Big Brown did win a race on the grass as a freshman. The 2008 Derby-Preakness winner returns to the grass in the Monmouth Stakes on September 13. After a disappointing race in the Belmont Stakes, the Boundary colt returned to winning ways in the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park in early August. On more than occasion, trainer Richard Dutrow, Jr, has made it clear that his trainee’s main target is the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Santa Anita’s synthetic surface on October 25.

Awaiting Big Brown in the Monmouth Stakes is Red Rocks. The Galileo colt, now based in America, beat Curlin in the (turf) Man O’War and derailed Steve Asmussen’s plan to take the 2007 Horse of the Year to Paris for a tilt at the Arc de Triomphe.  Red Rocks, winner of the Breeders’ Cup Turf in 2006, was subsequently withdrawn from the Sword Dancer.

Whenever trainer Dutrow, Jr, speaks, the main subject is a possible clash between Big Brown and Curlin. On Wednesday, Dutrow, Jr, let his thoughts out. “Everyone wants them to run together before they retire. Hopefully, it happens if Curlin shows up in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. That’ll be great. If not, we’ll try to put it together after the Breeders’ race. A match race will be fine and we will let them (Curlin’s connections) pick the time, the place and the distance. It does not matter to us. We have a big race on Saturday and that’s our priority.”

Trainer Bob Baffert has said a word or two about his star filly, Indian Blessing. A scratch in the rain-marred Ruffian Handicap at Belmont Park last Saturday, Indian Blessing, the champion juvenile filly in 2007, may take her chances in the Gallant Bloom (Grade I, $150,000) Handicap on September 20. Another possibility is the Grade I Vosburgh Stakes on September 27. If Indian Blessing goes in the Vosburgh, she will have to take on the boys.

Bob Baffert has emphasized that he will keep Indian Blessing in sprints and that will be the basis for planning for the rest of the year. “She’s doing great. I want to keep her fit and fresh and watch the sprint division real close. All options, I am keeping them open.”

The St Leger meeting at Doncaster ends on Saturday. The St Leger, the oldest Classic in English racing, will be run. Another big race on Saturday is the Sprint Cup, now sponsored by Ladbrokes. Known as the Betfred Sprint Cup and originally to be contested at Haydock last Saturday, this race has been moved to Doncaster.

Sir Michael Stoute has a compelling training resume. There is one glaring omission. Sir Stoute has not saddled a St Leger winner. He is trying to remedy the situation this year. Ryan Moore partners Dr Fremantle, fourth in the Derby at Epsom in June. Conduit and Warringah also carry the Stoute banner. It is a strong contingent but Stoute has to beat back the challenge from the Aidan O’Brien camp.

The Irish training ace has Frozen Fire in the line up. Winner of the controversial Irish Derby in late June at the Curragh, Frozen Fire will be ridden by John Murtagh. Washington Irving will have the riding services of Colm O’Donoghue. Alessandro Volta is another O’Brien representative.

What is my pick? I will take Dr Fremantle. Strongly fancied at Epsom, the Dr was an eye-catching fourth in the Derby. Ryan Moore has cited the soft ground as the reason for his choosing the Dr. I believe that Sir Stoute will win that one race that has eluded him for so long.

In the Ladbrokes Sprint, John Murtagh rides US Ranger. I give Astronomer Royal, winner of the 2007 French Guineas, the edge. To be handled by Colm O’Donoghue, Astronomer Royal is turning into a sharp sprinter.

The mount Murtagh will not have is Septimus in the Group I Irish Field St Leger at the Curragh.  Aidan O’Brien has won the 1000 Guineas, 2000 Guineas, the Oaks and the Derby. A win in the St Leger will give O’Brien a sweep of the Classics in Ireland this year.

Yeats is in the Irish St Leger field but will be withdrawn. The venerable Saddler’s Well progeny is being pointed to the Prix du Cadran at Longchamp on Arc day. In 2007, Yeats was beaten in the Cadran as an odds on chance. Septimus is in fine fettle. Seamie Heffernan, O’Brien’s trusted second-in-command, has the mount. I like the chances of Septimus.

Zarkava, the pre-race favourite for the Arc, was put through her paces at Chantilly on Wednesday. The stint did not impress the experts but trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre was pleased. Trainer Dupre said that his filly is on schedule.

Zarkava is to race in the Qatar Prix Vermeille over 2400 metres. A field of 15 is expected. Gagnoa, second to Zarkova in the French Oaks, will reoppose.

The Arc is to be run at Longchamp in Paris on Sunday, October 5. It is Europe’s richest race and is being sponsored by the Qatar racing establishment.

I spoke to Mallesh Narredu and wished him a happy birthday. "Everything is going well. Diego Rivera, I get along well with. I pick my mounts and they are, for the most part, live horses."

A call from Colm O'Donoghue at a time when I was working on my newspaper piece surprised me. It took a moment longer than usual to recognize his voice.

"The London hearing, it's routine, Tom. Mr O'Brien will be coming. Far from serious. Have been busy here. I am happy I won with The Bogberry last week. I will be at Doncaster for rides in the Sprint and the St Leger on Saturday. Ice Queen is my horse on Sunday in Paris. I am hopeful. About India, nothing specific yet. I hope to ride for Dr Ramaswamy. Say hello to our friends in India."