There is sadness in the racing world. John Henry was euthanized on Monday. The two-time horse of the year was 32. John Henry had been living in Kentucky since 10 when he retired. John Henry’s lifetime earnings were a staggering $6.5 million.

Kathy Hopkins, the Equine Director at the Kentucky Horse Park, said, “There was a loss of kidney function. We could not keep John Henry dehydrated and comfortable.”

John Henry, Bill Shoemaker up, won the first Arlington Million in 1981 in a photo finish over The Bart, ridden by Eddie Delahoussaye. In 1984, John Henry won the Million a second time and Chris McCarron was the jockey. Arlington Park honoured John Henry by installing a statue near the paddock.

John Henry’s sire was Ole Bob Bowers. Once Double was his mother. She was by Double Jay. John Henry was a horse that nobody wanted to own. He could have been claimed for $25,000 at one time.

Holding Court raced at Keeneland on October 5, 2007. It was a Grade II event over 2,400 metres for three year-olds and up. Holding Court was giving weight to his rivals. Ten ran on a firm (grass) course. The race was won by Transduction Gold, a 15 to 1 proposition. The winning time was 2 31.7.

Calvin Borel rode Holding Court who carried 125 pounds. Dismissed at 14-1, the Indian star raced 9th and 10th and came in six-wide in the final turn. He could not gain. He was beaten 5 ¼ lengths. He finished seventh.

I had a chat with trainer Padmanabhan. He said, “He (Holding Court) was giving weight all around. He was being penalized for his Group I wins in India. The field had a lot of quality. Holding Court will continue to stay in the US.” Padmanabhan was in America to see Holding Court run and returned to India.

In the race for leading jockey in the world, Jorge Ricardo leads Russell Baze. As of October 9, 2007, Ricardo had 9,880 winners. Russell Baze had 9,858 winners. Ricardo is based in Buenos Aires in Argentina. Baze is based in California.

In the Grade I Champagne Stakes at Belmont Park last Saturday, War Pass, Cornelio Velasquez up, was the winner. The margin was 1 ½ lengths and the time was 1 36.12 for the 1,600-metre trip. War Pass returned $11.20 on a $2.00 ticket. Nick Zito was the winning trainer.

Nobiz Like Shobiz was victorious in the Grade II Jamaica handicap. The time for the 1800-metre journey was 1 46.8. Javier Castellano was the jockey and Barclay Tagg was the trainer.

The Brazilian-bred Out Of Control scored in the Grade II $252,000 Oak Tree Mile at Santa Anita last weekend. Six ran. Out Of Control earned a berth in the Breeders’ Cup on October 27. The time was 1 34.16. Lava Man ran last.

In the Grade I Lady’s Secret handicap, Tough Tiz’s Sis, Victor Espinoza aboard, came out on top. The winner has not been nominated to the Breeders’ Cup races. The time was 1 41.64 for the 1700-metre trip on the main dirt course.

Bob Baffert, trainer of Tough Tiz’s Sis, stated, “We do not know about the Breeders’ Cup. We will know after eight bottles of wine.”

Idiot Proof won the Grade I Ancient Title at Santa Anita. The winning margin was three parts of a length. The time was 1.07.2 for the 1200-metre race. Idiot Proof got a berth in the Breeders’ Cup sprint.

David Flores, the winning rider, said, “Idiot Proof is in top form. He likes Monmouth Park. This race will get him where he needs to be.”

The Grade I $500,000 Juddmonte Spinster Stakes at Keeneland on Sunday went to Panty Raid. The time was 1 51/3 for the 1,800-metre race on dirt. Garrett Gomez was the rider. Panty Raid earned a place in the Breeders’ Cup distaff.

Garrett Gomez said, “My main concern was around the first turn, just getting her off the bridle a little bit. She travelled very well for me.”

The Breeders’ Cup races will be run on October 26 and 27 at Monmouth Park in New Jersey.