Notes - July 19

- Haskin wrote just yesterday that Any Given Saturday is likely for the Jim Dandy. But Pletcher told the Form that the horse is going to the Haskell. He and Any Given Saturday's owners, the WinStar Farm, chose the Haskell because it's a Grade 1 and its $1 million purse is double that of the Jim Dandy. The Haskell is a week after the Jim Dandy and just three weeks before the Travers, generally too short of a gap in Toddville to make both races.

So it looks like Curlin, Hard Spun, and Any Given Saturday at Monmouth; and Street Sense in the Jim Dandy, where he could face Tiz Wonderful and Nobiz Like Shobiz. The Derby champ blazed five furlongs in a Hard Spun-like 57 2/5 seconds at Churchill this morning; getting the last quarter in 22 3/5. Assistant trainer Ian Wilkes, speaking of the vacationing Carl Nafzger, said: “When I talk to him I’ll tell him the horse worked in 1:04.”

- Rail Link, the winner of last year's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, will be retired to stud with a tendon injury; that is according to the UK's Independent.

Bettors in the UK have apparently decided that Authorized will not run in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, as they have now made Dylan Thomas the betting choice, while the English Derby winner has drifted up from 7-4 to 5-2.

"If money talks," said Totesport's Damian Walker, "Then we won't be seeing the Derby winner at Ascot. He's friendless."
.....
A decision is likely to be made today as to whether Authorized will take his chance. The racing career of the Montjeu colt is now under the control of Sheikh Mohammed's Darley operation, which bought him as a stallion prospect after the Derby. "He's fine, and I'd like to run him," said trainer Peter Chapple-Hyam yesterday, "but I'm waiting to hear." [Independent UK]