Slow Saturday

- Most of the Derby prep action takes place in Florida today; as I’ve mentioned, possibly more than once(it's a slow day), Sun King will go in the 10th race allowance contest at Gulfstream today. It’s a chance for Pletcher’s Monarch Lane (Maria’s Mon) and McGaughey’s Survivalist (Danzig) to prove their worth, but all they’ve beaten thus far is maidens, while Sun King has two close thirds in grade 1 stakes, so he really lays all over this field. Among those chasing him will be Bushwacked. He’s by Yes It’s True, out of Launch Site, think about that! At Tampa, Zito sends out Andromeda’s Hero (Fusaichi Pegasus) for his first trip around two turns in the Sam Davis, and he’s drawn the 12 post. Last year Zito sent The Cliff's Edge to the Sam Davis, where he started from post 11 and finished second at 1-2 odds before taking the Grade I Toyota Blue Grass two races later. [Louisville Courier-Journal

- In Maryland

Racing officials seemed almost shellshocked by the nail-biting narrow margin of victory, the pitfalls that remain before the bill would become law, and a last-minute amendment that inflamed a long-simmering dispute between the thoroughbred and standardbred factions.
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Although raising money to help racing was the original motive for considering slot machines, racing became less and less a priority as the debate raged on. Some legislators saw racetrack owners as rich and greedy, unwilling to help themselves before asking for a slots handout. [Baltimore Sun]

- Looks like at least 8 will go against Saint Liam in next Saturday’s Big Cap at Santa Anita.

Besides Strub champion Rock Hard Ten, the likely favorite, others who will probably run are Imperialism, Musique Toujours, Supah Blitz, Truly A Judge, Grand Reward, Island Fashion and Congrats. Island Fashion, a 5-year-old mare, ran second to Southern Image last year. A distaffer has never won the race. Saint Liam will try to become the first out-of-state shipper to win the Big 'Cap since Broad Brush came from Maryland in 1987.[LA Times]

Bobby Frankel says however that his G2 San Antonio Handicap winner Lundy’s Liability will probably go, though he doesn't sound confident. Not only is he [Saint Liam] the best horse, he hasn't missed any training," Frankel said. [Daily Racing Form]

- You know it’s a slow week when this makes the racing headlines: Kingmambo to miss a few days of stud duty with minor leg injury [Thoroughbred Times]

- Looking for the Forums at Thoroughbred Times? Well, it’s still there, somewhere, but it’s been turned into somewhat of a secret society. Editor Mark Simon advised users (the ones who could still find it) that due to incidents of “libel, rumor, and false innuendo” they are “evaluating any continuing involvement with the Forum.” Meanwhile, the links are gone from the website and you can only get on if you have a bookmark saved. NYRA completely shut down their forum recently for similar reasons.