Newmarket in England is holding what is called the ‘July Festival.’ It is a three-day meeting and began on Wednesday and ends on Friday.

On Wednesday, the Group I Falmouth Stakes was run. Nahoodh, unlucky in the running of the 1000 Guineas in May, came away victorious. Rain had rendered the July course soft. Heaven Sent, Infallible and Finsceal Beo were at the head of the market. Nahoodh, now with Mark Johnston, was held up by Frankie Dettori. She came up with an impressive close when let loose. Nahoodh was a 10-1 chance. The margin was one and three quarter lengths. The time for the 1600-metre race on a ‘good to soft’ track was 1 38.6 seconds.

You may remember that a colt named Meydan City was mentioned in one of my reports from London in June. A Kingmambo colt owned by the Godolphin establishment, Meydan City was 5-6 in his debut and finished third in the hands of Philip Robinson at Newmarket.  On Wednesday, in the Xplor Maiden Stakes over 2000 metres, Meydan City, bought for $11,700,000, ran on strongly to land the spoils at 7-1. Frankie Dettori was aboard.

At Nass in Ireland, John Murtagh rode the Aidan O’Brien-trained Zulu Chief to victory.  It was a twilight card on Wednesday. Zulu Chief is by Fusaichi Pegasus, the 2000 Kentucky Derby winner. As the 11-4 chalk at Newmarket in his first start, the O’Brien-trained colt was third. In a 16-horse field at Naas, Zulu Chief was the half money favorite and won by 20 lengths. Yes, twenty lengths.

In the July meeting, the feature on Thursday was the Group II Princess of Wales Stakes. With five scratches because of the underfoot conditions, six went postward. The race was won by Lucarno, Jimmy Fortune up. Lucarno, the 2007 St Leger champion, was dismissed at 6-1 after lackluster efforts recently. Papal Bull, the 2-1 favorite, took the runner-up berth.

Friday’s feature at Newmarket is the Darley July Cup over 1200 metres. It is a Group I race. The winner’s share of the purse is 222,000 pounds.

Sixteen horses have accepted but there are two (doubtful) runners. Kingsgate Native, winner of the Golden Jubilee at Royal Ascot, is the lukewarm favorite. Marchand D’Or had trouble in the running of the Golden Jubilee and reopposes. War Artist and Benbaun are in the field. Kingsgate Native won the Nunthorpe last year as a freshman. He was later second in the Prix d’Abbaye on Arc day at Longchamp. Kingsgate Native and Marchand D’Or are 10-3 joint favorites.

A Kentucky judge has denied a motion to sell Curlin. The minority owners whose interests are now vested in a court-appointed receiver, made the request. The decision was good news for Jess Jackson, the majority owner.

Curlin will take on six rivals in the Man O’ War Stakes at Belmont Park on Saturday. It will be Curlin’s grass debut. It is a 2200-metre race and is a Grade I event.

Robbie Albarado arrived at Belmont Park late on Thursday to get reacquainted with Curlin and get a handle on the track conditions.  Curlin will carry 116 pounds.

Jess Jackson, majority owner, expressed his optimism. “Curlin is a truly remarkable horse. I’m excited about sharing him with racing fans around the world. Saturday’s race will be another test in Curlin’s campaign to be the best horse ever, regardless of surface, competition or continent.”

Calder at Miami hosts the Grade I Princess Rooney  on Saturday. Dream Rush and Miraculous Miss head the field. The Princess Rooney is a ‘you win and you’re in’ race. The winner of the race gets a berth in the Breeders’ Cup.

Another ‘you win and you’re in race’ is the Grade I Delaware handicap at Delaware Park on Sunday. Unbridled Belle and Hystericallady are the two top contenders.