Jockey John Velasquez was riding a horse named Tap Dancing in a maiden race at Keeneland on Friday. A runner clipped the heels of another and there was a spill. Velasquez could not avoid the fallen horse and went down. First reports suggested that Velsasquez was injured seriously. Dr Barry Schumer, Keeneland’s Medical Director, stated that jockey Velasquez was moving his extremities and that he was conscious. Two-time winner of the Eclipse award, Jockey Velasquez has ridden with distinction and primarily draws his mounts from the Todd Pletcher yard.

The sun was shining as I was left for Longchamp on Saturday. The track played fair. Both front runners and those coming off the pace were equally effective. Favorites took a holiday with one exception.

It was a smooth train ride. I had to change trains. The final leg of the journey was a short trip in a bus to the racecourse. Buses are provided by France-Galop. It is a great arrangement.

You can pick up a program free at the entrance. It is in French. You can get a two-sided sheet that has the horses, riders, owners and trainer. The pedigrees of the runners and the last five or six starts (where the horse finished) and the ages and the sex of the horses are also in the sheet. If you need detailed past performance lines, you need to buy Paris Turf, a French publication. On special days in France when Irish and English runners compete, Racing Post, the British racing paper, is available.

There were two Group I races at Longchamp on Saturday. Christophe Soumillon rode the winners of these two races. He was aboard the Richard Hannon-trained Paco Boy in the 1400-metre Prix de La Foret. The 3-2 favorite, Paco Boy waited.. Helay seventh and sixth and was taken wide for his move. With 200 metres to run, Paco Boy was asked to go and in a matter of moments, the issue was put to bed. Paco Boy, a Richard Hughes ride, had Soumillon because Hughes was at Newmarket.

The Prix du Cadran was won in 2007 by Le Miracle. A piping hot favorite, Yeats could not deliver. History was repeated on Saturday. Yeats was the 7/10 choice in the Cadran. John Murtagh had Yeats settle in third. When called on by his jockey, Yeats, to the dismay of the fans, did not quicken. Bannaby, trained by C Lerner and handled by jockey Soumillon, was fourth and shot to the front to take a winning lead with about 300 metres to run.
Soumillon’s riding form must give Zarkava’s connections a great deal of confidence. Saturday was a dry day. If the rain stays away on Sunday, Zarkava’s chances will be excellent. In Europe, fillies race often with the boys.

At Newmarket, Darkina was second to Halfway To Heaven in the Sun Chariot. Trainer Aidan O’Brien was at Newmarket. Ridden by Semaus Heffernan, Halfway To Heaven made it all and won by one half length. Halfway To Heaven, an 8-1 chance, has already won the Irish 1000 Guineas and the Nassau at Goodwood this year.

Aidan O’Brien paid tribute to Heffernan’s riding skill. “Seamie gave the winner a great ride. We may race Halfway To Heaven in the BC filly-mare mile.”

Darjina was ridden by Richard Hughes. Alain Royer Dupre, the trainer said, “she has run very well. Shs has been the bridesmaid in all her races this year. The number is six. This will be her last race in her career.”

The Cambridgeshire (Heritage Handicap) at Newmarket had 28 runners. The race went to the 25-1 chance, Tazeez, Richard Hills up. John Gosden trains Tazeez. Richard Hughes rode Swop, the 7-1 public choice and finished third. Mutajarred, the Hills mount, was scratched and Hills became available. Tazeez won by a length and earned 100,000 pounds. .

At Keeneland on Friday, Forever Together beat Precious Kitten in the $400,000 First Lady. Forever Together, ridden by Julien Leparoux, ran down the favored Precious Kitten.The winner of Saratoga’s Diana, Forever Together ran the 1600-metre grass race in 1 35. The winning dividend was $7.00.

Julien Leparoux said, “she is very good. She has a very good kick. She is one of the best fillies in the country.”

Also at Keeneland, Dream Express came away a winner in the Alcibiades. It was a bloodless four and one quarter length win for Dream Express. Robbie Albarado was the rider. Dream Express clocked 1 43.82 for 1800 metres on the polytrack. Mani Bhavan, the chalk, set the pace and threw in the towel when looked in the eye.

Jockey Albarado was immensely pleased. “There was abundant speed. I bided my time. She got in front late in the race and kind of put hear ears up. She is classy and I was just a passenger.”

The two-day extravaganza at Longchamp is being sponsored by the Qatar racing club. There is a separate section for the press from Qatar. There are banners everywhere.