There have been six catastrophic breakdowns at Del Mar in a ten-day period that includes the first week of racing. Three have been in morning work, two while racing and one in a turf race.

In California, Santa Anita has what is called a pro ride surface. Hollywood Park boasts of a cushion track. Del Mar has a polytrack. I do not know the differences. I understand what a polytrack is in general terms. I will find out and pass the information on.

The exodus from conventional dirt was supposed to minimize physical injury to horses. The jury is out. What is now happening at Del Mar has prompted a debate. No answers have emerged yet. However, the explanation has been that breakdowns occur in clusters at the beginning of a campaign. A change of surface is something many horses do not take to kindly.

Dr Rick Arthur, Equine Medical Director for the California Horse Racing Board, offers an opinion. “If you were jogging on the side of the road and then you started jogging on the sand or the beach, apparently, you’re putting different stresses on different structures when you change surfaces.”

I spoke to Christophe Lemaire on Saturday- about noon Chicago time. He confirned he will be in Chicago to ride Cima de Triomphe in the Arlington Million on August 8. “The details, I do not know yet. I hope to be in Chicago early Saturday. I will have to be in Paris for the races at Deauville. So, I will leave Chicago immediately after my ride.”

The Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park is on Sunday. I called Dr K K Jayaraman whose Summer Bird opposes Rachel Alexandra in the 1.25 million dollar event. We exchanged pleasantries. “Summer Bird is doing well. We are facing a super filly. I am hoping for the best, “ Dr K K said.

Rachel Alexandra is the 4-5 morning line pick in the 1800-metre Haskell. The Medaglia d’Oro filly has drawn post 6. The presence of two Triple Crown winners in this year’s Haskell has sparked extraordinary interest.

Steve Asmussen, Rachel Alexandra’s trainer commented on the post. “I think it’s an excellent draw for us in a seven horse field. There should not be a lot of traffic for anybody.”

The Haskell is part of a marathon 14-race card that gets under way at noon Eastern time. Atomic Rain is reportedly suffering from a sore foot and is unlikely to run.

The five-day Glorious Goodwood meeting ended on Saturday. There was rain. Visibility was poor. Ryan Moore won the leading jockey title. More on Goodwood in my next report.

Well Armed won the Dubai World Cup in March and got a 3.6 million-dollar check. The Eoin Harty trainee goes in Sunday’s Grade II $250,000 San Diego Handicap at Del Mar. The San Diego Handicap is a prep race for the Pacific Classic to be run on September. Aaron Gryder continues the partnership. Eoin Harty has made several pronouncements confirming the readiness of his prize pupil.

Trainer Harty has another high profile runner in his stable. Colonel John was the 4-1 second favorite in the 2008 Kentucky Derby won by Big Brown. Colonel John, a Tiznow colt, made his 2009 debut on the grass at Del Mar on Friday when there was a twilight program. The race was the $85,000 Wickerr Stakes over 1600 metres on the grass, With Garrett Gomez in the irons, the Colonel was a tepid 24-10 favorite. Fifth and then fourth, Colonel John surged three-wide in the final turn and drew clear. Trainer Harty confirmed that Colonel John’s target is the BC Classic in November.

Saratoga in upstate New York has been plagued by rain. The track has been sloppy and many grass races have been moved to the main track. There have been several withdrawals.

On Thursday at Saratoga, the ninth race was the Grade II Sanford Stakes for freshmen. It was a 1200-metre contest. Backtalk, a Smarty Jones colt, had made a winning debut on June 11 at Churchill Downs. On July 3, Backtalk, from the Tom Amoss barn, won the Grade III Bashford Manor at Churchill with a measure of comfort as the 8-10 choice. On the basis of those two wins, Backtalk was the favorite in the Sanford Stakes. Jockey Miguel Mena employed come-from-behind tactics and got up to win in the closing stages. Smarty Jones won the Derby and the Preakness in 2004 and ran second in the Belmont Stakes. Now, his progeny is holding the family’s flag high. The Sanford is the first graded stakes that helps to sort the two year-olds out. Backtalk has moved to the top in the pecking order.

Saratoga hosts two important races on Saturday. The first is the Diana Stakes, a Grade I event with a $500,000 purse. It is a grass race over 1800 metres for distaffers. Forever Together won the Diana in 2008 and seeks an encore. A Belong To Me (by Danzig) mare, Forever Together will be ridden by Julien Leparoux. Forever Together, a double millionaire, is trained by Jonathan Sheppard.

The Jim Dandy for sophomores is the other big attraction at Saratoga on Saturday. It is a Grade II race over 1800 metres on the dirt track. There is a seven-horse field. Kensei, winner of the Dwyer at Belmont Park, is the 5-2 favorite. Charitable Man, winner of the Peter Pan, was fourth in the Belmont Stakes and is a 4-1 chance. Warrior’s Reward stumbled as the odds on favorite in the Dwyer and is back for amends.

Mallesh Narredu is headed to London this week. He will be at Ascot on August 8 to compete in the Shergar Cup. Please write a note wishing him good luck in Horse Talk.