Royal Ascot the world’s premier meeting starts today. You may ask why I’am offering selections from across the pond. Easy… to show the International credability we can bring to this forum.

This is the year of transatlantic competition the europeans came and conquered in the Breeders. Now the US has took a good looking team to Ascot under the guidance of Wesley Ward. PLUS some of todays winners will be showing up at Santa ANita in the fall thats for sure.

The whispers has been working overtime to collate all the pointers and info coming his way.

BEST BET …… RACE 3 …… #2 DELEGATOR.
The St James Palace Stakes Group 1 over the classic mile distance for 3 yo Track conditions Turf good to firm.
This guy is at the top of his game, conditions are in his favour just denied in the classic 2,000 guineas by super star SEA THE STARS. Went to Ireland and failed in very soft going in the equivelant classic. Note the jockey change back with his original pilot. Will be a good price as the Coolmore colt MASTERCRAFTSMAN will be all the rage. I have a strong whisper for this star in the making.

NEXT BEST …… RACE 1 …… #1 ALEXANDROS.
The Queen Anne stakes Group 1 4yo and up ove a mile straight and on the turf.
Godolphin have two representatives in this race the fav. Gladiatorus and the selection Alexandros. The fav has been running in Nad Al Sheba and defeated the selection. Alexandros who since prepped the traditional way with a good run in the Lockinge. Plus and a big plus Gladiatorus has a former camel jockey onboard.( Sometimes I shake my head at Godolphins decisions in race management). My whisper has the one and only Frankie Dettori working the magic.

VALUE BET ……. RACE 6 …… #18 STRIKE THE TIGER.
Windsor Castle Stakes 2yo turf 5f.
22 runners for this dash for the cash folks. Flying the flag Stars and Stripes to be precise is Wesley Ward and John Velazquez who has flown in from a weekend at Belmont.
Strike the Tiger won his maiden on dirt at Churchill Downs by 3 and 3/4 lengths. he has been prepping on the poly at Keeneland where Ward stables and did a fast piece of work at River Downs on the turf. What I like about this guy is he is an early foal and gelded, will have his mind set on the task before him.

Kierron Fallon still suspended and assisting Sir Michael Soute has been riding all of Wards horse at work in Newmarket, UK racings HQ. Velazquez will ride all of the horses, Iam of the firm opinion if he gets one winner he will get several, watch this space.

Scooter

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Preview for Saturday June 13th.

The Stephen Foster H. (G1) is the highlight of the day at Churchill Downs. A field of eight is entered headed by the remarkable Einstein (Brz) who will be bidding for his third grade one victory in a row. He won the Santa Anita H. (G1) on the synthetic before adding the Turf Classic (G1) on the grass at Churchill to his three previous grade one turf wins. A victory here would be his first grade one win on traditional dirt in four tries. His best previous dirt efforts were a decent second place finish to Curlin in this event last year and a win in the Clark H. (G2) also at Churchill. His biggest threat may come from Asiatic Boy (Arg) who will make his American debut for Kiaran McLaughlin. Asiatic Boy threw in a clunker last time in the Dubai World Cup (G1) but had run a good second to Curlin in that event twelve months earlier. He has been working well at Belmont and one has to assume the addition of Lasix will help, and may be enough to put him ahead of Einstein.

There are several other stakes on the Churchill undercard. The Jefferson Cup (G2) will be race 7 and will be the turf debut of Advice who won the Lexington S. (G2) at Keeneland prior to an unplaced effort in the Kentucky Derby (G1). His main rival is El Crespo who won the Palm Beach S. (G3) on the lawn at Gulfstream. In the Northern Dancer S. (G3) (race 8) the exciting Warrior’s Reward will face seven including the unbeaten Successful Dan. Race 9 is the Fleur De Lis H. (G2) which will see the return of Miss Isella who defeated the previously unbeaten One Caroline with a rail skimming Calvin Borel ride last time. Prytania is the lukewarm morning line favorite for the Regret S. (G3) which will be race 11. She will face ten others with the biggest danger looking line Excelente (Ire) who ran an excellent second in the American Oaks last time out.

The Monmouth S. will be that track’s feature and has drawn a field of nine headed by Proudinsky (Ger) who will try to rebound off a sub-par effort in Churchill’s turf classic. Presious Passion will undoubtably try to control the race from the front end while Grand Coutuier (GB), making his first start of the year, will be running late.

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Epsom Derby Preview for Saturday June 6th.
The most important race worldwide today is the Epsom Derby to be run at 3.45 (British time), 10.45 (Eastern Time US).

The Two Thousand Guineas (G1) has often proved the best Derby trial and this year may be no exception with three of the top five in the market emerging from the first classic. SEA THE STARS was an impressive winner, running on strongly to defeat favorite Delegator by one and a half lengths. Out of Urban Sea, the 1993 Prix De L’arc De Triomphe (G1) winner, Sea The Stars is a half-brother to Galileo, the 2001 Derby winner. While there is plenty of stamina coming from the female family, his sire the sprint bred Cape Cross does raise the possibility that the testing Derby trip may be a touch too much.

Jim Bolger will saddle the Guineas third GAN AMHRAS. After breaking his maiden over a mile at Naas, Gan Amhras finished a good second in the Goffs Million where the seven furlongs appeared on the short side. Reappearing at Newmarket Gan Amhras was well backed on the day of the race. Always close to the pace he was outpaced when under pressure over a furlong out but stayed on well at the finish. A son of Galileo and out of a mare by Darshaan, Gan Amhras should have no problem with this distance and his running on finish at Newmarket was a perfect prep. Bolger and Kevin Manning teamed up to win this last year with New Approach and can repeat with this improving colt.

Half the of the twelve horse field will be sent out by Aidan O’Brien and RIP VAN WINKLE, who has been heavily backed in recent days, has always been Ballydoyle’s number one Derby hope. The winner of the Tyros S. last summer was the hot favorite but ran poorly in the Dewhurst S. (G1) last fall but fared better when he returned to Newmarket with a running on fourth place finish in the Two Thousand Guineas (G1). His Guineas preparation had been hampered by a bruised foot and the majority of the yard’s runners improve after their first race of the year. While that was a good Derby prep and he is the choice of Johnny Murtagh, there is a niggling suspicion that a mile and a half may not be perfect for him, being out of a mare by the sprinter Stravinsky.

CROWDED HOUSE was the Derby favorite for much of the winter on account of his impressive Racing Post Trophy (G1) last year, but lost that position when he ran badly in the Dante S. (G3) with no apparent excuse. He has reportedly been doing well at home since and has a major chance if he can recapture his two-year-old form.

Selections: 1. GAN AMHRAS
2. SEA THE STARS
3. RIP VAN WINKLE

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Preview of Preakness stakes undercard.

Race 11. Dixie S. (G2). A competitive field of thirteen is headed by the Bobby Frankel trained Proudinsky who will run as part of an entry with Roger Attfield’s Musketier. Somewhat disappointing when a little rank early in the Turf Classic (G1) last time, switches riders to Garrett Gomez who will try to relax him early. His chief opponents may be Strike A Deal who has not started since winning the Red Smith H (G2) last fall and the improving Parading, a seven length winner of the Ben Ali (G3) over Keeneland’s Polytrack in April. Value can be found with the Jonathon Sheppard trained Just As Well whose last try over this distance saw him split Kip Deville and Court Vision, two of the best turf runners in the nation.

Race 10. Maryland Sprint H.(G3). Ah Day returns to sprinting after a poor effort in the Charles Town Classic over nine furlongs. However, with little early speed entered it looks as though Ravalo may assume control of the race early and wire the field.

Race 9. Woodlawn S. This mile event for three-year-olds on the turf has attracted Affirmatif who easily broke his maiden at Gulfstream before being caught late in a Keeneland allowance. He looks much the best here but if there is an upset it may come from Colonel Rutledge who won both his starts last year for Ken McPeek and finished fourth at Charles Town most recently for his new trainer, Graham Motion.

Race 8. Hirsch Jacobs S. (G3). Taqarub returns to six furlongs over which he is a perfect three-for-three. Eight will oppose him including Nuclear Wayne who has won his last two starts for Steve Asmussen and the Todd Pletcher trained Checklist who was third in the Derby Trial (G3) last time. However, they may all be chasing Despite The Odds who has won his two starts impressively at Laurel and looks special for Michael trombetta.

Race 7. Gallorette H. (G3). Dynaforce who won last year’s Flower Bowl H. (G1) makes her reappearance here. Steadied when eighth in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1) Dynaforce will face seven the best of whom appears to be All Is Vanity who may try to control the pace on the front end.

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PREAKNESS STAKES PREVIEW.

**BIG DRAMA (Montbrook-Riveting Drama (Notebook)) (David Fawkes/John Velazquez ) (Lifetime 7-5-1-1 $890,250.**
Breaking from the rail the likely pacesetter has not been seen since wiring the field in the Swale S. in late March at Gulfstream. Is game and fast but is unlikely to remain in front of this class of runners over this trip. Small chance of wiring the field.

***MINE THAT BIRD (Birdstone-Mining My Own (Smart Strike)) (Bennie Woolley/Mike Smith) Lifetime 9-5-1-0 $1,791,581.***
Change of tactics and a combination of circumstances enabled Mine That Bird to pull off one of the biggest upsets in Kentucky Derby history. Through Calvin Borel’s brilliant ride from the back on the fast rail and with many of his chief rivals not handling the off track, Mine That Bird was able to put up a lifetime performance. It is unlikely, however, that the stars are going to line up for him again. Even with the possibility of another wet track it has to be considered unlikely that Mine That Bird will be able to close over the generally more speed favoring surface at Pimlico like he did at Churchill, especially without Borel and his rail skimming expertise. There was a good reason he was 50/1 in the Derby and it’s likely that race will be remembered as a fluke. Must be given a chance but will be overbet.

***MUSKET MAN (Yonaguska-Fortuesque (Fortunate Prospect)) (Derek Ryan/Eibar Coa) Lifetime 7-5-0-2 $772,600.***
Ran a great race in the Derby finishing in the photo for the minor awards after overcoming early trouble from a low draw. Illinois Derby winner outran his sprint biased pedigree and was running on well at the finish aided by finding a favorable running strip far off the rail. Is consistent and genuine and has a good shot coming from just off the early pace. Contender.

*LUV GOV (Ten Most Wanted-City of Silver (Nepal)) (D. Wayne Lukas/Jamie Theriot) Lifetime 10-1-3-1 $62,896.
Broke his maiden last out in his 10th try over a sloppy track at Churchill. Did show improvement in that win and ability to handle an off-track but has not shown enough to threaten here. Little chance.*

*****FRIESAN FIRE (A.P.Indy-Bollinger (Aus)(Dehere)) (Larry Jones/Gabriel Saez) Lifetime 8-4-1-1 $603,265.*****
Lost all chance as the deserving Derby favorite when hampered at the start and his form was enhanced when Louisiana Derby runner-up ran a strong race to be fourth. While it is hard for horses to rebound off disastrous efforts such as his in the Derby, one has to believe that trainer Larry Jones would not wheel him back here if all was not right. This notion was reinforced by a brilliant work over the surface on Tuesday. Since he was more or less eased at Churchill he will not, like many in here be attempting to run just two weeks after a hard race and thus should be relatively fresh. Has a perfect running style and handled an off track at Fair Grounds. Leading contender and value may be there.

**TERRAIN (Sky Mesa-Minery (Forty Niner)) Albert Stall/Jeremy Rose) Lifetime 8-3-1-1 $512,084.
New face comes here off a fourth place finish in the Blue Grass having previously finished third in the Louisiana Derby. Was well beaten in both those tries and would have to improve to be a factor here. Small chance.**

****PAPA CLEM (Smart Strike-Miss Houdini (Belong To Me)) (Gary Stute/Rafael Bejarano) Lifetime 7-2-2-0 $ 890,940.
Rated nicely off the pace when winning the Arkansas Derby in his final prep for Kentucky. However, he did not relax as well for Bejarano at Churchill where the early fractions were slower but he still finished well to be in the photo for place and show. With a quick pace expected here Papa Clem may have more left here for a big stretch finish. Major chance. ****

**GENERAL QUARTERS (Sky Mesa-Ecology (Unbridled’s Song)) (Thomas McCarthy/Julien Leparoux) Lifetime 12-3-3-1 $641,735.**
While steadied early in the Derby the surprise Blue Grass winner had little valid excuse for his poor showing. Had beaten a suspect field at Keeneland and had previously proved inferior to Musket Man in Florida. Is short on class and will be up against it again here. Small chance.

****PIONEEROF THE NILE (Empire Maker-Star Of Goshin (Lord At War (Arg)) (Bob Baffert/Garrett Gomez) Lifetime 9-5-1-1 $1,634,200.****
Ran a huge race to be second in the Derby after looking like the winner turning from home but ran on the worst part of the track down the stretch and still held second. Pioneerof The Nile in part proved those who doubted his ability to handle conventional dirt wrong, but may have been helped by the wet surface. Baffert has won the Preakness on four occasions with horses that had all had hard races in the Derby and this colt showed little ill effects from his Churchill performance in his workout on Monday. Pioneerof The Nile has an advantageous stalking running style and a wet track will help his chances. Major chance. *****

*FLYING PRIVATE (Fusaichi Pegasus-Beautiful Treasure (Unbridled)) (D. Wayne Lukas/Alan Garcia) Lifetime 11-1-4-0 $193,080.
Last place Derby finisher with little excuse now has one win from eleven tries. Little to no chance.*

**TAKE THE POINTS (Even The Score-Ginger Ginger (Fred Astaire)) (Todd Pletcher/Edgar Prado) Lifetime 6-2-2-0 $156,190.
Showed his limitations when fourth in the Santa Anita Derby and well beat second in the Sham. Has top connections and tactical speed but is below top class. Small chance.**

*TONE IT DOWN (Medaglia D’oro-Chattin (Rollicking) (William Komio/Kent Desormeaux) Lifetime 6-2-2-1 $54,720. *
Local representative most recently finished third in a minor stakes over this course. Will show speed from the outside but has not shown the ability to run with this class. Little to no chance.

***RACHEL ALEXANDRA (Medaglia D’oro-Lotta Kim (Roar)) (Steve Asmussen/Calvin Borel) Lifetime 10-7-2-0 $958,354.***
Hugely impressive winner of the Oaks will likely be the favorite, but maybe as much through sentimentality as form. While she could not have won the Oaks any easier, and did so in a good time, one does have to question the strength of the opposition, as well as in her previous wins. She was primed for a top effort in the Oaks, which she delivered in perfect conditions, and will now have to bring another one against this solid group of colts – a hard thing to do, especially for a filly, off two weeks rest. Rachel Alexandra’s previous trainer had a schedule mapped out for her which has now changed, never a good thing. Obviously brilliant filly has a strong chance but this will be a huge test and she will offer little betting value.

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Two weeks ago all the tipsters in the world had an opinion on the Kentucky Derby, the first leg of the Triple Crown. Not one in the tipping fraternity came good with the winner although none of us doubted his excellent performance. Normally its a pretty straight run up to the Preakness with horses joining or
leaving the fray. Not this year there are more stories angles personalities to fuel a Hollywood movie.
We have the winner of the Oaks RACHEL ALEXANDRA by an outstanding 20 1/4 lengths joining the boys or to use a blue collar phrase putting the cat among the pigeons. Owners rebelled and tried to block the move citing an unfair contest, she will claim 5 pound in wieght off the colts but has drawn the outside post.
Calvin Borel the jockey rode both the Oaks and Derby winners and has plumped for the filly. Can she beat the money says not, will go off evens or less, however she has been sold and moved to Asmussens barn,
will the change upset her routine it is very possible.
Who can take her on over a mile and 3/16th’s… after the Derby you have to look at each contender very very carefully dont want to make the mistake twice do we. MUSKET MAN, PIONEER OF THE NILE, PAPA CLEM, all ran big races in the derby and will renew the battle and will all have tactics to take on the wonder filly.
TAKE THE POINTS Pletcher’s charge missed the Derby ran well on synthetic at Santa Anita but went really well for Prado to win twice on dirt at 30/1 looks a live long shot.
Cannot take my eyes off the one horse BIG DRAMA 10/1 in the frame last seven, won last six, nearly a million in earnings beyers have climbed and climbed to equal the filly at 108 only one race this year but a live contender. Then we have the Triple Crown contender MINE THAT BIRD with Smith aboard the two
slot gives him a choice of tactics, Iam sure they will run a similar race as the Derby this is a horse who needs to do his own thing Borel hardly touched him in his decisive win. Has just turned 3 and gelded I think there is more in the tank with this baby. Enjoys his racing and work, very alert, does not have a lead pony which means they trust him and he knows what the game is all about.

THERE ARE RACEHORSES AND THEN THERE ARE RACEHORSES WITH A TURN OF FOOT. This guy is the latter, they posed fast early fractions in the Derby I think it will be the same on Saturday. They somehow have to draw the sting out of the filly, get her in a speed battle, upset her, put her off her game, or its over in the
first quarter. MINE THAT BIRD will let them get on with it and hopefully produce that finishing kick.

Promises to be a battle royal, the sport of kings returns in all its glory…. Hail the Bird the Bird is King……

MINE THAT BIRD
BIG DRAMA
RACHEL ALEXANDRA
TAKE THE POINTS

Win Place Show on The Bird then box exacta box trifecta and box superfecta.
May The Bird Be With You ….and all who fly with him.
THE HORSE WHISPERER…………

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WAS brought up in a culture where if you cocked something up you had to be man enough to hold your hands up to it.

Also, you expected to take your medicine by getting pelters for your misdeed so that’s why Johhny Murtagh’s attitude after a criminal ride on Masterofthehorse in Thursday’s Chester Vase was so hard to swallow.

Not a hint of apology for one of the worst rides you’ll ever see as Johhny Come Lately, riding the jolly, came from the clouds to finish a two-lengths second to stablemate and 25-1 rag Golden Sword.

I turned to wee Norrie, who was on the favourite, just two furlongs in to the race and said Murtagh would need to be on a combination of Nijinsky and Pegasus to have any chance of winning.

He was lobbing along six lengths adrift at the back of the field and at least a dozen behind Golden Sword at the head of affairs.

Chester’s basically like a greyhound track with its tight turns and it has a straight that’s as short as a chicken run with a wide, sweeping bend in to it.

Simple fact is you have to be within a couple of lengths of the leader to have any chance of winning and Murtagh was still five lengths off the pace when he came flying on the wide outside of field.

At best, it was woeful judgment. At worst, it smelled.

The bold Johnny Francome compounded matters by revealing after the race - why is it always after? - that he had had an each-way touch on the winner.

I have always been wary of Aidan O’Brien’s mass entries in big-race trials but this time punters deserve better than to be treated with disdain.

So that’s why Johnny - I was only ridng to orders guv - Murtagh is a runaway winner of this week’s Tosser.

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Thorughbred Racing Preview for Saturday May 9th.

The Lone Star Derby (race 10) has drawn a field of seven with Bob Baffert’s Mythical Power installed as the morning line favorite. After breaking his maiden at Santa Anita, Mythical Power ran second in the Sunland Derby with Kentucky Derby winner, Mine That Bird back in fourth. His biggest threats here are Uno Mas who was second in the Northern Spur S. at Oaklawn and Cape Truth who has won two of his three starts in California.

The feature at Arlington (race 10) is the one mile and a sixteenth on the turf Chester House Stakes. Eight will go to post headed by Artic Cry. Trained by Eddie Kenneally, Artic Cry is coming off a narrow loss in the Appleton H. (G3) at Gulfstream and appears to be the class of the field. His toughest opposition may be Tiger Woodman who was last seen winning a decent allowance at Keeneland. Others worth watching here include Major rhythm and Telling who were both stakes placed here last year and Minister’s Joy who has loads of back class but has been off form lately.

Race 10 at Churchill is a mile and a sixteenth turf allowance for three-year-old fillies. Keertana is the slight morning line favorite. She ran second in her first start of the year in a sprint over Keeneland’s Polytrack and finished second last year in a tough allowance over this course. She will be hard to beat but will be challenged by Suz Slew and Rena who are both trained by Dale Romans. Suz Slew most recently finished second in an allowance at Keeneland and Rena comes off a big maiden win at Gulfstream.

Pimlico’s feature is a five furlong allowance on the turf for fillies and mares. This field is led by Dances For Tips from the in-form Scott Lake barn and Huge who was the beaten favorite last time at this level. Huge suffered a wide trip that day and may make amends here.

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Preview for May 2nd - - Derby Undercard.

Preceding the Derby is a competitive renewal of the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (G1). A field of ten is set to go to post with last year’s winner, Einstein the solid morning line favorite. Winner of the Santa Anita H. (G1) in his last start Einstein will switch back to turf along with Court Vision, Cowboy Cal and Zambezi Sun who were all disappointing over the Pro-Ride surface. The Bobby Frankel trained Zambezi Sun may appreciate the anticipated soft turf more than anyone in here but may find the distance too short. This is not the case with Frankel’s other entrant, Proudinsky who has won half of his eight starts at this distance and is coming off an impressive, albeit only by a nose, victory at Fair Grounds from a near impossible outside post.

The Humana Distaff (Race 9) for fillies over seven furlongs drew a field of nine headed by Game Face. Unraced since mid-March Game Face is a perfect two-for-two at this distance and the Todd Pletcher trained filly should get a perfect stalking trip under Garrett Gomez. Her main rival is Secret Gypsy who owns plenty of speed and looks to be the pacesetter.

Race 8 is the Churchill Distaff Turf Mile (G2). Visit ships in from California for Bobby Frankel and is the tepid morning line choice. However, she has not looked at her best this year and may have her work cut out to beat another California runner, the Jerry Hollendorfer trainee Sugar Mint who won last time out won a decent allowance at Santa Anita.

Several fillies opted for Race 7, the Eight Belles S (G3) instead of Friday’s Oaks. They are headed by Four Gifts from the Steve Asmussen barn who was beaten sixteen lengths by Rachel Alexander at Fair Grounds and Just Jenda who was nearly twelve lengths behind the Oaks favorite at Oaklawn.

Race 6, the Churchill Downs S. (G2) is the first stakes of the Derby day card. Nine will go to post headed by the heavy favorite Kodiak Kowboy who is coming off a narrow win in the Carter H. (G1).

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If you look out of your window you’re likely to see a squadron of pigs in the sky performing Red Arrow-like acrobatics.

What do you mean our little porker friends can’t fly? According to the Daily Record’s Keith Jackson they can.

Just look at his back page splash this morning. Young Jacko was whipped in to fever pitch by the fact that the Scottish Cup Final is under threat because of swine flu.

He claims that major football grounds such as Hampden could be forced to shut down while the hype over a “pandemic” is ramped up to something akin to the Black Death.

Now that’s as likely as Maggie Thatcher making a political comeback and proves that every sports desk has it slow days.

However, it must have been slower than a snail trying to escape a a treacle spill for this piffle even to have made it in to print.

So Keith, you are the Tosser of the Week and I would advise you to see your doc immediately - sounds as if you could be the first confirmed case of swine flu in the press!

*WHILE you are looking out of your window for flying pigs you might also glimpse the vultures hovering over Scottish football now that Setanta are wanting to cut their TV dosh or bale out two years early.

Their cash is the lifeblood for our smaller clubs and ask yourself one question: Just who would replace them for a product that is already a dying duck?

If it was the Beeb the money would be slashed, likewise Sky even if they wanted to step in to the breech which is highly unlikely.

The clowns in the SFL who spurned the original Sly deal and ended up with a tuppence-halfpenny one with the Clydesdale Bank should be ashamed.

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