- The new Pro-Ride surface at Santa Anita is nearing completion and almost ready to test, reports Blood-Horse, and president Ron Charles is (surprise, surprise) feeling positive. "I couldn't be more optimistic," said Charles. "Time will tell." Anything has to be better than the disastrous Cushion Track installation that led to several lost race days last winter when the surface couldn't drain following heavy rain, a situation for which Santa Anita is suing Cushion Track and affiliates for at least $8.4 million in damages. The defendants filed motions earlier this week seeking dismissal of the lawsuit for a variety of legal reasons:

Reading that adds some credence to NYRA president Charlie Hayward's concerns about the thinly-capitalized start-up companies currently selling synthetics, expressed during last month's forum on all weather surfaces ...

- Magnificience worked four furlongs in :46.40 at Del Mar on Wednesday in preparation for the G2 Rancho Bernardo, in which the 4-year-old filly will attempt to redeem her first career loss, suffered in June when she finished second in the A Gleam Handicap at Hollywood. "We got killed with that start," said assistant trainer Karen Headley. "Hopefully, she comes back." Sunday will be a big day for the Headleys, win or lose, as the barn is also starting Surf Cat in the Pacific Classic and Arson Squad in the Pat O'Brien. "We're going into this with high hopes," said Headley, "[but] by 6 o'clock that night some could be shot down" (Daily Bulletin).

- "The rumor is true," the NTRA has created a marketing task force comprising a dozen "superfans" and horseplayers (including me) and given us the assignment of developing a plan "to market the sport to a new generation of fans"; a few of the task force members will be going to Vegas to present at the NTRA Marketing Summit next month. Discussion has so far been lively and many ideas have been thrown out to the group, but more are welcome, from everyone.

... are up, and it's a crackerjack 12-race card, with four graded stakes and only two state-bred events. Not to knock New York horses. Much conversation this evening at the Belmont Child Care Association Western Round-Up was about undefeated Finger Lakes gelding Tin Cup Chalice, winner of the Big Apple Triple Crown Challenge and a bonus of $250,000 when he gamely hung on by a head to capture the Albany Stakes this afternoon. Tin Cup Chalice went wire-to-wire, running the final eighth in :12.19 (and the final third in :36 flat) after a first half in :50.88 (not the sort of fractions usually seen on dirt), paying $6.70. Someone who saw the horse up close in the winner's circle reported his eyes were bloodshot, claiming that was a sign he truly did run his heart out; his determination is obvious enough watching the replay (CalRacing). Conventionally classier, and favored in the wagering, Big Truck (Tampa Bay Derby) and Icadad Crane (Tesio Stakes) finished third and sixth.

As for the benefit, it was the sort of evening that passed pleasantly in a haze of agreeable company and drinking. There was a line dancing lesson (in which I did not take part part), Eugene Melnyk and Leona and John Velazquez made lovely speeches honoring Tracy and Todd Pletcher for their support of the organization, and D. Wayne Lukas did an admirable job of auctioneering after dinner. Teresa was assiduously taking notes while I was fooling around with Twitter and chatting about Travers Week parties and Dubai with Mrs. Albertrani; for a full and detailed report of the event, best check Brooklyn Backstretch in the morning.

Back to the Travers: Turns out Tizbig, 30-1 on the Travers morning line wheeling back off six days rest, may not have been such a surprise when entries were drawn Wednesday (although Amped, third in the Walton, more than 12 lengths behind Mambo in Seattle, certainly remains one). Trainer Allen Jerkens and assistant were reportedly talking midsummer Derby last Sunday even as the chestnut colt cooled out from his second place finish to impressive Numaany in a nine furlong allowance. With no stars and no standouts in the 12-horse field (Pyro, in post 11, is the 7-2 morning line favorite, while Jim Dandy winner Macho Again is listed at 6-1), it's easy to see how a veteran orchestrator of upsets would be tempted to take a shot with a 3-year-old obviously fit and possessing some speed ...

That's how agent Jeff Smith remembers rider Parker Buckley, who died Tuesday afternoon following a training accident, to the Saratogian:

A former jockey with 947 wins and more than $9.2 million in earnings, Buckley, 40, was an exercise rider for trainer Steve Asmussen; Pyro was one of the horses he regularly rode. On Monday, while galloping a horse over Oklahoma, Buckley was thrown, or fell, from his mount. Accident details are sketchy. "I've heard all kinds of versions," said Asmussen, who declined to name the horse involved. What's not uncertain is that the respected Buckley will be missed. "Parker was very passionate about his job," said assistant trainer Scott Blasi. "He was a talented horseman."

- Linda Rice accomplished the improbable on Monday, sweeping the superfecta in the Mechanicsville:

There's a nice little twist to the story, as well, in line with all the other distaff news of late. Three of Rice's starters were fillies, including the winner, 9-1 Ahvee's Destiny (PDF).

- Curlin put in his final serious work for the Woodward on Monday (he'll have a maintenance breeze next week) and will school in the paddock on Thursday. Fans wanting to see the Horse of the Year will be given advance notice:

- The riding title race is tight heading into Saratoga's final act. On Monday, John Velazquez resumed the top spot with two wins, bringing him to a total of 22, followed by Alan Garcia, Edgar Prado, and Cornelio Velasquez, all with 21, and Ramon Dominguez, with 20. Velazquez has won three graded stakes, as has Garcia, while Prado and Velasquez have won one graded stakes apiece, and Dominguez, none. Robby Albarado, in a little slump these days and with nine wins total, does have two graded stakes wins, along with Julien Leparoux, who has a total of 16 wins.

- Trainer Dallas Stewart takes up blogging for the week.

- In one of those odd worlds colliding kind of moments (in this case, tech and racing), I learned yesterday that Gary Vaynerchuk, vlogger and hyperkinetic wine guy, will be in town this week to give a toast Thursday night at the annual Travers Celebration (which benefits the wonderful work of BEST) and to do a champagne tasting on the clubhouse porch Friday morning. Everyone really does pass through Saratoga, especially Travers week ...

Only two days after Proud Spell very likely clinched this year's filly championship comes the news that Genuine Risk, the champion filly of 1980, died in her Virginia paddock this morning. Genuine Risk won 10 of her 15 career starts, including the Demoiselle and Ruffian Handicap, and never finished worse than third (PDF), but what earned the chestnut mare with the distinctive blaze her fame was being the second filly to win the Kentucky Derby:

She remains the only filly to have finished in the money in every Triple Crown race, placing four lengths behind Codex in the Preakness after the colt drifted into her path in the stretch and carried her wide (a controversial finish some horseplayers are surely still nursing grudges over) and losing by a nose to 53-1 Temperence Hill in the Belmont. As usual, the Sports Illustrated Vault is a trove of good stories, including William Nack's recounting of the Firestones' delirious rush to the Derby winner's circle and the "talk show" that followed the stewards' decision to let stand the Preakness order of finish. William Leggett was on scene for the Belmont, an upset so shocking it hushed the crowd.

Genuine Risk was retired from racing in 1981 with an injury; she was not a successful broodmare (PDF), although she was, as Maryjean Wall recalls, "a very loving mom." Of her two living foals, Genuine Reward made it into training with Bill Mott, but both were unraced, and she was pensioned in 2000, kept in comfortable retirement by her doting owners.

- Final time for the Alabama was 2:04.08, the final quarter went in a reasonable :25.09, and both Proud Spell and Music Note earned a career-top Beyer speed figure of 101 for their game efforts. But while Music Note ran essentially the same race she did winning the Coaching Club American Oaks, Proud Spell progressed considerably from her hard-fought win in the Delaware Oaks last month. No question she showed greater tractability and gutsiness, but I do wonder how much Javier Castellano taking Music Note back early and then wide around the final turn affected the finish, given the "deliberate" fractions and the narrow margin.

Both fillies reportedly came out of yesterday's race fine, with Proud Spell and connections departing Saratoga early this morning for Fair Hill. "Right now, everything looks good," said trainer Larry Jones. "[Proud Spell's] back home and doing quite well" (ThoroTimes). Godolphin assistant Rick Mettee said that Music Note and third-place finisher Little Belle appear in good shape. "We're happy with them."

The Gazelle at Belmont has been mentioned as a possible next start for Music Note; the Cotillion Stakes at Philadelphia Park next month for Proud Spell. A meeting in the Breeders' Cup might not happen. Jones said he was "leery" of the Pro-Ride surface being installed at Santa Anita, and couldn't "see them settling [the Eclipse award] on an artificial surface," which makes what happened on Saturday all the more thrilling, especially those couple strides mid-stretch where it looked like Music Note might get by Proud Spell ...

- Numaany, who attracted attention and a bit of excitement last fall when he won a maiden special at Aqueduct after refusing to switch leads in the stretch, bolting to the outside fence, and nearly dumping his rider in the final furlong, returned to the winner's circle for the first time since that November adventure in the third this afternoon as the 5-2 second favorite. This time, no shenanigans, just a patient, ground saving trip under Castellano before drawing away to overtake pacesetter Tizbig by two lengths.

Proud Spell entering the winner's circle after the Alabama.

It was something to see trainer Larry Jones, waiting for Proud Spell to gallop out, with a quiver in his jaw, blinking back tears threatening to break. Photographers pressed and congratulations flowed; he paced in the Saratoga dirt and tried to smile. He couldn't stand still, he couldn't speak, his filly had won the Alabama and done so tenaciously, digging in to get to the wire first by a head over favored Music Note.

"If Eight Belles were here," said a reporter leaning against the rail, his back to the returning field, "this would have been her race. She was better than either of those fillies." Those fillies, so talented and fast, settling a championship over the track, still not enough to fill a gap in the division.

Jones strode toward Proud Spell, signaled to the groom to enter the winner's circle. Pictures taken, trophy bestowed, the filly unsaddled and led away, question time began. Jones could talk again, and he had praise for the beaten rival, for rider Gabriel Saez, and especially for the game 'Spell. "She shows up every time," he said. "This filly has been here all year. She was the first horse to beat Indian Blessing, who was the champion. She showed up for the Kentucky Oaks, she's still around for the Alabama ... in my mind, there's no doubt she's the best 3-year-old filly in the country."

What's next is uncertain. "We'll try to enjoy this win a little more than the Kentucky Oaks," Jones said, then paused, stumbled. "Because that got short-tailed ... we'll plan something for her later."

Proud Spell wins for two.

- Nice way to start a career: Former Dale Romans assistant Elizabeth Gray earned her first win as a trainer in race two this afternoon with 7-1 Obsequious, her second starter to date. The 2-year-old Fusaichi Pegasus filly making her debut was most admirable, snatching the lead early and dueling down the stretch with second-place finisher Abundantia. Final time for the 5 1/2 furlong MSW was 1:05.78.

- Honorable Miss winner Any Limit is out of next Sunday's Ballerina, due to a flare-up of an old injury. Trainer Allen Jerkens said the mare might be start next in the Gallant Bloom at Belmont.

- Random crack of thunder from one foreboding cloud. The Saratoga forecast does call for possibility of isolated storms this afternoon ...

- Champs Elysees and Red Rocks are scratched from the Sword Dancer, leaving Manhattan winner Dancing Forever the likely favorite and last year's victor, Grand Couturier, the wiseguy pick. But upset United Nations winner Presious Passion looks the sole speed in this paceless marathon and he should like the good (possibly soft) going, so I'll dub him today's longshot flyer (at 10-1 and up). [Results: The wiseguys were right, Grand Couturier repeats. And, said trainer Robert Ribaudo, "We're going to come back next year." Presious Passion set the pace, finished fourth.]

- Macho Again is macho. Or possibly, just crazy.

- Bit of an omnibus post this morning as I attempt to catch up on recent Saratoga racing, to which I have been paying much attention, but about which I have written woefully little. I blame the Spa. As I was saying to someone the other day, Saratoga takes you back 100 years in more ways than one. Internet what? But where actually being at the racetrack and lacking wireless access inhibits, technology finds a way: I'm sending out Spa updates daily via Twitter. (The news that Curlin was going to the Woodward and that last Friday's card was canceled was broken via tweet, and who else is dispensing this kind of handicapping advice?) You can follow along, by phone and web, by RSS, or by widget.

- It's a cloudy morning, but no rain yet, and there was only one light shower that passed through on Friday (and that was shortly before the eighth, which was run under a rainbow that arched over the grandstand and appeared to end at the tote board). Races might actually be on the turf this afternoon. [9:00 a.m. update: With rain forecast, races will be off the turf, except for the Lake Placid.]

- Music Note is entered in the Alabama, but still possible for the Travers, and the decision to keep the filly in or scratch her on Saturday might not come until the afternoon. Assistant trainer Rick Mettee said Godolphin was waiting to consider the weather and post draw before committing to either race. Trainer Larry Jones, meanwhile, is hoping for a rematch between the Mother Goose winner and Proud Spell, who finished second in that race, but is respectfully challenging. "We want another shot at Music Note since that Belmont [race] turned out so bad, but believe me, I'm not saying, 'Bring her on,'" Jones told Sherry Ross. And just to clarify an earlier uncertainty, should Music Note win the Alabama, she will not win the Filly Triple Crown, despite what was reported in this Post Star article.

- In the ninth, trainer Bill Mott debuts Evolutionist, a half-brother to Hopeful winner Majestic Warrior. The El Prado colt (coupled with stablemate Herr Mozart and MTO-only Stormalory) shows a record of steady works, but Mott remains winless with first-time starters at Saratoga, so Evolutionist may be one for the watch list or exotics, not a straight win. Todd Pletcher sends out Hype, a More than Ready colt out of 2-year-old stakes winner Western Woman. I'd post updated stats for both these guys, but Web Formulator isn't working for me today ...

- "I had a great trip," said Robby Albarado, explaining how he won the Special with buzz horse Run Away and Hide. Can't quibble with the rider, who settled his colt behind a wicked fast early pace of :21.66 and :44.80, saved ground along the rail, then drew away mid-stretch to a 1 1/2 length win (final time of 1:15.67, BSF of 93). Run Away and Hide is now 3-for-3 and boasts two graded stakes scores. "He's the pro tem Juvenile Champ, isn't he?", said one delighted connection in the winner's circle. "I mean, who else has accomplished that?" Well, let's not get ahead of things ... the Breeders' Cup is still nearly three months away.

- On Wednesday, 8-1 Mani Bhavan upset the Adirondack with a wire-to-wire run. The race, the same distance as the Special, returned a Beyer figure of 100 for a final time of 1:18.09. That's the best BSF assigned a juvenile at the meet so far. "She's a real horse," said trainer Steve Klesaris.

- I wish I had written this. Brilliant, Foolish Pleasure! Or this (DRF+). Thanks for pointing out what Jackson got wrong about synthetics, Brad Free.

... of Self Appointed Fan Committee reports, now available.

Funny Cide, the most famous stable pony in racing.

Mid-meet stats: Riders John Velazquez and Cornelio Velasquez are tied at 19 wins apiece, Eibar Coa follows with 14 wins. Edgar Prado has the distinction of being the rider with the most seconds, with 22 placings to 13 wins. On the trainer side, Todd Pletcher leads with 10 wins from 41 starters, Gary Contessa is second with 7 wins from 65 starters. By percentage, though, Tony Dutrow leads with his 87% ITM rate, thanks to a 16-6-3-5 record through the first three weeks, and Dave Duggan (as LATG pointed out) has four winners from nine starters plus a second and third. Onward, into the second half of the most glorious meet, to better weather and graded stakes galore.

Oh, impetuous Dutrow, you trash talked the wrong guy:

That would be fun (and a terrific way to close Saratoga), but don't expect IEAH to announce any change in plans for Big Brown. Michael Iavarone has said they're looking for a mid-September grass race (possibly an overnight stakes written by NYRA specifically for the Kentucky Derby winner, in which he would likely face a small field of overmatched allowance horses) and pointing to the Breeders' Cup Classic afterwards.

Update: And in fact, the Classic figures in the IEAH reply:

Unfortunately, Iavarone doesn't stop talking there.

The bizarre back and forth continues: Now Jackson says, meet us in the Jockey Club Gold Cup.

Last word: No way, says Iavarone, jokingly proposing a 3-on-3 basketball game to settle the matter instead.

So often, when the subject of mainstream media and racing comes up, it's because coverage is being cut at yet another newspaper. The Wall Street Journal is going in a different direction, at least for the Breeders' Cup, reports AdAge:

(The Breeders' Cup has been advertising in the WSJ online.) It is an ad section; the focus is advertising the Breeders' Cup and interested marketers, but expanded sports editorial gets a mention, so I think we can expect some actual Breeders' Cup coverage alongside the display ads ...

... from Saratoga to ask, what's going on at Del Mar? Jockey fights, kicking horses, drug positives, pot smoking ... at least that crowd of munchies-stricken Ziggy Marley fans helped buoy the bottom line.

Ventured to the backstretch earlier than usual this morning, arriving around 5:30 a.m., between rainstorms, to watch Curlin train, only to hear that the expected move had been canceled due to the weather and sloppy track condition. "I'm not going to work him," said trainer Steve Asmussen. "It's too wet." Turns out, the exercise was merely delayed, with the big chestnut working six furlongs in 1:14.62, in company with stablemate Hawaii Calls, over the muddy Oklahoma surface after the break. Curlin's final serious Woodward work is scheduled for next Monday, over the main track.

Also on the work tab was Pyro, second in the Jim Dandy, pointing to a start in the Travers. The 3-year-old worked six furlongs in 1:16.01 over the training track.