Kieren Fallon’s final appeal to the French authorities has been rejected. Christopher Stewart-Moore, Fallon’s attorney, confirmed that the appeal has been turned down. This is the end of the road for the six-time British champion in terms of pursuing remedies to reduce the length of the suspension. He can return to the saddle in early August in 2009.

France-Galop is likely to make the announcement on Tuesday. Kieren Fallon will work as exercise rider for Sir Michael Stoute. Controversy has been an integral part of Fallon’s existence. Let us hope that this latest peccadillo is not the straw breaking the camel’s back.

Pyro and Cool Coal Man are two big names among 167 nominations for the Toyota-sponsored Blue Grass Stakes to be run on April 12 at Keeneland Racecourse in Kentucky. The Blue Grass, run over 1800 metres, carries a $750,000 purse and has been one of the major preps leading to the Kentucky Derby. Last year, Street Sense was beaten in a photo finish by Dominican. And three weeks later, Street Sense, ridden by Calvin Borel, came out victorious in the Run for the Roses.

Aqueduct in New York hosts the Gotham Stakes coming Saturday. There is a 10-horse field headed by the unbeaten Giant Moon. It is a 1700-metre race on the inner track. The Gotham is a major New York race for sophomores leading up to the Grade I $750,000 Wood Memorial.

In America over the weekend when we were all preoccupied with the Invitation Cup carnival at Malakpet, several stakes races were run. Sir Whimsey won the Gulfstream Park Handicap in Florida. Edgar Prado rode Sir Whimsey, trained by Jimmy Toner. The time was 1 56.96 seconds for the 1900 metres. Sir Whimsey returned $9.00.

Northern California’s perennial leading trainer, Jerry Hollendorfer, 61, sent out his runner in the $1,000,000 Santa Anita Handicap on Saturday. Rafael Bejarano rode the Hollendorfer-trained Heatseeker. A five year-old by Giant’s Causeway, Heatseeker won by three parts of a length in 2.00.42 seconds. It was over 2000 metres on the dirt. Trainer Hollendorfer is training for the first time in Southern California and has a 30-horse stable. The beaten brigade included Go Between, Champs Elysees and Tiago.

In another Santa Anita feature, Colonel John got the better of the heavily-favoured El Gato Melo in the Grade III Sham Stakes. Garrett Gomez rode the Eoin Harty-trained three year-old by Tiznow. Colonel; John was the second choice at 6-4. Five ran. Colonel John ran the 1800 metres (dirt) in 1 50.15 second. Colonel John will start next in the Santa Anita Derby on April 5. The Kentucky Derby is the target.

Dubai has some important races on Thursday. After this Thursday, the next race day will be World Cup day.

Sources :NTRA and Racing Post.