dubawi Gold fourth.

It yet another undisputed win for the undefeated Frankel, who is arguably the world’s best miler, with a clear win over this strong group of graded winners. However, there’s another “what if” sprinkled over the performance due to the presence of the rabbit Bullet Train, but it was evident yet again that few horses can match the fast-striding Frankel coming down to the wire. Another great win for a magnificent horse, who I look forward to seeing again next year as a four-year-old.

A monumental upset blew the crowd of thousands away as the lone three-year-old Nathaniel [pictured] marched to victory, as did the tragic breakdown of another talented runner.

Dual group 1 winner Rewilding took a misstep two furlongs from the wire, breaking his left front cannon bone. He was euthanized following the race.

As for the other four horses in the field, Arc winner Workforce was the obvious favorite, but could not reach pacemaker Nathaniel, a longshot son of Galileo. Nathaniel raced alongside fellow longshot Debussy at a slow pace for most of the race before being challenged as the two turned for home. Nathaniel fired strongly at the challenge, and won by 2 3/4 lengths over Workforce, who began hanging toward the outer rail when spurred to action. St. Nicholas Abbey finishing third 1 1/4 lengths behind him. The final time for the 12-furlong event was 2:35:07 over soft turf.

With the win, Nathaniel has earned a paid berth to the Breeders’ Cup Turf event in November, but has plans to also shoot for the Arc along the way.