Jockey Jeremy Rose became well known in 2005 when partnering Afleet Alex to victories in the Preakness and Belmont Stakes. Afleet Alex took a bad step, stumbled and recovered to win going away. The Belmont Stakes turned out to be a walk in the park.

On June 23 at Delaware Park, jockey Rose was aboard a horse named Appeal To The City. The stewards charged him with resorting to ‘extreme misuse of the whip.’ Appeal To The City suffered visible physical injury. Rose was suspended for six months.

Rose appealed to the Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission and received a bittersweet decision on July 22. The sentence was reduced to 90 days from the date of the offence. Jockey Rose was fined five thousand dollars and asked to take anger management courses through November 11. Rose will return to the races on September 23.

The reason I write about the Rose story and mentioned the Danny Grant appeal in my last report is that professionals will be reluctant to indulge in wrongdoing if they know that questions will be asked. It is a transparent process and goes a long way in infusing and maintaining public confidence. The two cases did not involve ‘integrity’ issues but offer us ‘procedural lessons.’

Sidney H Craig owned Dr Devious, the winner of the 1992 Epsom Derby. Craig, 76, passed away on Tuesday. Sidney Craig’s wife is Jenny Craig who runs a national weight loss chain. Dr Devious ran in the 1992 Kentucky Derby in early May and was unplaced. The Kentucky Derby is on the dirt. Dr Devious went to England and proved the best in the Epsom Classic run on the grass. Mr. Craig said then, “Nothing will beat this dream.”

Curlin was back on the track at Saratoga on July 21. The track was muddy. The 2007 Horse of the Year went 800 metres in 51.4 seconds. Scott Blasi, supervising the work, expressed satisfaction. “Curlin’s next race has not been decided. He looked perfect. Came out of Man O’War in tremendous shape and that’s what you want to see.”

Pyro, strongly fancied in the Kentucky Derby, ran 800 metres in 50.6 seconds. Pyro is scheduled to go in the Grade II Jim Dandy on July 27 at Saratoga.

The Jockey Club has instituted an equine injury database system. Here are the objectives:
a) identify frequency, types and outcome of racing injuries
b) using standardized format to generate valid statistics
c) identify markers for horses at increased risk for injury
And d) serve as data source for research directed at improving safety and preventing injuries.
The Saratoga meeting in upstate New York opened on Wednesday. Five turf races were moved to the main track. There were 45 scratches. The attendance was 18,127, considerably smaller than last year. The weather was the culprit.

Pepper’s Pride is a five year-old mare. She goes for her 17th consecutive win in the $55,000 Lincoln handicap at Ruidoso Downs in New Mexico on July 27. She’s the 127 pound top weight in the 1200-metre race. Pepper’s Pride won the 2007 edition of the Lincoln handicap. The unbeaten mare has not raced since April 26. Her bankroll stands at 861,665 dollars. Owner Joe Allen celebrates his 62nd birthday on July 27. Pepper’s Pride’s trainer is Joel Marr. The rider is Carlos Madeira.

Citation, Cigar, Hallowed Dreams and Mister Frisky won 16 in a row and failed when seeking number 17. Joe Allen is optimistic. “I’ll be disappointed if she does not win. She’s smart and you can rate her. You can really do anything with her.”

Desert God is Pepper’s Pride’s sire. The dam is Lady Pepper. The champion mare is scheduled to retire this year.
A survey has revealed that, since the Triple Crown, wagering in the US has dropped 11% compared to a similar six-week period in 2007. There is a recession. The housing market is depressed. Inflation is up.

Big Brown has been working toward a specific race. The dual-Classic winner did 1000 metres at Aqueduct last Sunday. The time was 59.1 seconds. Big Brown’s target is the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park on August 3. Schedule permitting, I plan to be at Monmouth Park that day.

Mike Iavarone, one of Big Brown’s owners, said, “he worked awesome. We’re over the moon. He is right on course and has not missed a beat. The 3rd (August) race can’t come soon enough.”

England will implement a new substance policy beginning next year. Trainers outside Europe must certify that their horses have not been treated with non-therapeutic substances particularly anabolic steroids or face a ban from Britain. There will be spot checks in concerned countries with the approval of racing authorities there.

Curtain Call was fifth in the Irish Derby on June 29. He was interfered with by Alessandro Volta in the stretch. The latter was third and disqualified and placed 4th. Curtain Call’s connections wanted their colt placed ahead of Alessandro Volta. The appeal has been denied. Tartan Bearer, the 11-10 chance, was promoted to third from fourth after an inquiry.

On Saturday at Ascot, Duke of Marmalade heads the eight-horse field in the 2000-metre King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Aidan O’Brien sends out MacArthur, winner of the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot and there is a third O’Brien runner. Red Rock Canyon is in the field and will be ridden by Colm O’Donoghue.
Youmzain, recent winner in France, is the key concern. The King George meeting lasts three days and started on Friday.

Saratoga has a bunch of graded races on Saturday. More on that in my next report.
Glorious Goodwood begins on Wednesday. The Sussex Stakes is the feature. Ramonti, winer in 2007, will be absent because of a foot infection. Henrythenavigator faces older horses for the first time. There are eleven probable. Goodwood Racecourse, in Chicester, is an out of this world facility. It is breathtaking.

Sources: Blood Horse, Sporting Life and TV reports