US Racing / Editor / 17 August 2007 /

Joey Alphabet gives us the stateside view featuring races from Saratoga and Del Mar

When track announcer John G. Dooley called home Jambalaya first in the Arlington Million last Saturday history was made as the winner was trained by a woman for the very first time.

Catherine Day Phillips did have some ground concerns beforehand but Robby Albarado came with a storming run to wear down The Tin Man who was putting in a brave bid to win the race for the second year in a row .This victory gives all of us hope in hitting the jackpot because Jambalaya cost just $2500 as a yearling at the Keenland sales and to quote the trainer "It makes a very elite world seem accessible". The winner is now qualified for the Breeders Cup Turf and I think he is well worth his chance.

The race lost some of its lustre when the morning line favourite After Market was withdrawn due to the rain softened ground. As for the European challenge Doctor Dino finished third and Danak and Pressing finished second last and last respectively. When John Oxx was interviewed by the very talented Jeannine Edwards moments before the race on ABC he was so negative on Danak's chances due to the ground it did prompt me to place lay him for small money.

There were two other super Grade 1 races on the card at Arlington and Shamdinan finished like a rocket to nail Red Giant in the shadow of the post to win the Secretariat. The French riding sensation Julian Leparoux must have iced water in his veins with this brilliant ride. Adiralofthefleet (wearing blinkers) ran on late to finish fourth. In the Grade 1 Beverly D for fillies and mares, the Mike de Kock trained Iridescence was collared close home by Royal Highness who was ridden by local rider Rene Douglas in a thrilling finish.

Over at Saratoga in the Sword Dancer, Kentucky Derby winning rider Calvin Borel caused a major upset when beating English Channel on Grand Couturier There was no fluke about the result given his effort and he made up for some unlucky rides in the past with the win. Over on the west coast of America Medici Code won the Grade 2 La Jolla Handicap at Del Mar in what was a tricky and competitive event. You could have seen the winner in England in February of this year at Southwell.How fortunes change!

If you read last week's article you would recall me talking about Any Given Saturday demolishing his rivals in the Haskell at Monmouth Park and congratulating co-owner Satish Senan of Padua Stables on his success after having done so much for the sport he loves. Well I wasn't the only one impressed by this performance because I can reveal that Sheikh Mohammed's Darley operation has purchased this son of Distorted Humour in a private deal. He joins Street Sense and Hard Spun the first two home in the Kentucky Derby as high profile acquisitions for there US operation.

There is some outstanding action this week at Saratoga and Del Mar. The first of two Grade One events on Saturday is The Alabama and I will be backing Octave to take this and am hoping for a price around 2.0. I think this filly is not far behind the superstar Rags To Riches. This is a very good renewal with Tough Tiz's Sis and the Godolphin representative Folk who may finally be coming to her best. If you fancy a horse at a price you could do worse than her.

Later on at Del Mar, the ladies are still centre stage with the Grade One Del Mar Oaks over nine furlongs on the turf. This one is a real teaser but I am splitting my stakes between the ex-David Elsworth trained Passified and Supposition, who I think was a tad unlucky in the American Oaks last time out. Bobby Frankel is a master at winning these super tough events for Juddmonte Farms and this daughter of Dansilli is sure to go close.

On Sunday all eyes will be on the great Lava Man who tries to defend his title in one of my favourite races of the year in the $1m Pacific Classic Grade1 at Del Mar. This gelded son of Slew City Slew may not be the best horse I have ever seen but he is certainly the toughest. Last time out at Hollywood Park in the Hollywood Gold Cup he fought like a lion to retake the lead from the ultra game A.P.Xcellent in what was one of the most epic stretch duels I have ever witnessed. Tiago and Big Booster join those two in a 13-runner field. Every time I have opposed Lava Man he has beaten me so I am just going to have a little win and place on A.P.Xcellent at what should be a price of around 6.0 and sit back and enjoy. Please stay up and watch the race because they don't get much bigger than this.

Earlier in the first race I will be keeping my eye on Guilded who won the Queen Mary last year who has her first start for Paddy Gallagher who recently signed the purchase ticket for this daughter of Redback in The Viejas Handicap. Over a mile on the lawn. On the race before the Pac Classic there is a wide open renewal of the Grade Two Del Mar Mile Handicap. Two horses I like are Out Of Control who was a creditable second to the brilliant After Market last time out and Crossing The Line who is unbeaten since arriving from New Zealand. However this is a big step up in class so demand a big price win and place.

Finally I am sorry to have to end this article on a sad note but we lost two people from our sport this week .On Wednesday evening Louisiana Downs based lady Jockey Lucy Burch was tragically killed in a car accident. Lucy was only 28 and in the prime of her life. She rode her first winner just over six years ago. Earlier this week I was deeply saddened to hear that racehorse owner and entertainer Merv Griffin had died from prostate cancer. I was at Belmont Park on a crisp Autumn afternoon when Stevie Wonderboy won The Breeders Cup Juvenile. In February 2006 when the colt had to be retired due to injury, Merv called it "the saddest thing in my life". May they both rest in peace.

Former ESPN sportscaster Robin Roberts who now hosts Good Morning America recently announced she has breast cancer and is already back at work after undergoing surgery. Earlier this year I attended a great day's racing on the day before the Lockinge Stakes on the 18th of May as a guest of Betfair. They had generously sponsored a table and a lot of money was raised for Cancerbacup. A good time was had by all but this recent news has reminded me of how we must try to find a way to find a cure for this terrible disease. The bravery and courage of Robin Roberts is a inspiration to us all.

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