Indian Blessing advertised her claims to the Breeders’ Cup sprint in a big way when running away with the Gallant Bloom handicap at Belmont Park on Sunday. The Indian Charlie filly made it all. She had company until the last turn and widened her advantage when let loose in the stretch. The winning margin was six and one quarter lengths. Five ran and Indian Blessing clocked 1 16.24 for the 1300-metre trip and was the 35/100 favourite. Sugar Swirl, Indian Blessing’s principal foe, was a late scratch.

Winning jockey Corey Nakatani was unable to hold his enthusiasm in check. “I was pretty patient waiting to call on her turning for home. When I did, she kicked away and did what she had to. It was like driving a Ferrari.”

Indian Blessing’s next race is likely to be in the BC sprint. The BC races will be run at Santa Anita in California on October 24 and 25.

The Ayr Gold Cup on Saturday went to Regal Parade. Ridden by William Carson, an apprenctice claiming a five-pound allowance, Regal Parade, trained by David Nicholls, was an 18-1 chance. On heavy going, Regal Parade came off the pace and beat Tajneed, another Nicholls trainee. Regal Parade won by two and one quarter lengths and covered 1200 metres in 1 15.48.

Seattle Smooth beat the strongly fancied Proud Spell in the Fitz Dixon Cotillion at Philadelphia Park on Saturday. A Quiet American filly, Seattle Smooth was too quick for Proud Spell when the heat was on.  She won by two and one half lengths. The 1700-metre race was run in 1 42.58. Proud Spell managed to get the runner-up berth. Seattle Smooth paid $8.40.

Seattle Smooth won the Go For Wand Stakes at Delaware Park on August 30 and is in line for a hat trick. Where Proud Spell will race next was not revealed.

The Grade II $515,00 Louisiana Derby on Saturday was won by My Pal Charlie. Curt Bourque was the winning rider. My Pal Charlie had been playing second fiddle to Pyro in some high profile races. A 6-1 chance, My Pal Charlie won going away by four and one quarter lengths.

Trainer Albert Stall, Jr said, “we’re thrilled to death. He’s had a great year. This is a win he deserved.”

Jockey Curt Bourque expressed his delight. “I was just the pilot. He was sharp. He was pulling hard but settled down. Everything worked out great.”

Commentator made mincemeat of his rivals in the $500,000 Massachusetts handicap at Suffolk Down on Saturday. It was a 14-length win and Commentator ran 1800 metres in 1 48.97. The return was $2.20.

Trainer Nick Zito spoke about Suffolk’s policy toward horse slaughter.”I am here because of the track’s zero tolerance policy toward horse slaughter. It is one of the ugliest things.”

Zito would not disclose Commentator’s future plans. “I’ll go back to the barn and ask him (Commentator) and I will let him tell me. He is going to tell me what his next race will be.”

Commentator has secured a berth in the BC Classic by virtue of his win in Saratoga’s Whitney Handicap. Thirteen wins from 20 outings have given Commentator earnings of $1,841,936. John Velasquez continued the partnership.

Christophe Soumillon had three winners at Longchamp on Saturday. He clicked with Serpotta, God’s County and Pill. Serpotta was 9-2, God’s County was 16-10 and Pill was the 23-10 public choice.

As I head to Europe to attend the Arc in Paris on October 5, Soumillon who will ride the favoured Zarkava in the Longchamp showpiece is finding his best stride. The Aga Khan-owned filly won the Prix Vermeille with a tremendous stretch surge and is reported to be training forwardly.

On Saturday at Balmoral Park in Chicago, the biggest night in Illinois harness racing was held. The $280,000 Orange Blue pace for freshman colts and geldings went to Enzo The Baker. Dave Magee drove. It was the perfect setting for a great evening of racing.

The BC races are just a month away. After the Arc weekend, action shifts to Woodbine in Canada. The E P Taylor Stakes, a race for distaffers, and the Canadian International will be run at the Toronto track.