Two apprentice jockeys lost their lives in a fire in North Yorkshire early Saturday. One was Jan Wilson, 19, who had ridden with some success in recent weeks. The other was Jamie Kyne, 18, who had 29 winners this year. Jamie Spencer summed it all up making a reference to Kyne. “I am shocked, devastated. I tipped Jamie up to be a future star. You could see he was something special. He was in a different league. It is a terrible tragedy. We will miss tremendous talent.”

Indian fans will recall that Fergal Lynch who rode in India. Jockey Lynch admitted to wrongdoing and his license was taken away by the British Horseracing Authority. Lynch was leading rider at Philadelphia Park (Pennsylvania) and has surrendered his licence to the Pennsylvania authorities. Lynch will not be permitted to ride in the US for 12 months after which his case will be reviewed in the light of action taken in Britain.

Jockey Tyler Baze’s little finger in his left hand was broken on August 22. He returned to action on Friday. His first mount was Carlsbad in the Grade III Rancho Bernardo Handicap over 1,300 metres. Carlsbad won the race in a time of 1 14.93, beating the 1 15.17 record set last year. With the finger heavily taped, Baze showed no ill effects.

“I am touched. To come back and ride Carlsbad as my first mount, it is so special. And to break the record, it is sweet,” jockey Baze exulted.

Zensational made it three Group I wins in a row on Sunday at Del Mar. Victor Espinoza steered the Bob Baffert-trained speedball to a start to finish victory in the $300,000 Pat O’Brien stakes. Zensational ran the 1,400 metres in 1 22.31 and returned $2.60. The winning margin was two and a quarter lengths. There is a place waiting for Zensational in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint. Zensational has won five times from seven starts and has earnings of $609,300. Unbridled’s Song is Zensational’s sire. The dam is Joke by Phone Trick.

Trainer Bob Baffert spoke. “I am glad that it was a you win and you’re in race. That was always the plan. We will not run until the Breeders’ Cup. We will freshen him up.”

Rachel Alexandra made it eight for eight in 2009 with a win in the Grade I Woodward Stakes at Saratoga on Saturday. The Woodward win gave the Medaglia d’Oro filly nine wins in succession. Here are other facts. It was the first time that the Woodward was won by a filly. Rachel Alexandra became the first three year-old girl to win a Grade I route dirt race in New York since 1887. Horse of the Year honours await the filly and it will be the first time that a sophomore girl will win the award since 1945.

Calvin Borel had the filly in front. Da’ Tara, the 2008 Belmont Stakes winner, disputed the lead. The half came in 46.41. Rachel Alexandra led after 1200 metres in a time of 1 10.54. Bullsbay, emerging from the seven-horse chasing pack, and challenged. Borel found another gear. With the wire looming large, Macho Again, responding to Robby Albarado’s call, made a late charge. The lead was being whittled down and the filly lasted to win. It was a head. The 1800-metre Woodward was run in 1 48.29. The win return was $2.60.

Jockey Borel, who was unseated before the post parade, paid tribute. “It was a great race. She stepped up and proved to be the best. She is a three year-old who went up against older. Who knows how good she is! She was aggressive today. Rather fresh after a five-week layoff. Last 40 yards, I was worried but she dug in.”

Steve Asmussen, Rachel Alexandra’s trainer, commented, “I can’t say enough about the race she put in today. She is a true champion. She is a spectacular athlete.”

On Sunday, the Grade I Pacific Classin was run at Del Mar. There was a shock result. A 24-1 chance, Richard’s Kid, Mike Smith up, beat Einstein by a neck. It was the sixth win in 19 starts for Richard’s Kid and the first win in graded stakes competition. The 2000-metre race on the polytrack was run in 2 02.39. Richard’s Kid now has a berth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Bob Baffert, the winning trainer, said, “I told Smith (the jockey) to give me a Hall of Fame ride and that’s what he did. Richard’s Kid has been training great here. I knew he will be good on a synthetic track.”

It was the second win for trainer Baffert in the Pacific Classic. General Challenge won in 1999 for Baffert. Richard’s Kid is by Lemon Drop Kid. Tough Broad is the dam and she is by Carson City.

Mike Smith explained his ride: “He was smooth as silk. He’s a heavy-muscled horse, the kind that tend to tie up on you. He was just doing great today. He was rolling along all the way. So sweet.”

Leopardstown (outside Dublin) hosted the Irish Champion Stakes on Saturday. I was able to see the text commentary. Thirty minutes after the race, the call was replayed on Sportinglife.com and Des Scahill, the best in the business in Ireland, was the announcer.

  It was a two and one half length win for Sea The Stars. Now, the John Oxx trainee has a berth in the Breeders’ Cup Turf. Nine ran and Mick Kinane had the Cape Cross colt in mid-division as fast fractions were set. Aidan O’Brien had five runners. Mastercrafrtsmaman was the first to move. Fame And Glory went around Sea The Stars, the 10-11 favourite, and struck the front as the race took a serious turn. When jockey Kinane alerted the champion colt to his task, the complexion of the race changed instantly. The 2000-metre race was run in 2.3.90 seconds.

Trainer Oxx talked about his prize pupil. “The horse will decide where to go next and not the owner or the trainer. He has had a run every month since May. That is five Group Ones in as many months. We will take it one race at a time.”

The 50 year-old Mick Kinane spoke about what Sea The Stars has done to his career. “To find a horse like him at this stage of my life is fantastic. He is the best one I have ridden. It’s phenomenal how well he can travel. He is never in trouble. He can do it at any distance.”

I spent the weekend in Du Quoin in southern Illinois. Du Quoin hosted a five-day harness meeting. Saturday’s feature was the $540,000 World Trotting Derby. Muscle Hill, a 1-9 favourite. won. In early August, Muscle Hill, a three year-old, won the Hambletonian, a million dollar event at the Meadowlands in New Jersey. Late in August, Muscle Hill took the $200,000 American National at Balmoral Park in Crete, Illinois.

I am in Fredonia, Kentucky and will be here until early Tuesday. In Fredonia, my wife and I are staying in a farmhouse. This is rural America. We are with a friend, Marge Tinsley, whose late husband was my boss when I started working in Chicago.