The Trafficmaster

It's been a while since we last saw a genuine superstar colt on the dirt in America. The division has been sadly lacking since the retirement of one my my all-time favourites, the Steve Asmussen trained Curlin, way back in 2008.

That may be about to change, though.

During the winter Gulfstream meet, Todd Pletcher unleashes wave after wave of maiden winners, mainly in the 3yo division. However, on the afternoon of 24th January, an unraced 4yo by the name of Cross Traffic was sent to post as an odds-on favourite, making a belated debut over an extended six furlongs.

He won in a solid, albeit unspectacular style and was put into a first-level allowance race, having been given a nice six week pause off his debut.

This time, things were different. Stepping up to a mile, and still showing signs of greeness, Cross Traffic simply obliterated his opposition in devastating fashion, running a figure that suggested he was well up to Graded class. He drew away for a seven-and-a-half-length victory.

Despite a lack of seasoning, Cross Traffic was put into the Westchester by Pletcher, taking on a solid Grade 1 performer in Flat Out. Drawn on the inside, Javier Castellano had no choice but to send the inexperienced colt forward, as the combination posted solid fractions of 22.77 and 22.56 for the first half-mile. Make no mistake, those are swift fractions by Belmont's standards, and for Cross Traffic to only give best by a head to Flat Out in the shadows of the wire, suggested we were seeing a horse that had a special talent.

That performance persuaded Pletcher to plunge Cross Traffic into Grade 1 company, on only his fourth start.

The historic Met Mile was the showcase for yet another spectacular effort in defeat. Once again, the post position compromised Cross Traffic, who had no choice but to go forward from the inside. The blazing speed he showed was reminiscent of a past champion in the mighty Ghostzapper. For one so inexperienced to run though fractions of 22.4 and 22.48 against a seasoned Grade 1 field, was nothing short of breathtaking.

To then see off all but Sahara Sky, who just got the verdict by a nose, suggested we were witnessing a rare talent.

There is a downside, though. For a horse with so little seasoning to run so hard this early in his career, there is a chance that regression is coming.

The dark side has been witnessed by many horses at the highest level, and some just do not come back from the precipice. For the sake of a division sadly lacking in quality, let's hope that this isn't the case with Cross Traffic.

His next assignment, wherever that may be, should tell us everything we need to know.

A Majestic Kingdom

In recent years we have been served up an absolute treat to begin Royal Ascot. The opening Queen Anne Stakes, which was given Group 1 status in 2003, has now become almost the highlight of the entire meeting. From Goldikova to Canford Cliffs, and then the mighty Frankel, we have become used to the mouth-watering start of what is probably the World's greatest race meeting.

This year promises to be no different, as the incredibly versatile and high class US raider Animal Kingdom bids follow in the footsteps of those aforementioned stars.

It is extremely rare that a horse can be top class on both dirt and turf, but Animal Kingdom has proven to be exceptional, not just on those two surfaces, but also polytrack and tapeta. His roll of honour currently includes the Kentucky Derby and the Dubai World Cup, as well as a fabulous second to the best turf miler in America, Wise Dan, at last year's Breeders' Cup.

Indeed, some say that Animal Kingdom was perhaps unlucky not to trouble the winner more in the Breeders' Cup Mile, having suffered a bad trip, before finishing to good effect. Either way, that was a tremendous effort, given that he was coming back off a long layoff.

No stone has been left unturned by Animal Kingdom's superb trainer Graham Motion. The horse has been stabled in the UK since his Dubai win, and appears to be getting used to his new surroundings, and training regime.

The biggest stumbling block he may encounter is Ascot's straight mile. This is an alien configuration for an American horse, and Motion has been quick to return to the services of Animal Kingdom's Kentucky Derby-winning pilot John Velazquez, who not only knows the horse, but has ridden successfully on Ascot's straight course for Wesley Ward. This experience, combined with the fact that Velazquez is one of the World's best jockeys, should ensure that the big horse is given every assistance from the saddle.

What of the opposition? Well, at the moment the field is uncertain, though Godolphin's Farhh is prominent in the ante-post lists, after his demolition job in the Lockinge at Newbury a few weeks ago.

Make no mistake, this is a high class, if fragile horse, and would certainly provide stiff opposition to the US raider. There is a caveat here, however. Sheikh Mohammed now owns a share in Animal Kingdom. He may decide to run Farhh in the ten-furlong Prince Of Wales's Stakes later in the week. I think most observers would hope this isn't the case, though. So impressive was Farhh in the Lockinge, that a clash here would make for sensational viewing.

The rest of the opposition appear to have it all to do if the big two bring their A-game. The one with the most potential to trouble them appears to be the Ballydoyle-trained Most Improved.

He would be making his debut for Aidan O'Brien were he to turn up here, and could well live up to his name with the change of trainer and surroundings. His form from last year leaves him a little bit to find, but the gap is far from insurmountable, given normal improvemet from three to four, coupled with that fact that he is now handled by one of the World's best.

In just over two week's time, the Queen will arrive at Royal Ascot, and the great meeting will be under way.

Only then, will we find out if she will be overseeing a majestic Kingdom from the Royal Enclosure.

The Next Affirmed?

Here we go again, another year and yet another Kentucky Derby winner carries the burden of attempting to become the next Triple Crown winner. Not since Affirmed, way back in 1978, has the feat been carried off.

The gruelling schedule of three top class dirt races, over varying distances, in the space of just five weeks, seems to be coming ever more elusive for the modern, more fragile thoroughbred.

Step forward Orb, this year's Kentucky Derby victor, who attempts to defy recent history by winning the 138th Preakness Stakes and then going on to glory at Belmont Park just three weeks from now.

Racing a long way off a suicidal pace at Churchill Downs, this massive beast of a horse simply sluiced his way through the slop and drew away for a comprehensive win in the Run For The Roses.

Notwithstanding a premature effort by Normandy Invasion, there were no real hard luck stories as Orb stamped himself the best of his generation so far. The question now is whether or not he can go on to become the best of his generation full stop.

While history is not on his side, he does have a very stout pedigree by North American standards and the mile and a half distance of the Belmont seems absolutely made to measure for him.

But does he have the versatility to drop back in trip here and take the middle leg?

The pace in the Derby was very fast and doesn't figure to be quite as fast in the Preakness. Indeed, his rival jockeys will know that a fast pace will play to his strengths so may well not be in a hurry from the get-go.

Tactically, Orb has shown the ability to stalk in the past and it may be that rider of the moment Joel Rosario needs to have him a bit closer early than in the Derby.

His draw in stall 1 may not be ideal, though, and he could well find himself shuffled back to nearer last than first if not breaking alertly.

If this scenario unfolds and the big horse finds himself at the back of the pack while the race unfolds at a tepid pace, he could well be compromised.

Of course, all this is conjecture. If Orb really is the next Triple Crown winner, he'll be able to cope with whatever this particular race throws at him.

If he isn't as good as most of America is hoping, then the wait for Affirmed's successor is destined to go on.

For another year, at least.

Scarlet To Strike At Hollywood

In the week when it was announced that historic Hollywood Park is set to close it's doors, i feel it's only fitting that i should write about one of their races.

The Senorita Stakes is a Grade 3 event for three year old fillies, run on turf over a mile.

UK readers will perhaps be familiar with some of the names in this contest, as no less than four of the eight-strong field are ex-British runners.

Lilbourne Eliza, Disko Dasko, Need You Now and Charlie Em all showed smart form in Europe, without being anywhere near Graded Stakes-calibre.

Of course, things can change when European imports find themselves in sunnier climes, not least because the addition of Lasix tends to give their form a boost.

A quick glance at the BHA ratings of the ex-UK fillies tells us that they are pretty much well matched on that scale, though Charlie Em has yet to race in America, so may contain just a little more upside. She has to prove that she has acclimatised as well as the three other girls, though.

Lilbourne Eliza failed by just a nose to make a winning start to her American career, but now has to prove that she can cope with this step up in class.

Disko Dasko's best form was shown in France on heavy ground, something she is almost certain to not get here. Similar comments apply to Need You Now, who took a massive step forward on heavy ground at Newbury in October.

Both of these fillies have run creditably so far in California, without setting the World alight.

While European form is always a major consideration on turf in the US, these four fillies have a mountain to climb if they are to match Scarlet Strike.

Jerry Hollendorfer's versatile runner has Grade 1 placings on dirt and AW, and was victorious last time out on turf, in a Grade 3 event at Santa Anita.

While the step down in trip to a mile from a mile and an eighth won't exactly be in favour of this late-running daughter of Smart Strike, Timeform ratings tell us that she has somewhere in the region of five to seven lengths in hand of this field, if she performs anywhere near her best.

She will need some racing luck in a race that could unfold at a tepid pace, but she looks more than capable of taking this, before stepping up in class once again.

Anyone in the UK who wishes to watch and bet on the Hollywood card tonight, can do so at www.racebets.com.

Good luck if getting involved.

The Second Coming!

Welcome to my blog.

Some of you will have been here before, some of you will be visiting for the first time.

This is, in effect, the second coming of my blogging life. The first blog i wrote was very well received and became reasonably popular.

I have decided to revive it to indulge my passion for writing about horse racing and, in particular, the nuances and excitement of American racing.

Most of my posts will be about US racing, with race previews and insights.

There are a lot of people out there, especially in the UK, who would like to get more involved with American racing but would like some guidance and information to help them on their way.

Hopefully, the blog will help these people to find their feet and gain some more knowledge and insight into the US racing scene.

The blog will not just be aimed at the US racing novice, but the more experienced and professional punters too. Hopefully, there'll be enough to keep everyone interested.

Anyway, enough of my ramblings. Enjoy the blog and i shall endeavour to get my first proper article up as quickly as possible.

In the meantime, feel free to follow me on Twitter : @markmill_gg77.

Thanks for your support,

Mark