Friday was July 4, US Independence day. It is a three-day holiday weekend, several tracks in America have graded events over the weekend. Belmont Park, out East and Hollywood Park, out West, have scheduled rich Grade I contests.

In the United Kingdom, Sandown Park hosts the Coral Eclipse Stakes over 2000 metres on Saturday. The Eclipse is being sponsored by Coral, the British bookmaking company. This Group I race will be run at 3 20 P M London time.

The Eclipse has nine runners. The favourite and let me say, the lukewarm favourite is Mount Nelson from Aidan O’Brien’s stable. Mount Nelson is at 7-2 and will be ridden by John Murtagh. Phoenix Tower, from Sir Henry Cecil’s yard, is also at 7-2. Multidimensional, second to MacArthur in Royal Ascot’s Hardwicke Stakes, is one of the fancied runners. The venerable Maraahel, a Sir Michael Stoute trainee, is in the field. Among the nine runners, in my opinion, none has more appeal than Campanologist. A Godolphin representative, Campanologist made it all in the 2400-metre King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot. One of Campanolgist’s victims was the red hot Conduit, ridden by Ryan Moore. Campanologist is finding his best stride. This year’s Eclipse lacks star quality but from the wagering viewpoint, is a wide open affair.

America is where the action is on Saturday. Belmont Park has the Prioress Stakes over 1200 metres, a Grade I race. Indian Blessing, winner of the Juveniles Breeders’ Cup and champion freshman filly last year, is seeking to halt a two-race losing trend. The Indian Charlie filly drops back to 1200 metres.

Bob Baffert, Indian Blessing’s trainer made a statement. “We will let her do her thing. She likes to run freely. I believe the dropback in distance will also help.”

The American Oaks will be run at Hollywood Park on Saturday. The race has an international cast. Carribean Sunset, third in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot behind Lush Lashes and Infallible, makes the trip to Los Angeles from Dublin. Carribean Sunset, trained by Dermot Weld and to be handled by Pat Smullen, is tackling 2000 metres for the first time. Annie Skates, most recently in a listed race at Newbury, is taking her chances in the American Oaks. Pure Clan heads the American contingent. She was third to Proud Spell in the Kentucky Oaks and won the Regret States in brilliant fashion and comers into the Oaks absolutely ready.

Monmouth Park’s feature on Saturday is the United Nations Handicap over 2100 metres. It is a ‘you win and you get in’ race. If a horse wins this race, he is given a berth in the corresponding BC race in October at Santa Anita. The winner of the UN handicap will be a runner in the BC Turf over 2400 metres.

Trainer Bobby Frankel has two runners, Champs Elysees and Sudan. Trainer Mary Hartman saddles Presious Passion who has won three prestigious events at long odds. In the UN handicap, Presious Passion figures to have a lot of friends. Take a look at this string of wins for Presious Passion. This year, Presious Passion won Gulfstream’s Pan American at 20-1. Last November, it was Calder’s W L McKnight handicap at 67-1. Last September, Presious Passion was victorious in the Cliff Hanger at Monmouth Park at 10-1. Nine horses go in the UN handicap and Presious Passion is listed at 8-1.

Thom Song held the half money choice, Einstein, in the Firecracker handicap at Churchill Downs on Friday. Thom Song was ridden to a start to finish victory by Kent Desormeaux. The Firecracker was a Grade II race with a purse of $213,250. Five ran and the time was 1 36.89 on the soft grass course. The return was $5.60. Thom Song is by Unbridled’s Song.

Dale Romans, Thom Song’s trainer said, “I expected him to run big. Einstein had beaten us three times and we were hoping to beat him today, but not expecting it.”

At Belmont Park, it was another pillar to post win for Lucky Island in the Tom Fool handicap. The margin was four and one quarter lengths and the time was 1 22.73 for 1400 metres. Alan Garcia rode and the winning trainer was Kiaran McLaughlin.

It was Lucky Island’s fourth consecutive win who was the second choice at 3-2 in the five-horse field. By Lucky Roberto, Lucky Island is an Argentinian bred.

Jockey Alan Garcia was full of praise for his mount. “He was so sharp and he broke so good. I had a ton of horse all the way around. At the end, he acted like the race was just starting again.”

The jury could not reach a verdict in the trial of two attorneys, minority owners of Curlin. These two were tried on fraud charges. They were two attorneys who did not pass on the money collected on a damage suit filed against a company making a dietary supplement. It was found that the supplement caused heart problems. I do not know if another trial is being ordered.

However, a court-appointed receiver representing the interests of the two owners, clears the way for Curlin to race anywhere, anytime. It is likely we will see Curlin next weekend in a grass race. Then it is on to Paris, for a prep race, at Longchamp and the Arc on October 5. At the moment, Curlin is 15-1 in the ante post market.

Here is news from Ireland. Curragh is going through a rebuilding process. The 2009 Classics will be held there. The Phoenix Stakes in 2009 on July 26 will be the last meeting in 2009. In 2010, all the Curragh dates will be run at Leopardstown. Curragh, reports say, will be ready in 2011. I lived 10 minutes away from Leopardstown during my recent visit to Ireland.

Trainers John Oxx and Dermot Weld expressed their feelings. John Oxx said, “Leopardstown is a very good track with good facilities.”

Dermot Weld was delighted. “Leopardstown is a world class racecourse. It is an excellent choice for the Classics.”

Friday afternoon, I called my friend in Ireland. She mentioned that Leopardstown will host the big Irish races in 2010. That was great news. I will have a place to stay within  minutes of Leopardstown. It is Cabinteely, where my friend lives, is minutes away from Leopardstown.