However there are some interesting races around the world.
In the UK it's up north to Haydock for the Haydock Sprint Cup over 1200m and great to see a line up of 16 runners. Inisherin is favourite on 7/2 for Kevin Ryan and Tom Eaves and then we are going wider with Givemethebeatboys 10/1 for Jessica Harrington and Shane Foley and even wider with Annaf 16/1 for Michael Appleby and Rossa Ryan.
In France the big news this week is that they are going to allow geldings into the Arc. We have been banging on for ages about getting rid of the "no geldings" races as it seems a ridiculous restriction in this day and age with a huge gene pool available. Highlight of Sunday's Longchamp meeting is the Prix du Moulin de Longchamp G1 over 1600m with 7 runners. We don't have the prices yet for this but Charyn has everything going for him but we will put a bit of the hard-earned on Caramelito who has worked his way up stead. ily through the grades and was third in the Messidor at his last outing. Notable Speech could also be in the mix.
In America Kentucky Downs has a big Saturday card featuring the Franklin-Simpson Gr 1 for 3yos over 1300m turf with a full field of 12 and 4 emergencies. Mansa Muse is on 4/1 for Mott-Alvarado, Howard Wolomitz 9/2 for d'Angelo- I Ortiz and we like Apollo Ten here on 6/1 for Clement-Gaffalione.
The Music City Gr 2 over 1300m turf for the 3yo fillies and again a field of 12 + 4. Pounce is a lovely filly and on 7/2 for Casse-Davis, Buttercream Babe is on 9/2 for Maker-I Ortiz and Vive Veuve 5/1. If Twirling Queen makes it into the field she would be worth backing on 4/1.
The Kentucky Turf Cup is Gr 2 over 2400m turf with 11 runners headed by McCaughey's Integration on 8/5 with Carmouche booked for the ride. There's a raider here in O'Brien's Chief Little Rock with Dettori, who is riding as well as ever, in the saddle. Highway Robber is on 6.1 for Lynch-Loveberry.
At Del Mar on Saturday there's the Debutante over 1400m for the 2yo fillies with 7 to run. Baffert's Nooni is on 4/5 with J J Hernandez riding the daughter of Win Win Win. Vodka with a Twist is on 7/2 for d'Amato-Smith.
On Sunday there's the Futurity for the 2yo boys over the same trip with 7 to run and it looks like it could be between the Baffert pupils Getaway Car and Citizen Bull.
