Not Showing Up

- Some bad news, as the Form reports that Showing Up has a ligament tear and his future plans are uncertain.

"I'm not going to run him for three months," Tagg said...."I'm not even going to think about the Breeders' Cup; I'm not going to think about his year. I just want to get it better first. A lot of those things can heal up in three months. Maybe it will, maybe it won't, I don't know. We're going to give it every chance."

At least it sounds as if he will run again at that ripe old age of four at which others with a similar injury could be retired. Of course, with his rather obscure breeding, Showing Up probably still has to show up and race in order to enhance his value at stud.

And as expected, Nobiz Like Shobiz won't run in the Belmont, and Tagg will aim for the Dwyer instead. "If it were a walkover or a two-horse race, I would run." [Louisville Courier-Journal] As Jessica, posting regularly again over at Railbird said: Tagg's no fool. He knows his still maturing colt is no match for the likes of Curlin right now.

- Trainer Bill Kaplan told FOX Sport's Jerry Klein that Imawildandcrazyguy, who rallied nicely for 4th in the Derby, had the Belmont as his main goal all along, a line we've heard from many trainers of plodders in the past. "He needs 2 1/2 miles but he'll have to settle for 1 1/2."

- Invasor is preparing for his June 30 start in the Suburban Handicap at Belmont, and then perhaps will run only once more before the Breeders' Cup. Don't expect to see him run in the Hollywood Gold Cup that day instead. Sheikh Hamden al Maktoum, who operates Shadwell Stable, does not want his horse to run on a synthetic surface like Hollywood Park's Cushion Track. [SGVTribune.com]

- It's Friday, and people are still writing about NBC skipping out on their hockey telecast for a Preakness pre-game show which had a lot of content meaningless even for us racing fans. It could be the most publicity the sport has had since Todd Bertuzzi attacked Steve Moore. Perhaps the NHL had the right idea, and should always schedule playoff games three hours before something that the network has to switch to. The Anaheim Ducks and Ottawa Senators will play for the Stanley Cup starting on Monday, and here's hoping that the series creates some excitement on its own. I like the Sens in 7.