Chief Stipe

Interesting. How much warning did they give?

Oh that explains it. There were two races abandoned and I thought given the lack of money in the pools that that was the reason. But doh they were abandoned well ahead. Interesting though that the turf looked great, the sun was out and most were wearing shorts and flip flops. Now what is really interesting is were races scheduled for the turf (other than the Grp races which were cancelled) transferred to the dirt?

One thing that I did notice was how close the public can get to the horse. Much closer than an Owner in NZ.

Yep. All about the horse, the Jockey and the Trainer. I'm sure the Owners were well looked after but I couldn't see the BGP there in the stands.

Apparently didn't like the track either.

Sovereignty gains second crown www.racing.com The Godolphin-owned Sovereignty left little doubt as to who is the best three-year-old in the United States when he took out the Belmont Stakes at Saratoga to give him two of the three legs of the Triple Crown in the United States. Just as he did in the first leg of the Triple Crown, the Kentucky Derby, he relegated Journalism to second placing. Sovereignty did not contest the second leg of the Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes, which Journalism was successful in. Journalism surged to the lead on straightening in the Belmont Stakes, but Sovereignty cruised past him soon after and went on to win by three lengths. Sovereignty’s trainer Bill Mott said he was happy with his decision to not contest the second leg of the Triple Crown with his colt. “If we wouldn’t have won today, we would have taken a lot of criticism. It turned out good. Sometimes you make the right decision and a lot of times you make the wrong ones. But today, it really worked out well,” Mott said. Mott said he prioritised the colt’s health and wellbeing over running in the Preakness Stakes. Sovereignty was again ridden by Junior Alvarado who said winning two legs of the Triple Crown was surreal. He said five or six years ago he wondered where his career was going, and he thanked his family for their support.

No more Joliestar for Queensland Winter Carnival www.racenet.com.au Chris Waller confirmed Joliestar won't race again during the Queensland Winter Carnival after the brilliant mare provided the Hall of Fame trainer with a record 19th Group 1 win for the season in the Kingsford Smith Cup at Eagle Farm last Saturday. Joliestar was among the favourites at $11 for next Saturday's Group 1 $3 million Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) and was at top of betting at $2.50 for the Group 1 Tatts Tiara (1400m) on June 28 but Waller said the mare has earned a spell. Clinton Payne - Last 28 Days "She won't have another run in Queensland, that's it, she's having a holiday and we will start planning for the spring,'' Waller told Sky Racing Radio. Although Waller hasn't locked in Joliestar's spring campaign, it will be tempting to again aim the mare at the $20 million The TAB Everest (1200m) at Royal Randwick on October 18. She finished an unlucky seventh behind Bella Nipotina in the world's richest turf race last year. "James McDonald is adamant she should have gone close to winning The Everest last year,'' Waller said. "But I think it is on the short side of her distance range, she is probably better over 1300m or 1400m. "It is a tricky race, The Everest, it is obviously the race everyone wants to win but you sacrifice a few other Group 1 races along the way. "We will see how she is the next few days and work out a plan towards the spring." Joliestar is currently on the fourth line of The Everest betting at $11 behind Hong Kong superstar Ka Ying Rising, who has firmed to $1.80 after he was selected for the slot now owned by the Hong Kong Jockey Club. With three Group 1 races remaining for the season, Waller hopes to enhance his new national record of 19 majors with the Stradbroke and $1 million JJ Atkins (1600m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday. Chris Waller still has more Group 1s in his sights this season. Photo: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images. Waller said he rates Hidden Achievement as his stable's "top seed" for the JJ Atkins. "Hidden Achievement was beaten last start but we saw enough merit in his run to feel he can go close to winning,'' Waller said. "Hopefully, we have James (McDonald) aboard which makes a huge difference and is a big help to my team. "In the Stradbroke, we are just working out if Coleman gets in and we might run Firestorm and Konasana." At Canterbury on Monday, Waller has runners across seven races including first starter Central Coast in the Drinkwise Plate (1250m) to open the program. Central Coast, a superbly bred colt by sire sensation Wootton Bassett out of triple Group 1 winner Sunlight, was purchased for $1.4 million at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale last year. With his big pedigree and impressive recent barrier trial form, it is not surprising Central Coast is the $2.40 TAB Fixed Odds favourite to make a winning debut. McDonald, who rode his 15th Group 1 winner for the season on Joliestar and is closing in on "Miracle" Mal Johnston's all-time record of 16 majors set in 1979-80, is on Central Coast and also partners Waller-trained favourites Gatekeeper ($4.60) in the TAB Handicap (1250m) and Pink Shalala ($2.50) in the closer, the Asahi Super Dry Handicap (1550m). James McDonald and Joliestar after their win in the Kingsford Smith Cup on Saturday. Picture: Grant Peters/Trackside Photography. McDonald has seven rides on the eight-race Canterbury program including for the Godolphin stable on promising filly Blue Willow, the $3.50 favourite for the Ranvet Handicap (1550m). The James Cummings-trained Blue Willow is a half-sister to former Horse of the Year Anamoe, who McDonald rode in eight of the champion's nine Group 1 wins. Blue Willow makes her city debut at Canterbury after three starts at Newcastle for two minor placings before a dominant maiden win in very heavy going two weeks ago.

Anyway good luck Ross in your retirement. I enjoyed talking to you and at age 79? you have been active in Racing a lot longer than most. Outlasted a fair few Jockeys as well!!

I see @curious that not only is @Comic Dog copying your posts directly from BOAY but is copying @Wandering Eyes as well. You read it here first folks. The rest are followers. New Zealands Premier Racing Site is here folks not elsewhere.

Are there Crocs in Saratoga? Or is that just Florida?

LOL one thing I noticed was the difference in clothing between Epsom and Saratoga. The former more formal than the T-shirts and jandals at the latter!

Yeah ran even 13's then threw in a couple of 11's at the 8f and 9f mark which left any chasers gasping.

The winner by Australia (GB) the son of Galileo. Australia (GB) won an Epsom Derby. Initially sto.od at NZ$115k now standing for NZ$25,000.

Geez barely enough to avoid the TAB abandoning betting! $638 in the tote win pool.

A rendition of New York New York and we get a haka. I can't get over how close the public can get to the horses. Mind you if you got kicked you could sue for millions.

They seem to have their irrigation worked out...

I hope Trackside Management and Presenters are watching the ESPN show. Great mix of human interest and great visuals alongside some great presenters. Our race commentators are better though. Love the sound of the horses galloping as well in the race audio.

Mind you Saratoga seems to have 6 very large John Deere tractors doing the work.

Stewards Report on Velocious. I think she is a horse that loses the plot when under pressure. Sam Spratt had a good affinity with her and was able to settle her most of the time. VELOCIOUS – Raced wide for the majority of the event. Commenced to weaken in the home straight. When asked to comment on the performance, Jockey E. Brown stated the filly did not feel comfortable in the going. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities.

I see they groom the track between races. I've always wondered why they don't do that with our AWT's. Harness do it.

Interesting that two races have been abandoned on the NZTAB at Saratoga. I assume due to lack of money in the pools. An hour to go to the Belmont Stakes and $7 in the win pool on the tote!

nup. I see another Super Seth won. Surprised Sought After wasn't there...

Well Velocious travelled well enough but when asked had nothing. Didn't like the track? Not good enough? Or a wind problem again?